Peterborough Blogs
Campbellford Memorial Hospital Applying Additional Visitor Restrictions In Response to COVID-19 Outbreak
/With continuing challenges by the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak within their Inpatient Unit (IPU), Campbellford Memorial Hospital (CMH) is adding additional measures to ensure the safety and well-being of our patients, staff and visitors effective immediately.
Further restrictions are applied to visitation to the Inpatient Unit. Until further notice, only one individual, classified by the patient as an essential caregiver, will be permitted to visit patients in the Inpatient Unit.
The hospital considers caregivers as individuals crucial to the patient's well-being, providing support that contributes to their assessment, diagnosis, physical and mental health during their hospital stay. These individuals offer ongoing support to the patient and are likely to continue assisting in discharge. Caregivers will have access to patients during evenings, weekends, and other times when they desire their presence.
Exceptions to this policy will be considered for palliative patients, subject to approval from the IPU manager or Chief Nursing Executive (CNE).
“We understand that these measures may cause inconvenience, but the safety of our patients and the community remains our top priority," said Heather Campbell, VP of Patient Care. "We appreciate the understanding and cooperation of our patients, their families, and the broader community as we continue to respond to this outbreak.”
Services in the Emergency Department remain unaffected by this outbreak and community members in need of emergency care should not hesitate to seek assistance.
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CO2 Monitors Available To Borrow For Free In Local Libaries
/According to Peterborough Public Health (PPH), residents can borrow a CO2 Monitor at any library in Peterborough City, County and Hiawatha First Nation, effectively immediately.
In March last year, Peterborough Public Library in collaboration with PPH, —supported by devices donated by Prescientx and CO2 Check — was the first library in North America to offer CO2 monitors as part of their Library of Things lending catalogue.
As a result of cooler temperatures and rainy weather, people spend more time gathering indoors. An increased risk of spreading and acquiring respiratory illnesses stems from being indoors more often. Respiratory illnesses like RSV, Influenza and COVID-19 can be transmitted through the air we breathe according to PPH. Carbon dioxide (CO2), the air we exhale, can be monitored and used to indicate the quality of the air we breathe.
“As we enter cold and flu season, carbon dioxide monitors are one tool we can add to our suite of tools to help us stay healthy; CO2 monitors can act as a proxy for determining whether a space has adequate ventilation and fresh air,” said Keith Beecroft, PPH health promotor.
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Water Sample Courier Service Paused For Winter Season
/Peterborough Public Health (PPH), the Municipality of Trent Lakes and the Township of North Kawartha have paused their joint well water sample drop-off program for the winter.
The final date for county residents to drop off their samples at the North Kawartha Municipal Office and the Trent Lakes Municipal Office is Nov. 30.
The free well water sample drop-off service returns on the first week of April. During the winter months, residents can continue to drop off their samples at the following locations:
Peterborough Public Health, 185 King St., Peterborough, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Fridays
Public Health Ontario Laboratory, 99 Hospital Dr., Peterborough, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday
Havelock-Belmont-Methuen Township Office, 1 Ottawa St., Havelock between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday.
PPH says it is essential to test well water several times throughout the year. It is recommended to test the water twice per year for a drilled well. For a dug well, the recommendation is four times per year.
“Even when the ground is frozen, contamination may be present. Sampling water from your well is the best way to ensure that the water is free of pathogens, which can cause illness if consumed,” said Chris Eaton, PPH public health inspector. “We look forward to resuming our courier service with the municipalities in the spring so it’s easier for residents to submit well water for testing.”
Well water samples are tested for two types of bacterial contamination: total coliforms and E. coli which indicates the water has been contaminated with fecal material, which can contain disease-causing microbes. These can cause severe gastrointestinal illness. Anyone can become ill if they consume contaminated water but the young, elderly and immuno-compromised are at a higher risk.
After samples are submitted, residents will receive water quality results by mail or call Public Health Ontario’s Interactive Voice Response at 1-877-723-3426.
For interpretation of the test results or to find out how to test for contaminants other than total coliforms or E. coli, please call Peterborough Public Health’s Safe Water Program at 705-743-1000, ext. 240 or visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca.
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Public Requested to Avoid Going to PRHC During Its Perimeter Lockdown Amid Bomb Threat
/UPDATE: 2:13 p.m. 31/10/23 The bomb threat has been averted and the PRHC is back to normal.
The Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) is requesting the public including patients and family members to delay visiting their facility as they are on a perimeter lockdown due to a bomb threat uttered late Tuesday morning.
At roughly 11:15 a.m., hospital received a bomb threat from an unknown individual. The hospital says they have no evidence to verify the threat but are taking it seriously.
A code black was immediately declared and Peterborough Police Service are on site with a perimeter lockdown. Patients are able to access the hospital only through the Emergency Department and are being screened prior to entry.
