WorkSafeBC Home

Establishing an Occupational Health and Infection Control Program in a Large Ambulatory Care Facility

This project aimed to develop and implement a comprehensive collaborative occupational health and infection control program, in a facility where there are multiple and adjacent employers, and where common receiving areas makes infection control difficult

The researchers created and implemented a workplace health and infection prevention and control program within a multi-partner, multi-purpose ambulatory (outpatient) healt care facility. To inform the development of the program, the research team conducted a literature review, a needs assessment, and an audit of cleaning practices. The program was developed in close collaboration with facility staff

Before and after the program was implemented, the research team conducted workplace assessments and surveyed staff about their infection prevention control knowledge, attitudes and practices. The researchers provide several recommendations for ambulatory healthcare facilities, based on the project findings

Principal Applicant: Annalee Yassi (UBC)
Co-Applicants: Elizabeth Bryce, Harro Lauprecht (UBC); Sydney Scharf, Linda Kingsbury (Vancouver Coastal Health)
Funding Awarded: $50,000 (Innovation)

Competition Year: 2008 File type: PDF (1 MB) Asset type: Research Research: RS2008-IG23