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Current situation
As of today, April 7, Nova Scotia has 310 positive cases of COVID-19 in people ranging in age from under 10 to over 90.Eleven individuals are currently in hospital and 66 individuals have recovered. There have been 10,621 negative test results. Testing numbers are updated daily at https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus. While most cases are connected to travel or a known case, it is now known that there is community spread. Read full news release. A map and graphic presentation of the case data is now available at https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/data.
Nova Scotia has also recorded its first death related to COVID-19. On April 6, a woman in her 70s with underlying medical conditions died in hospital in Eastern Zone as a result of complications related to COVID-19. Read full news release.
Our response
CEO Message: Change in masking practice
On April 7, NSHA President and CEO, Dr. Brendan Carr shared a message with staff and physicians about a change in masking practice. With community transmission of COVID-19 evident, we can anticipate that more patients and health care workers will be exposed to the virus, both in the community and at work. To help protect staff, physicians and patients, health care workers who work in patient care areas will be provided with a surgical or procedure mask to wear at work as of this afternoon, April 7. Please see below:
- a detailed message for staff about the new masking practice
- a frequently asked questions document
- donning, doffing and storage of healthcare worker procedure mask (video)
N95 clarity – In the change in masking practice email message sent earlier today, there was an omission of information around N95 use. The reference should have read: “We do want you to wear an N95 for an aerosol generating medical procedure when the patient has been previously identified as having suspect or confirmed COVID-19. This information should be clearly indicated on the patient’s chart. There are very few of those types of procedures. Some examples are intubation, extubation and bronchosophy procedure.” We apologize for the earlier omission and any resulting confusion. We have updated the written message online to ensure this clarification is reflected. Read Dr. Carr’s full updated message and watch his video messagefor more information.
Stanfield’s Limited of Truro to produce protective gowns for NSHA health care workers
NSHA has signed a contract with Stanfield's Limited of Truro to purchase protective gowns for health care workers in the province. Production is beginning this week with the first gowns to be delivered the week of April 15. The company is recalling more than 70 workers today, April 7, and has a call to the community for workers hoping to double output within a matter of weeks, said Jon D.F. Stanfield, president and CEO, Stanfield’s Limited. The factory will be reset to accommodate 72 people per shift for two shifts. Read more.
SIMS update
Effective April 7, 2020, the following COVID- 19 locations have been added to SIMS for incident reporting:
NSHA SIMS COVID 19 locations
Central Zone SIMS COVID 19 locations
Eastern Zone SIMS COVID 19 locations
Northern Zone SIMS COVID 19 locations
Western Zone SIMS COVID 19 locations
When filing reports please ensure that the correct location is chosen so appropriate follow-up can occur. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out to your local Risk Leader or contact Rochelle Currie, NSHA Lead - Patient Safety, @email.
Closing the door on germs
Thousands of people, including staff, access our facilities across the province each day. Elevator buttons and door handles, whether at entrances or stairwells, are high touch surfaces. Remember to clean your hands with either alcohol based hand sanitizer or soap and water after you touch any high touch surface. Many doors, including stairwell doors, cannot be left open due to fire code requirements. Entrances that lead outdoors must also be kept closed so unwanted guests, like rodents, cannot gain entry to our facilities.
Updated link to palliative care visitor criteria
In our last update, we shared an item on updated palliative care visitor criteria. The link in that item took readers to outdated information. That link has been updated and can be found here. Sorry for any confusion this may have caused.
Visitor restrictions reminder
NSHA has put visitor restrictions at all its facilities to limit the spread of respiratory illness, including COVID-19. No visitors, for either patients or staff, are permitted in any NSHA facilities except in compassionate and supportive situations in consultation with the care team. In some of our facilities, we are seeing visitors bringing items to reception areas for patients and staff. People working in reception areas are not to touch any items. Instead, they can call the floor or unit to ask a staff member to pick up the item.
Change to 811 online screening protocol
Now that community spread is present in Nova Scotia, travel has been removed as a requirement to be referred for testing for COVID-19. An assessment is still required through 811, which will refer you to an assessment centre, if required. Visit https://811.novascotia.ca/ for more information or to complete the online assessment tool.
Long term care directive issued
On April 6, Dr. Robert Strang, chief medical officer of health, announced a directive for the long term care sector, clarifying expectations related to COVID-19. The CCIR and directive are attached, and the directive has been added as a schedule to the Order of the Chief Medical Officer of Health and will be posted online atnovascotia.ca/coronavirus.
Tips on using the COVID-19 Hub
We appreciate those staff and physicians who took the time to provide us with feedback about the COVID-19 Hub. We have carefully considered your feedback, and are working to make improvements to the site. Here are a few changes you’ll see today, and you can expect more over time:
- A new “All Staff Information” page has been added, which will contain important information for everyone including those who work in clinical, non-clinical and other support roles.
- Two new sections will appear on every page:
- Employee and Physician Supports — This section will make it easier to find important information about wellness and the resources that are in place to support you and your staff as we all work through these stressful times.
- Operational Information — This section will make it easier to find resources around IM/IT processes, finance information, business continuity plans, and other resources to help navigate day-to-day operational needs.
A quick guide to the COVID-Hub, including how to access it directly from a mobile device has been developed. Please share this document, Tips on Using the COVID-19 Hub, with staff and physicians. We hope these changes will help everyone easily access important information on the COVID-19 Hub, as you continue to make significant contributions to the health and wellness of Nova Scotians.
Occupational Health/People Services
Employee Supports – Care for the Caregiver
While you work so hard to keep patients and families, our workforce and the workplace safe and healthy for all, our organization acknowledges this commitment and feels it important to provide you with opportunities and resources to check in on your personal well-being and emotional health during these uncertain times. Beginning today, and on each Tuesday hereafter, the Care for the Caregiver newsletter will be available for all employees. This weekly publication provides you with an update on resources available for all staff. Please print this newsletter and post in staff areas, take a photo with your phones, and when ready, access the resources provided.
Updated Occupational Health information & guidelines for NSHA healthcare workers
We continue to receive many of the same inquiries and feel it is important to reinforce some commonly asked questions along with their answers. The updated guidelines arehere.
New/Updated guidance documents and resources
COVID 19 Assessment clinic cost centres (April 7, 2020)
Finance COVID-19 FAQ (April 7, 2020)
NSHA Payroll Recording for COVID-19 staff deployment (April 7, 2020)
Primary Assessment Site Information(April 7, 2020)
Hearts for health care
We’ve been hearing some truly positive and up-lifting stories these past weeks, and we wanted to take this opportunity to share some of them with you.
“Thank you all for your tireless dedication...Stay Safe!”
“To everyone sacrifices so much to save so many, thank you from the bottom of our hearts! We were so honoured to add some sweetness to these trying times and ship to hospitals across Canada. Dr. Howard and Dr. Sullivan at St. Martha’s Hospital in Antigonish sent us this.” – Peace by Chocolate (Thank you Peace by Chocolate for this kind message and thoughtful gesture.)