Dear , Join us next Tuesday April 27th at 8PM for our monthly Facebook Live where we share updates and discuss trends impacting RPNs.Tune in at facebook.com/wearepracticalnurses
RPN Participants Needed for Research on Resilience in LTC
WeRPN and Western University are looking for volunteers to take part in a research study to describe the process of how RPNs build and sustain personal and professional resiliency during a crisis such as COVID-19.
RPNs who meet all the following criteria are invited to participate:
Have worked and/or are currently working as a registered practical nurse in a licensed long-term care home in Ontario anytime between January 1, 2020 to present. Note: Does not include rest/retirement homes, hospice, group home or any other congregate setting
If you are interested and agree to participate you would be asked to: complete a 30 minute online survey that includes demographic questions and questions about stress and resilience during COVID-19.
You will also be given the opportunity to volunteer for an optional virtual follow-up interview with a research team member.If you choose to participate in the interview, you will be compensated for your time.
May 3rd - 10AM- CNO Webinar: Changes to Medical Assistance in Dying law The federal government recently passed Bill C-7 to amend the Criminal Code. This Bill introduced changes that have expanded the eligibility for Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID). This webinar will cover how they changes affect NPs who provide MAID and the the role of RNs and RPNs who support patients in the MAID process. Register Here
Key Provincial Updates and Resources for Health Professionals
This week, the government announced that they will offer 24/7 COVID-19 vaccinations for individuals aged 40 and over at 20 pharmacy locations, with the majority located in hot spot communities. When the province begins to receive more vaccine supply from the federal government, it will expand 24/7 COVID-19 vaccinations to additional hot spot areas.
Peel Public Health also announced it will issue an updated Section 22 Order on workplaces (Class Order for Workplaces with COVID-19) that will direct all
businesses with five or more cases of COVID-19 in the previous 14 days to close for 10 days where:
The cases could have reasonably acquired their infection at work, or
No obvious source of infection has been identified outside of the workplace.
Also, Toronto Public
Health announced it will issue a Section 22 order for workplaces and will be used as a tool to break the chains of transmission within Toronto workplaces where COVID-19 is determined to be spreading.
The Ontario COVID-19
Science Advisory Table released a brief entitled Fighting COVID-19 in Ontario: The Way Forward, outlining 'six things' that will reduce transmission, protect the health care system, and allow
for safe re-openings as soon as possible.
In order to preserve system capacity to deal effectively with COVID-19, CMOH Directive #2 has been updated and requires all non-emergent and non-urgent
surgeries and procedures to cease, with the exception of surgeries and procedures performed in pediatric specialty hospitals. Emergent and urgent surgeries will not be impacted. All patients should continue to have access to other health services, including services that are peripheral to surgical services.
The government has updated the following documents:
On Friday, the government announced that it was strengthening enforcement of the province's Stay-at-Home
order while imposing new travel restrictions and further strengthening public health measures. This included:
Prohibiting all outdoor social gatherings and organized public events, except for members of the same household or one other person from outside that household who lives alone or a caregiver for any member of the household;
Closing all non-essential workplaces in the construction sector;
Reducing capacity limits to 25 per cent in all retail settings where in-store shopping is permitted. This includes supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, indoor farmers' markets, other stores that primarily sell food and pharmacies; and,
Closing all outdoor recreational amenities, such as golf courses, basketball courts, soccer
fields, and playgrounds with limited exceptions.
The government placed restrictions at the borders of Quebec and Manitoba.
On the weekend, following public outcry, the government announced it would not be extending police powers to stop and question individuals or motorists and would be allowing playground to remain open.
As of 10:30AM today, Ontario reported 432,805 confirmed cases (increase
of 3,682), 383,041 resolved cases, 7,829 deaths.
The Ministry was also reporting that 2,350 patients are hospitalized with COVID-19, 806 are in ICU and 588 are vented. To view these additional details:click here Click Here to read the latest Ministry of Health Daily Report
World Health Organization Situation Reports are also available here
In the News For an interactive map tracking all cases across Canada and internationally, click here
Below are some key stories from today that may be of interest to
our members
We will continue to monitor this situation and keep you updated as more information becomes available. Thank you for the important work that you're doing and the sacrifices you're making to keep Ontarians safe. We appreciate everything that you're doing each and every day.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact Tiff Blair at tblair@werpn.com
Sincerely,
WeRPN Team
WeRPN 5025 Orbitor Drive Building 5, Suite 200 Mississauga, Ontario L4W 4Y5
