Distributed by e-mail March 27, 2014
This update provides information on the following:
- Influenza B activity continues
- Prescriptions for birth control pills filled at the Sexual Health Clinic
- Reminder to report animals bites and other contact that could result in rabies transmission
- Reminder about mask fit testing being offered by the Health Unit
1. Influenza B activity continues
We are seeing a late season upsurge in influenza B. Our weekly Influenza Surveillance Report can be found on our website at https://www.healthunit.com/influenza-surveillance . Appendix B contains an epidemic curve which highlights the recent influenza B activity.
2. Prescriptions for birth control pills filled at the Sexual Health Clinic
This information applies to health care providers whose patients fill their birth control prescriptions at the Sexual Health Clinic.
These prescriptions are filled by Public Health Nurses at the Clinic. The College of Nurse’s has changed their requirements for medication to be dispensed by a Registered Nurse. The prescription must contain the following information: order date, client name, medication name, dose, route, frequency, quantity, purpose and prescriber’s name, signature and designation. Most of the above information is usually on the prescription.
- The new piece of information required for the nurse to dispense is the “purpose”.
Although this is relatively obvious, when prescribing birth control, the prescription will need to state that the purpose is “for birth control”. We understand health care providers have very busy practices and clinics, and hope that adding the purpose to the prescription will not cause inconvenience. Unfortunately, if the purpose is not on the prescription, the nurse will need to contact the practice/clinic requesting that information before we can dispense the medication. We appreciate your understanding and assistance with this change.
Additional information about filling birth control pills at the Sexual Health Clinic can be found on our website: https://www.healthunit.com/birth-control-pick-up-and-purchases
3. Reminder to report animal bites and other contact that could result in rabies transmission
The following document contains a reminder regarding the requirement and process to report animal bites and other animal contact that could potentially result in rabies transmission.
4. Reminder about mask fit testing being offered by the Health Unit
By Patricia Simone, Manager, Emergency Preparedness
Just a quick reminder that the Middlesex-London Health Unit is now offering fit-testing for masks (i.e. N95 or P100 respirators) to health care providers and others who may need this service. Fit testing is a Ministry of Labour requirement for health care workers under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Fit testing can be arranged at a monthly clinic held at the Middlesex-London Health Unit at 50 King Street or at an off-site location such as a workplace. Please see the Fit-testing Brochure and 2014 Fit-testing Schedule for additional information and/or contact the Health Unit at emergency@mlhu.on.ca or Marilyn Ashworth at 519-663-5317 ext. 2539. Additional information can also be found on the Middlesex-London Health Unit's Fit testing web page .