“We understand how frightening this news will be for all those impacted including their family, friends and loved ones,” said Michelene Ough, PRHC director of communicaions in a press release. “We will keep the hospital and broader community informed as more information becomes available.”
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Melanoma Canada’s Mole Mobile Offering Free Skin Cancer Screenings This Sunday
/Melanoma Canada’s Mole Mobile is stopping in Peterborough to give free skin cancer screenings at Sobeys (Lansdowne location) this Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Melonoma Canada recommended that people RSVP before coming but it does not guarantee a spot. Individuals will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis. All appointments are walk-in only according to their website.
Each year, roughly 89,000 Canadians are diagnosed with melanoma and skin cancer. Survival rates are high if detected early. Unlike other cancers, it is often clearly visible on the skin according to Melonoma Canada.
The Mole Mobile typically visits major Canadian cities with long wait times to see a dermatologist, underserved communities, rural areas and Indigenous regions to help speed up the time to diagnosis.
Campbellford Memorial Hospital Seeking Members to Join Patient and Family Advisory Council
/Campbellford Memorial Hospital (CMH) is seeking community members to join the Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) announced on Tuesday.
The PFAC helps discover ways to improve the patient and family experience within our healthcare system.
They are responsible for amplifying the patient and family voice and members actively engage in a wide range of hospital initiatives, committees and projects, helping to chart the course for the evolution of healthcare at our hospital.
Members of PFAC will:
Influence Positive Change: Be an instrumental part of the transformation happening at CMH by directly impacting policies, procedures, and the patient experience.
Share Your Insights: Share your valuable perspectives and experiences, ensuring that the patient and family viewpoint remains at the forefront of our healthcare endeavours.
Shape the Future: Collaborate with healthcare professionals, administrators, and fellow PFAC members to further enhance and champion our already patient-centred healthcare system as we move forward together.
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Peterborough County-City Paramedics Get Funding Boost to $9.5 Million From Ontario Government Grant
/The Peterborough County-City Paramedics received a boost of $914,328, totalling $9,490,038, for this year’s funding from the Ontario Government’s Land Ambulance Service Grant (LASG) announced at the Selwyn Fire Department (Hall #2) in Lakefield on Friday morning.
The investment is part of $811 million in the province to help municipalities facing increased cost pressures in their emergency departments.
“When people call 911, they need to know that paramedics will arrive quickly to meet their needs. A delay in a service call of just minutes can lead to drastically different results,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “The Peterborough County-City Paramedics work hard to deliver emergency medical care. This investment will help all of us receive better service when our loved ones pick up the phone at that critical time.”
This will support hiring additional paramedics, wage and cost of living adjustments and general ambulance services operation to meet the needs of the local community according to Randy Mellow, Peterborough County Paramedic Chief.
“That’s eight full-time paramedics and a number of part-time that support them so they can have vacations and leaves,” he explained. “It’s about a 10 per cent increase in staffing.”
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106 Patients Lined Up for Kawartha Dental Clinic's 'Free Dental Day'
/It was five years in the making since the last event but Kawartha Dental Clinic saw 106 patients during their ‘Free Dental Day’ on Saturday.
There were several people lined up for the free event that was as long as a city block according to Dr. Sina Sanei of Kawartha Dental.
“The first patient that I saw this morning, they started lining up at 1 a.m. in the morning,” he explained. “The lineup went around the building.”
The free dental work that was included were cleanings, fillings and extractions.
There were 45 staff members who volunteered their time to help out during the event. Sanei says there was a positive atmosphere throughout the day with some doctors working past 3 p.m. to fit all the patients in.
“Everyone was very appreciative of the work,” he said. “You don’t really feel tired. It’s a very fun and relaxing day. Every person you come across is in such a good mood.”
Kawartha Dental Clinic last held its Free Dental Day in 2017 and 2015. They were slated to do it in 2020 but were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sanei says this event will be run again in the coming years.
Peterborough Public Health Urges Public To Protect From Mosquito Bites After Confirmation of Virus Found From a Horse
/Peterborough Public Health (PPH) is reminding residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites following a positive horse case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus (EEEV) in the Peterborough region last week.
This is the first equine case in our area and the sixth confirmed in Ontario this year according to PPH.
EEEV is transmitted to horses through mosquito bites, similar to West Nile Virus. Humans can also contract it from mosquitoes carrying the virus. It cannot acquire the virus from horses or other humans, only the bite of an infected mosquito. While human infection of EEEV is extremely rare, the symptoms can be severe and life-threatening.
Preventing Mosquito Bites:
Wear long-sleeved, light-coloured clothing, or special clothing (e.g., clothing treated with permethrin) designed to protect you from bugs
Use mesh screens and close routes of entry (e.g. windows, doors) to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home
Stay indoors during dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active
Use insect repellent containing DEET or icardin
Remove sources of stagnant/standing water from your property to prevent mosquito breeding