January 2018 Volume 23 ∙ Number 1

For Your Information News for Health Care Providers

Influenza Update

Peterborough Public Health declared a Community Wide Influenza Outbreak on January 4, 2017. For details, visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca .

Legal Cannabis is Coming: What Resources Do You Need? Peterborough Public Health is asking community partners what materials related to cannabis they need to help them in their work with those they serve. We especially want to hear from health care providers. Please take 30 seconds to tell us what cannabis-related topics you or your patients would find useful, and in which format. Click here for this brief survey. Survey closes Wednesday, January 31, 2018.

Check out the latest report by Peterborough Public Health on the impact of low-income and health.

Cancer Care Ontario has released its l atest report, Cancer Risk Factors in Ontario: Burden of Cancer Caused by Infections in Ontario available online at www.cancercareontario.ca This report describes the distribution of cancers associated with bacteria, parasites and viruses in Ontario. The report also quantifies the burden of cancer associated with these infections, and describes efforts and opportunities to prevent cancers associated with infections.

Syndromic Surveillance This report details trends in emergency department visits for respiratory, fever, and gastrointestinal symptoms, as well as local institutional outbreaks and school absenteeism. Find the most recent report here .

COURSES for Health Care Providers

Aboriginal Relationship and Cultural Competency Courses These 13 Aboriginal Relationship and Cultural Competency courses are designed to empower those working with First Nations, Inuit and Métis people with the knowledge needed to provide culturally appropriate, person-centred care. The information is relevant to all Canadians, as the courses promote greater awareness of First Nation, Inuit and Métis history, culture and the health landscape. Click here to learn more.

Do your staff reprocess equipment? The  Reprocessing in the Community course is intended for health care providers who perform reprocessing tasks (cleaning, disinfection and sterilization of reusable medical equipment/devices) in community settings. Go to Course ››

Infection Prevention and Control Core Competencies for Health Care Workers Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) core competencies are basic knowledge and skills all health care workers in Ontario need to possess about infection prevention and control, regardless of their role or position, education, experience or culture.      Go to Course ››

For Your Patients

Quit Smoking Programs Choose to be …Smoke Free , is a FREE tobacco cessation support program for individuals , that combines behavioural counselling and access to free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), made possible with funding from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.   Appointments are available until March 31, 2018 on: Mondays from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.; and Thursdays from 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Call 705-743-1000, ext 330 to book an appointment

Nutrition Screening For Toddlers and Preschoolers Nutri-eSTEP is a valid and reliable questionnaire that can differentiate between toddlers and preschoolers who are at risk for poor nutrition and those who are not. It takes less than 10 minutes for parents or caregivers to complete. Once completed parents/caregivers will receive immediate feedback on what is going well with their child and will get tips, and information about nutrition and physical activity to help build healthy habits with their child that will last a lifetime! Encourage parents and caregivers with young children to visit www.nutritionscreen.ca today! For promotional materials to help promote Nutri-eSTEP with your patients and families contact a Public Health Nutritionist at 705-743-1000. Parents and caregivers can also have their healthy eating questions answered by a Registered Dietitian by calling EatRight Ontario toll-free at 1-877-510-5102 or by emailing a Registered Dietitian by visiting www.eatrightontario.ca

Find the complete, printable version of this issue and past editions of the FYI Newsletter on the Health Care Professionals section of our website .