Our Mission

Simple Ways to Prevent Illness

Click to download 4 Simple Ways to Prevent Illness (PDF)

Infection Prevention And Control (IPAC) Committee

Purpose: As a component of VHA’s Infection Prevention and Control Program, the IPAC Committee shall consider, advise and recommend on health matters pertinent to infection prevention and control within and without the organization. The IPAC Committee reports to the VHA Board of Directors.

Specifically, the IPAC Committee shall:

• Review and make recommendations regarding infection prevention and control policies and procedures to specific services as required. This constitutes the on-going evaluation and continuous improvement of VHA’s IPAC program.
• Assess hand hygiene of staff and PPE products for use by staff.
• Review and make recommendations regarding surveillance for Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs) and Antibiotic Resistant Organisms (AROs) for education and/or research activities.
• Review and make recommendations on the surveillance for Occupational Illness within the workforce.
• Support the IPAC program by encouraging and building compliance with approved policies and procedures.
• Ensure that staff have the appropriate training and understanding of infection prevention and control.

The safety of clients, staff and visitors is of paramount importance to VHA Health & Home Support. A key element of our safety culture is the prevention and control of infection. We are striving to implement a full program of infection prevention measures through education and awareness campaigns.

Learn more about healthcare associated infection surveillance by visiting Ottawa Public Health and Public Health Ontario.

Hand Hygiene Compliance

Good hand hygiene plays a significant role in preventing the spread of infections. We encourage visitors and clients to regularly clean their hand, and we expect the same of our staff. Hand hygiene audits are conducted regularly as part of our commitment to client safety.

• How to handwash
• How to ABHR
• How to speak to Healthcare Workers about Hand Hygiene

Hand hygiene audits are conducted regularly as part of our commitment to client safety.

VHA staff work with client and families together to improve safety in every service.

How are we working with clients and families to improve safety?

Your healthcare providers are not the only ones responsible for ensuring your safety as a client/patient within the Ontario healthcare system. You are the MOST important member of the healthcare team.

Here are some things you can do to help ensure you get the best and safest care possible.

Maintain ‘Safe Space’

• Physical Safety – Ensuring that your home is physically safe for healthcare workers means it is also safe for you and your family. Make sure stairs, hallways and walkways are free of clutter, snow and ice. Pets should be secured in a crate, cage or other room.
• Psychological Safety – Stress, fatigue and workplace trauma caused by verbal and physical abuse, racism and sexual harassment all impact the mental wellness of healthcare providers. These factors contribute to preventable safety incidents, mental health issues and staff attrition, which compromise everyone’s safety.

Participate in Safe Transitions

Canadians want safe, high-quality healthcare closer to home. Care closer to home includes safe transitions across services – including from hospital to home. 

For people receiving in-person treatment in hospital, getting there and back can be challenging and pose risks at a time of significant stress. Better transitions to and from hospital are possible when clients and their healthcare providers are equipped with clinician-provided information that empowers everyone to manage your care safely after discharge. 

Let us help. Contact VHA to notify us of your hospital visit and ask the hospital to contact VHA to help with a smooth transition back home.

Create Safe Medication Habits

A. Organize your medication

If you are having problems remembering when to take your medications, talk to your pharmacist.

They can help you to:

• Create a list of medications. Keep the list with you at all times and show your healthcare professional.
• If you are having problems remembering when to take your medications, talk to your pharmacist. Blister packs act as a visual reminder of which medication is to be taken next and when.

B. Try to stick with one pharmacy

This allows your pharmacist to:

• Keep track of your current medications
• Get to know your personal preferences
• Assist you with any issues or concerns you may have

C. General medication safety

• Do not share your medications with friends or family members
• Follow all directions and warnings on the label
• Return all expired or unused medications to your community pharmacy so they can dispose of them safely.
• Store all medications in their original containers, out of reach of children and pets
• Do not mix different pills in one bottle
• Call your pharmacist or doctor if you experience any unusual side effects
• Double-check the imprints on tablets and capsules after getting refills
• Consult your doctor, nurse practitioner or pharmacist before purchasing over the counter medications, nutritional or herbal products as some have the potential to cause dangerous interactions with current medications