Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Further to our last communication and the recent OMA email, there is a
new process for PPE.
For more information on PPE ordering and supply in the Ontario Health West region, please visit
hmmscovid19.ca
URGENT PPE shortages
Submit your request through the
Ontario Health West Portal
to your local PPE Hub -- select your region and then 'primary care' in the appropriate drop-down box. A three-day supply of PPE will be provided based on availability of supply. You may have to complete a waiver if you are requesting gowns.
If you receive a response saying "request declined"
: this is for internal inventory communication that allows the central virtual warehouse to track inventory that needs to be sent to the Hub.
Since our Hub is also storing a limited supply of Donated PPE, the Hub volunteers will contact you immediately if
Donated Supply
is available.
Please note: PPE Hub Volunteers will do their best to ensure that you do not run out of PPE.
For Non-Urgent PPE needs
(i.e., running low but not critical), please try going through your usual vendors to obtain supplies. If unsuccessful, then submit a request to the
Ontario Health West Portal.
Reminder: Mandatory Reporting of PPE Inventory to MOHLTC
Anyone providing health care or social services requiring PPE must report their inventory levels daily to the Ministry of Health by completing the
Ontario PPE Survey
(password: PPEsurvey2020). Please follow these
instructions
.
Reporting of PPE to the OMA
The OMA asks you to respond regularly to the
OMA PPE Survey
so they can continue to effectively advocate on your behalf to access PPE for community-based physicians.
Using PPE
Community Donations of PPE
Please direct any donated PPE supplies to our local hub to ensure it becomes part of the "Donated PPE Supply" for community providers. Drop-off information can be found
here
under "How to Donate"
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Clinical Information
- Palliative Care Update: the Oxford Palliative Care Outreach Team (PCOT) will be partnering with Oxford EMS to create a community paramedicine outreach response for patients with comfort-focused goals of care requiring symptom management at home. More information on how primary care practitioners can work with EMS and our PCOT physicians will be sent out at a later date.
- Most frequently updated testing criteria from the LHSC Pathology and Laboratory Medicine department at LHSC. Bookmark this for later reference!
- Southwest Musculoskeletal Rapid Access Clinic (Low Back Pain): Emergent and urgent referrals should be directed to the emergency department and/or a surgeons’ office for further screening and evaluation. RAC appropriate individuals can be referred through the usual process, as the central intake office is fully staffed and functioning. Read more here.
- Here are two patient handouts for low back pain:
- low back pain with extension
- low back pain with flexion
- Pharmacotherapy update - includes drug substitutions in case of shortages -- inhalers, salbutamol back order (from Thames Valley FHT pharmacists).
- Contraception and Abortion are considered essential services during a pandemic. See these resources on access to and provision of Contraception and Induced Abortion (including updated protocols for Medical Abortion virtually if needed).
- Canadian Thoracic Society (CTS)
- Position statements on asthma and COPD address therapeutic questions to help you optimize the management of your patients during COVID-19.
- COVID-19 resource website gives you free access to information, guidelines, position statements, education and training materials, wellness resources and more.
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Important Numbers
CONTACT INFORMATION for Assessment Centres + Mobile Swabs:
(not for general public - you or your staff must call and arrange!)
- Woodstock Hospital Assessment Centre: 519-421-4275
- Oxford EMS mobile swab unit: 519-852-4553 or send secure email to mobiletesting@oxfordcounty.ca (please reserve this resource for frail or vulnerable populations who may not be able to easily get transportation to the Assessment Centre)
BILLING
- You can now bill the Virtual COVID-19 Fee Codes and for work in an Assessment Centre!
- Claims for services using these fee codes (K080A, K081A, K082A, K083A, H409A and H410A) can now be submitted for services provided on or after March 14, 2020. Please note that physicians rendering services at the Designated Assessment Centres are required to submit their claims (H409A, H410A) in conjunction with the group number that can be obtained from their assessment centre administrator.
- For more information please see the OHIP Info Bulletin
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Patient Resources
MENTAL HEALTH
- ReachOut 24/7
- For mental health and/or addictions information, support and crisis services, patients can call 1-866-933-2023 or web chat at http://reachout247.ca
- Patients who need someone to talk to, are feeling stressed, overwhelmed or lonely can call the Support Line – 519-601-8055.
- Walk-in counselling options in Oxford
SOUTHWEST SELF MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
- The Southwest Self Management Program has moved all its patient programs and groups online. Patients can browser and self register at www.swselfmanagement.ca
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Self-Care for Family Physicians
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