Shared on behalf of Infection Prevention and Control
Please be advised that the Influenza outbreak has been declared over on 3A Surgical Inpatient unit of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Center as of Thursday January 8, 2026.
All restrictions have been lifted. As always, our number one priority is the safety of patients and their families, staff and visitors. The department of Infection Prevention and Control encourages everyone to keep applying the routine practices of hand hygiene, proper use of PPE, equipment cleaning, and the appropriate admission screening of all patients. Please set an example for staff and students and assist us by maintaining compliance and due diligence.
For more information, contact: Infection Prevention and Control at extension 6094.
On December 24, the HELP Program spread a little holiday cheer to our elderly patients this season by handing out thoughtfully prepared Christmas stockings filled with comfort and care. The effort was made possible through the generosity of both staff and volunteers, who donated a wide variety of items to ensure each stocking felt personal and festive. From practical necessities to small treats, every contribution reflected a shared commitment to making the holidays brighter for seniors who might otherwise go without.
Adding to the spirit of giving, Turn-Key Communications made a generous donation which allowed for the purchase of juice and cookies. These treats were delivered with the stockings and warmly received by patients and their loved ones. Turn-Key Communications support helped transform a simple gesture into a joyful holiday moment, complete with smiles and gratitude. The HELP team looks forward to making this an annual event.
The Influenza A outbreak has been declared over on 2A unit as of today, January 7, 2026. All restrictions have been lifted.
Please share this information with the appropriate staff.
The department of Infection Prevention and Control encourages everyone to keep applying the routine practices of hand hygiene, proper use of PPE, equipment cleaning, and the appropriate admission screening of all patients. Please set an example for staff and students and assist us by maintaining compliance and due diligence.
For more information, contact Infection Prevention and Control at extension 6094.
We are excited to share the updated 2026 menus for the Deli and Taco Bars, as well as the everyday grill offerings (see below). On top of these great choices we have our Sodexo To Go (STG) cooler, fully stocked with fresh sandwiches, salads, snacks, and sweet treats. We also carry a wide variety of candy and chocolate bars.
Please check in with our cafeteria staff to learn more about our limited-time offers and meal deals—we look forward to serving you in the new year!
The Holiday Hand Hygiene prize draw has been temporarily paused while the Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) team addresses more urgent operational matters.
Hand hygiene remains a critical patient safety practice, and staff are reminded to continue following IPC-2-12 Effective Hand Hygiene policy, including:
Before patient contact
Before a clean or aseptic procedure
After body fluid exposure risk
After patient or patient environment contact
Thank you for your continued commitment to excellent hand hygiene. Updates on the prize draw will be shared once it resumes.
Nominees are submitted by their peers to honour their hard work and dedication to providing Exceptional care for every patient, every time!
Here is what each category stands for:
Strategy in Action Award (Senior Leadership Council to select and the Board of Directors to endorse)
Awarded to a team or initiative, which has contributed to a strategic project and/or initiative that made an impact on the patient and/or staff experience at TBRHSC.
Vision Award (Senior Leadership Council to select and the Board of Directors to endorse)
Awarded an individual or team who has contributed to our vision of exceptional care for every patient, every time. This individual or team is an outstanding contributor to our mission and vision and consistently exemplifies our values.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Award
Awarded to a member or members of the hospital community who contributed to a strategic initiative that embodies the goal of “we all belong”. This individual or team embeds diversity in all they do and ensures the provision of a culturally safe experience to staff and/or patients.
Patient Experience Award
Awarded to a member or members of the hospital community who contributed to a strategic initiative that embodies the goal of “empathy, compassion and respect in every encounter”. This individual or team embeds empathy, compassion and respect into their interactions with others, is focused on quality, and is an expert in caring for patients with complex needs.
Staff Experience Award
Awarded to a member or members of the hospital community who contributed to a strategic initiative that embodies the goal of “this is where we want to work, grow and thrive”. This individual or team works diligently to ensure that staff experience a psychologically safe and just work culture, and supports the ongoing development of employees and leaders alike.
Research, Innovation, and Learning Award
Awarded to a member or members of the hospital community who contributed to a strategic initiative that embodies the goal of “prioritizing our research efforts”. This individual or team works to ensure that we support staff capacity and capability for research and success, and creates an environment supportive of research, innovation and learning.
Sustainable Future Award
Awarded to a member or members of the hospital community who contributed to a strategic initiative that embodies the goal of “ensuring our healthy future”. This individual or team embeds the principles of sustainability into their daily work and interactions with others.
The vest is worn by the response area vested designate to easily identify that they’re the one leading the response and have knowledge of the specific response area actions required.
Always check-in with the person wearing this vest when responding to an emergency code (e.g., Code White, Code Black, etc.).
What’s an emergency code vest?
Every response area (e.g., clinical unit, department, etc.) must have at least one hi-vis vest.
It should be located near the response area’s emergency code binder.
It probably looks something like this:
Who’s the vested designate?
This role is filled by a worker identified in the response area sub plan (e.g., Manager, Charge Nurse, Unit Lead, etc.)
They wear the vest and ensure overall coordination and response is carried out as per their area’s sub plans and hospital policies.
Some departments with predetermined traffic control locations will also have a worker don another hi-vis vest for this position.
Scenario Example: Code Green STAT
The vested designate working in the response area that needs immediate help evacuating will don their vest, consult their sub plan, notify Switchboard, and direct responders upon arrival.
As soon as a Code Green STAT is announced overhead, vested designates in all open response areas will don their vests and consult their sub plans.
Vested designates from patient care areas will send one responder to help; these responders do not wear vests when attending the incident location as this will lead to confusion regarding who’s in charge.
