In November, the BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) and the Alberta Continuing Care Association (ACCA) co-hosted a special Western Canada roundtable on pandemic preparedness with frontline health care workers and emergency responders. A full report of the roundtable and recommended next steps has not been released. BCCPA will be following up on a number of the suggestions with BC health officials, particularly on the need to:
- Improve communication between health care professionals during a crisis
- Stockpile medical equipment and supplies in advance of a crisis - particularly surgical masks
- Improve training of front line workers and emergency responders
- Modernize safety standards and regulations based on H1N1 lessons learned
The event in Edmonton included more than 40 representatives of organizations - including many seniors care providers. BC participants included affiliates of WorkSafe BC, Good Samaritan Society, Canadian Standards Association, BC Professional Firefighters Association, Revera and Park Place Seniors Living.
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