CMCC Infection Controland Prevention Guidance(2023-24)
Last updated August 14, 2023

Infection Control and Prevention Guidance 2023-24

INTRODUCTION
Infectious diseases are caused by pathogenic microorganisms, suchas bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi. These diseases can spreadfrom the environment or from one person to another resulting inillness in our communities.
This document is intended to provide advice on infection control and prevention in general at CMCC and will be updated periodically.
While COVID-19 remains a concern in Ontario, measures specific to COVID-19 are highlighted throughout.
No institution can completely eliminate all risks of exposure to an infectious agent. However, through the use of Routine
Practices and Additional Precautions, immunization, as well as guidance provided on specific communicable diseases fromgovernment and health authorities, we can reduce the risk in our community.
CMCC resources that complement this document are the COVID-19 webpage and Communicable Diseases policy.

This document is not intended to be legal advice or take priority over emergency or evacuation response
procedures.

Failure to abide by any one or more of the protocols
and obligations set out in this document may result,
without further notification, in disciplinary action,
3rd party action (i.e., enforcement agency) and/or
the issuance of a notice pursuant to the Trespass
Act of Ontario.

Practice Safe
Measuresp. 2

Infection Control and Prevention Guidance 2023-24

HIERARCHY OF CONTROLS
Most effective

Elimination
Substitution
EngineeringControls

Physically remove
the hazard
Replace the hazard

Isolate people from the hazard

Administration
Change the way people workControls
PPE

Protect the worker with
Personal Protective Equipment

Less effective

The hierarchy of controls is a step-by-step approach to eliminating or reducing workplace hazards.
It ranks controls from the most effective level of protection to the least effective level of protection.
When choosing a control method, start from the top of the inverted pyramid. Assess the feasibility of
the first layer of controls (elimination) before moving onto the second layer (substitution). Continue
this process until you reach the bottom of the pyramid and have identified as many controls as neededthat will adequately protect the worker from the hazard.

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Infection Control and Prevention Guidance 2023-24

IMPACT OF INFECTION TRANSMISSION
ON CAMPUS AND CLINICS
When high rates of infection
exist in the community there isa negative impact to activities
leading to:• High rates of absenteeism• Delayed learning• Loss in productivity• Loss in patient care
• Loss in social and recreational
activities• Anxiety

Ways to reduce the risk of infection spread in general:•Know what the symptoms are of the infectious agentand avoid coming to campus or clinic if you havesymptoms of any infectious illness or should beisolating.

•

Perform a health self-screen daily to make sure you
are not at risk or putting others at risk of infection.

•

Inform persons that you have been in close contact
with of your illness or symptoms.

•

Get tested to confirm infection and get treated if applicable.

•

Wear a mask.

•

Practice distancing and avoid crowds.

•

Disinfect your hands.

•

Speak with your doctor or public health if uncertain
about your condition.

•

Get outside and take care of your health.

•Consult with your Manager or Year Director regarding
CMCC policies and protocols. If you are a healthcare
provider, also refer to guidance from regulator(s) andthe Ministry of Health.

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Infection Control and Prevention Guidance 2023-24

HEALTH SCREENING
COVID-19 Health Screening is
mandatory for anyone entering
CMCC campus and clinics.
The screening questions are available on theCMCC app (Google or Apple store), publiclyavailable online and printed at each CMCC
building entrance.

Do not enter campus if any of thefollowing apply to you:
• You cannot pass health screening• You are experiencing symptomsof an infectious illness• You have been exposed to an
infectious illness and should
be isolating

Additional Measures if Required:• Active screening on campus.
• Attendance record keeping for Public Health.
• Employees work remotely unless deemed
essential to onsite operations.
• Restrict or delay non-essential activities.
• Use of Telehealth if patient appointments
must be restricted.
• Exposed close contacts or lab partners willremain home.
• Absence reporting related to infection.
• Support of testing measures for illness.
• Recommend vaccination for illness.
• Develop or modify existing policies.

