Member, Provincial Infection Prevention & Control Framework Reference Group

There is a growing recognition of the importance of infection prevention and control, especially in light of high profile threats like SARS, H1N1 and Ebola. To ensure BC is prepared for emergent and routine infectious diseases, the Ministry of Health is seeking patient partners interested in supporting creation of a new Provincial Infection Prevention and Control Framework!

Open to: Patient partners across the province

Lead Organization or Department

Population & Public Health, Ministry of Health

Aim

The Provincial Infection Control Framework Reference Group is a time-limited body that will provide expert advice to inform the creation of a comprehensive Provincial Strategic Framework that will enhance infection prevention and control efforts in BC. The Framework will identify priority actions including some that will directly involve patients and the public in breaking the chain of infection through education and outreach. Patient partner involvement will assist the group to ensure that the Framework is reflective of the needs of patients and the public.

Level of Engagement

This opportunity is at the level of involve on the spectrum of engagement. The promise to you is that the health care partner will involve patients in planning and design phases to ensure ideas or concerns are considered and reflected in alternatives and recommendations.

Eligibility

• Curious and interested in preventing infections in health care. Participation in this group may be particularly interesting for people who have experience with infection prevention & control practices as a patient or family member, however, this experience is not required.
• Comfortable participating in a committee or working group settings, including sharing lived experiences to assist others to more fully consider the impact of a decision on patients.
• Ability to use personal experience constructively to contribute to big picture problem solving.
• Willing to contribute to discussions that impact a broad range of health services (residential care homes, hospitals, clinics, etc) and consider the impacts of recommendations on patients.
• Comfortable communicating by teleconference and email with senior leaders.
• If you have a strong interest in this work but have not yet completed a PVN orientation and Volunteer Agreement, are unsure if your experience is a good fit or feel another format of engagement would work better with your availability, please contact Leah Smith directly.
• Note: The placement process for this opportunity will include an informal interview between the patient partner and the health care partner.

Logistics

• Vacancies: 2
• Date and time: Meetings will be held on a monthly basis during regular business hours. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, December 7 from 9:30 to 11am.
• Location: Teleconference.
• Commitment: This is a time-limited project. It is expected that the Reference Group will have fulfilled its mandate as of June 30, 2018. Meeting materials will be provided in advance of each meeting and will take approximately 1-2 hours to review.

Reimbursement

No expenses are anticipated for this opportunity.

Background

Infection Prevention and Control is dedicated to preventing infections that can be picked up within health care facilities, like hospitals and residential care homes. You may have noticed signs requesting that patients, families and staff wash their hands when entering a hospital; this is an infection prevention and control practice! The Reference Group will be co-chaired by the Ministry of Health and the Provincial Infection Control Network of British Columbia, and will include executive representatives from all health authorities. The work of this time-limited group will focus on the creation of an Infection Prevention and Control Framework that will make health care safer for patients, families and health care providers. The Reference Group will provide:

• Advice on Framework themes and strategic priorities;
• Advice on a stakeholder consultation process;
• Feedback and guidance on drafts and the final Framework document;
• Feedback and guidance on a Framework communications plan; and,
• Feedback and guidance on Framework implementation and evaluation.

Health Care Partner Contact Information

Leah Smith
Engagement Leader, Patient and Public Engagement | Southern Vancouver Island
778.678.3977
lsmith@bcpsqc.ca