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Resources & Tools

Resources and Tools

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This risk assessment audit tool includes a template for long-term care, home care and community health support, and non-clinical areas.
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In long-term care it is increasingly apparent that who is on shift is just as important as how many staff are on shift. Quality care is difficult to achieve when we do not routinely engage with one another in a positive, or civil, manner.
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Guidelines and Regulations

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WorkSafeBC’s healthcare and social services planned inspection initiative focuses on high-risk activities in the workplace that lead to serious injuries and time-loss claims.
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WorkSafeBC is releasing a discussion paper with proposed amendments to the Current Rehabilitation Services and Claims Manual that guide wage rate decisions related to short-term and long-term disability compensation. Recommended amendments include: These changes may affect your claims costs. Click here to view the proposed changes and offer feedback to WorkSafeBC – The deadline is 4:30 p.m. on Friday, […]
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fEATURED tOPIC

Respiratory Protection

Respirators—such as N95s—are an important layer of protection against infection. Respiratory hazards can include airborne contaminants, such as biological contaminants, dusts, mists, fumes, and gases.

N95 respirators are recommended by Health Canada for use by healthcare workers in contact with patients with infections that are transmitted from inhaling airborne droplets. It is important to understand the benefits and limitations of each type of respirator.
 
Respirators must be fitted to the face appropriately for a good seal to be effective. Fit testing staff is a leading practice, and supported by occupational health and safety requirements, as it allows staff to use respirators when hazards or outbreaks occur. All staff who provide care to residents should be fit tested in case a risk assessment determines that a fit tester is needed. For example, if there is an infectious disease outbreak, or a toxic spill. You may consider adding fit testing to your regular orientation process to help ensure that our organization is prepared, in the case that it is needed.

Respiratory Protection

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Surgical masks and respirators are different types of personal protective equipment. Healthcare workers wear surgical masks as part of their personal protective equipment; however, these are not respirators and are not certified as such. The decision to wear a mask versus a respirator should be based on a risk assessment of the specific work environment.
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If your organization uses N95 respirators, staff will need to be fit-tested to use them safely. This means making sure the respirators have been tested to ensure a full seal before they are used so that the staff using them are properly protected.
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Respiratory Protection resources

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We strive to empower those working in the continuing care sector to create safer, healthier workplaces by fostering a culture of safety through evidence-based education, leadership, and collaboration.
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