The Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) released an updated version of Directive 5 that applies to public hospitals, long-term care homes and retirement homes.
The updated Directive enhances required health and safety precautions in these settings to reduce the risks to patients and workers associated with a second wave of COVID-19. It applies to regulated health professionals and health care workers, and will ensure that higher forms of precautions (N95 respirators) are available when needed.
Kinesiologists working in these settings should review the entire Directive. Additional guidance under Directive 5 involves:
- reinforcing the responsibility of public hospitals and long-term care homes to ensure that personal protective equipment (PPE) and related training is readily accessible.
- providing clear guidance that (PPE) is to be provided to all regulated health professionals and other health care staff working on the front lines. In the case of contact with a with a suspected, probable, or confirmed case of COVID-19 in a patient or resident, and if in their clinical judgement an N-95 may be required, the hospital or long-term care home must provide the appropriate equipment.
- requirement for regulated health professionals to conduct a point of care risk assessment before any patient or resident interaction.
View the updated Directive 5 and the Directive 5 Qs & As for more information.