Visit CMCC’s COVID-19 webpage for more informationp. 5

Infection Control and Prevention Guidance 2023-24

DISTANCING
Respiratory viruses are spread
mainly from person-to-person
through respiratory dropletsthat can travel up to twometres. Keeping a physicaldistance from others, wherepossible, is an extra measurethat can be taken to reduce therisk of respiratory illnesses,
especially for those at greaterrisk of serious illness.

Additional Measures if Required:

Here are some ways to practice physicaldistancing:• Reserve a spot if library or recreational facilities
are open.

• Greet others from a distance with a smile, nodor wave.

• Restrict access to some common areas.

• Entrances are assigned.
• Use of distance and traffic flow markers.
• Modify seating arrangements.
• Restrict some in-person activities.
• Restrict unessential gatherings.
• Assign lab partners/smaller class sizes/larger
learning spaces.
• Deliver online lectures and small group classes.
• Employees work remotely if not essential toonsite operations.

• Avoid trips during peak times, to limit contact
with large crowds.
• Avoid crowded stores and return when it is lessbusy.
• Consider curbside pick-up, if available.
• Connect with others online, by phone or outdoors.

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Infection Control and Prevention Guidance 2023-24

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE
EQUIPMENT (PPE)
Masks must be worn in theClinic treatment rooms, during
patient care, during close contact
with others in the Clinic waiting
area and diagnostic imaging
area. In all other spaces, masks
are optional however you areencouraged to refer to Public
Health recommendations onwhen to wear a mask.

Video Links
Medical Mask

Application and removal

Mask and Eye Protection

Application & Removal

GlovesApplication & Removal

Full PPE Sequence

Application & Removal
Print version

Additional Measures if Required:
PPE that is required on campus will be provided
by CMCC.

Accommodations and exemptions
are to be reviewed with Human
Resources and Student Services.

• Full PPE in alignment with IPAC measures for
person-to-person contact.
• Restrict or modify in-person activities.
• Assign lab partners.
• Have smaller class sizes.
• Use larger learning spaces.

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Infection Control and Prevention Guidance 2023-24

How to put on a Mask

Wash your hands
before wearing a mask

Locate the metallic
strip and place it on
the nose bridge

Secure the strings
behind your heador over your ears

Cover mouth and nose
fully making surethere are no gaps

Press the metallic
strip to fit the shape ofthe nose

Remove the maskfrom behind by holding
the strings with clean
hands

Dispose the mask ina closed bin without
touching the front

Wash your hands after
removing the mask

Do not touch the mask

Check the new mask
to make sure it is notdamagedReplace the mask ifgets soiled or wet

Proper side of themask must faceoutwards

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Infection Control and Prevention Guidance 2023-24

HAND HYGIENE
Hand hygiene refers to removing
or killing microorganisms (germs)
on the hands. When performed
correctly, hand hygiene is the single
most effective way to prevent thespread of communicable diseases
and infections. In health care,hand hygiene is used to eliminatetransient microorganisms that havebeen picked up via contact withpatients, contaminated equipment,or the environment. Hand hygiene
may be performed either by using
soap and running water, or withalcohol-based hand rubs.

Additional Measures if Required:• Place handwashing stations throughout campus.
• Use of disposal gloves for healthcare purposes,
disinfection or person-to-person contact.

