PPE Ordering through MSH
Dear OHT Physicians,
I have a few COVID-19 related updates to share with you.
PPE Purchase through Markham Stouffville Hospital
MSH has offered to partner with family practices in our OHT catchment area to bulk purchase PPE at a lower cost. To trial this initiative, we have developed a order form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/K2C9HGJ. If you are interested in ordering PPE through MSH, please place your order by June 5, 5:00pm.
Assessment Centre (AC) Updates
As you've probably all heard, swabbing criteria has expanded to include
- Symptomatic testing: All people with at least one symptom of COVID-19, even for mild symptoms.
- Asymptomatic, risk-based testing: People who are concerned that they have been exposed to COVID-19. This includes people who are contacts of or may have been exposed to a confirmed or suspected case. People who are at risk of exposure to COVID-19 through their employment, including essential workers (e.g., health care workers, grocery store employees, food processing plants).
The AC is set up as a walk-in basis – there is no number to call before going there. If there is a
big line-up, you may be asked to stay in your car until called to go in after you have been
triaged outside. Hours are 9am - 9pm, 7 days a week.
Physicians can refer their symptomatic patients suspected of having COVID-19 infection to the
AC by calling 437-213-3071 or if you are MSH-affiliated by emailing covidclinic@msh.on.ca (please use your secure MSH email address when sending). Patients that are referred will be triaged directly to a nurse that will do an NP swab. They will not have to be assessed by the physician working in the AC.
Other Updates
For the latest MSH Department of Family Medicine newsletter from Dr. Allan Grill please click here: https://conta.cc/3en7SGi.
Ontario Health has guidance for Primary Care Providers updated on May 22nd: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/publichealth/coronavirus/docs/2019_primary_care_guidance.pdf
The Centre for Effective Practice (CEP) has developed a primary care COVID-19 toolkit populated with updated guidance documents and practical practice management information: https://tools.cep.health/tool/covid-19/
Please be on the lookout for a EYRND OHT Primary Care Needs Assessment Survey that will be emailed out next week. I would appreciate if you can take 15 minutes to complete this, as it will help inform OHT development.
If you want to join the COVID-19 Primary Care WhatsApp group, please message me at 647 283 6201.
Thanks,
Em
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Dr. Emilie Lam MD CCFP(PC)Primary Care Lead, East York Region North Durham Ontario Health TeamPhysician Lead, Evergreen Palliative Care Physicians
