TBRHSC Outpatient Screening Policy

Patients arriving at any outpatient care area at TBRHSC. (including: Renal Services, Ambulatory Care, Cardiac Catheterization, Surgical Day Care, Paediatric Outpatients, Cancer Care, Diagnostic Imaging, Cardiorespiratory and Psychiatric outpatient) are advised via posted signs to self–identify to the reception desk or next health care professional they encounter, if they have cough or shortness of breath and are feeling feverish. Signs are posted at the entrance to and reception desk of each outpatient area.

The completed form is filed on the patient health care record.
Surgical masks for patients are stored at the reception desk
All patients are encouraged to use alcohol hand rinse from a nearby dispenser, as indicated on the sign

Outpatient FRI Screening Questions

Do you have a cough? or Shortness of breath?
Are you feeling feverish?
Have you travelled to the far east or asia in the past 30 days or have you been in contact with someone who has travelled to the Far East or Asia in past 30 days?
(* If yes, have you had contact with poultry or other fowl in the Far East or Asia?)

Procedure:

	When an outpatient self-identifies to staff with, or is noted to have, a cough and\or shortness of breath and feeling “feverish” (yes to questions 1 and\or 2 on screening form), the outpatient is instructed to don a surgical mask and clean their hands using alcohol hand rinse. If the person accompanying them has the same symptoms, they are also instructed to don a surgical mask and clean their hands. Staff will then complete the Outpatient Febrile Respiratory Illness surveillance form, documenting response to questions 1, 2 and 3. If patient answers YES to questions 1 and\or 2 and NO to question 3: Patient to wear surgical mask until placed in private room (if available) and is instructed to sit at least 1 metre from other persons. When patient is not wearing mask (in private room or 1 metre from other persons) all persons who enter room or are within 1 metre of patient must wear an N95 mask and face shield and follow routine practices if potential for contact with any body fluids. Completed screening form is placed on patient chart. If patient answers YES to questions 1 and\or 2 and YES to question 3: Patient to wear surgical mask until placed in private room (if available) and is instructed to sit at least 1 metre from other persons. When patient is not wearing mask (in private room or 1 metre from other persons), all persons who enter room are within 1 metre of patient must follow SARS\SRI precautions. Staff must notify Infection control immediately (0800-1600 hours Monday to Friday) or administrative coordinator on all other areas. Public Health will be notified by Infection control or administrative coordinator. Patient to be referred immediately to ER for further assessment.



	We urge patients, visitors and staff to clean their hands using the alcohol hand rinse.

For further information, please contact:

Hilary McIver RN, M.A. (Mgt)
Manager of Infection Prevention and Control
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre
980 Oliver Road
Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 6V4
Phone: (807) 684-6040
Fax: (807) 684-5878
Email: mciverh@tbh.net