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Infection Control and Prevention Guidance 2023-24

How to wash your hands (15-20 seconds)

1. Wet your hands withwarm water

2. Apply enough disinfectant
soap to cover your hands

3. Create a lather byrubbing your hands
together

4. Scrub your hands, front,back and inbetween yourfingers

5. Rinse the soap off withwarm water

6. Dry your hands with aclean towel

How to use hand sanitizer (15-20 seconds)

3. Rub in between andaround fingers

1. Apply 1-2 pumps ofproduct on dry hands

2. Rub palms together

5. Rub fingernails on palm

6. Rub each thumb clasped 7. Rub until dry
in opposite hand

4. Rub back of each handwith palm of other hand

8. Disinfected hands

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HVAC
Indoor air quality is regularly inspected at CMCC. Improvements to air quality are also provided throughthe use of portable ventilation equipment that reside in designated labs. While ventilation and filtration areimportant for overall indoor air quality as well as COVID-19 risk reduction, they must be used in conjunction
with all other public health measures to minimize transmission risk.

DECONTAMINATION
A regular cleaning schedule through Physical Facilities is maintained on campus and will be modified/increased as is necessary in response to infection prevention and control. Everyone on campus or in clinic
must ensure their workspaces, shared objects and equipment are cleaned before and after use.
Additional Measures if Required:• Disinfect high touchpoint surfaces daily.
• Close areas for deep-cleaning and ventilate where infection spread has occurred.

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Infection Control and Prevention Guidance 2023-24

CAMPUS ISOLATION PROCEDURES
If medical attention is not required, the person suspected, exposed or ill
should wear a mask and exit the building. Taking a private vehicle home isrecommended. In instance where campus isolation is required, follow thesteps indicated.
If urgent medical attention is required, call 911.
Steps to isolate a person on campus due to illness.
1. A faculty member or clinician can assist. Wear full PPE (gloves, disposable gown, goggles and a mask) andescort the individual to room 213 or 327A for assessment. Anyone entering the room must also wear gloves,disposable gown, goggles and a mask.
2. Conduct the Ontario Self-Assessment for COVID-19 if applicable with the individual to determine next steps.
Ensure the individual has a way to get home safely. In this instance Student Services or Human Resources canassist. If the condition is unrelated to COVID-19, the affected individual should seek medical attention for nextsteps.
3. Clinic in partnership with Human Resources or Student Services will initiate contact tracing to limit any
potential spread of infection on campus.

OUTBREAK MANAGEMENT AND CLOSURE
Confirmed or probable infection spread on campus may result in the full or
partial closure of the CMCC campus and/or satellite clinics at the discretionof public health. Areas may be cordoned off for decontamination creating atemporary cease to learning, treatment and work activities. In this instance,
one or more of the following may occur:• An email will be sent to the CMCC Community advising of affected areas if access is restricted.
• Students, employees, and patients will be asked to vacate the restricted areas by management onsite or Physical Facilities.
• Employees must be prepared to work from home until it is safe to return to work. Students will be provided make-up
time if learning activities are missed.
• Patient appointments will be rescheduled only when it is safe for CMCC to resume treatment activities.
• Other essential activities will be modified or postponed.

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CONTINUITY OF EDUCATIONIn the event in person learning has to be adjusted for enhanced infection
prevention and control, the following measures may be implemented andare subject to modification.

Group sizes may be adjusted with a determination made on mode of delivery as in person, online or hybrid
depending on risks associated with the type and spread of infection.
The Year III clinical interaction may occur via telehealth.
Year II & III External Observership Program may be completed through a reflection assignment.
Clinical grand rounds may occur through a virtual platform for Years I-III.

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Infection Control and Prevention Guidance 2023-24

CONTACTS
Human Resources

Sharlene Browne
Human Resources
sbrowne@cmcc.ca

Student Services

Patti Scott
Student Services
pscott@cmcc.ca

Joint Health and Safety

jhsc@cmcc.ca

AMENDMENTS

Updates to this guide will be outlined here

Date

Amendments

November 7, 2022

Mask protocol change, page 7

November 30, 2022

Update to Contacts, page 14

June 21, 2023

Update to Introduction, page 2

June 21, 2023Update to Health Screening, page 5

June 21, 2023

Update to Distancing, page 6

June 21, 2023

Update to Isolation, page 12June 21, 2023

Update to Continuity of Education, page 13

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