COVID-19 and the challenges in homecare

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Today I am profiling one of the “forgotten,” but crucially important, health sectors: homecare. With hospitals geared to the pandemic, “decanting” less acute patients to their homes, and less able to attend to non-COVID conditions, homecare plays a central role in keeping persons in their homes and attending to their needs. However, like all community health services in our hospital-oriented health system, homecare is underfunded, neglected, and in pressing need of reform.

Update for nursing students – NCLEX Exam

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In order to respond to student inquiries -- about the NCLEX Exam, access to a Temporary License, and completion of clinical placements -- we have contacted the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO). They have advised that the NCLEX exam became available again on March 31st and more centres continue to become available as writing centres are able to open given current requirements for social distancing and cleaning. Students are registering to write the exam.

RNAO action – Supporting Long-Term Care

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RNAO is listening, anticipating and responding to the needs of the long-term care sector during this unprecedented time. All of the resources described below are available to anyone requiring them in the fight against COVID-19. Our deepest gratitude to the directors of nursing, attending NPs, medical directors, CNSs, RNs, RPNs, PSWs, and other workers in nursing homes and retirement homes, as well as our RNAO staff who are diligently and proactively supporting them, always and especially during the pandemic.  

Guidance on use of N95 mask

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We continue to receive messages from RNs who, in their judgment, require the use of N95 and are denied their use. The guidance, given the shortage of N95, is that they are specifically allocated for use in ICUs and mainly for aerosolized procedures. However, exceptions to this guidance should be recognized.

Celebrating Passover, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday and the start of Ramadan during a pandemic

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This is a special and meaningful time of the year for families; friends and communities who in normal times get together to celebrate. This time it will be different; as in so many other aspects of our life, everything seems to be changed – hopefully for not too long. We urge each of us – everyone -- to stay put in our homes.

Efforts to protect seniors

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April 2, we achieved an important breakthrough in our effort to protect residents and staff in nursing homes, residential homes and other institutions for seniors. Ontario Health Toronto is recommending that long-term and continuing care homes in the Toronto Region follow a policy of Pandemic Universal Masking for healthcare workers providing routine resident care.