All things COVID-19

 

ALL THINGS COVID:

As restrictions are lifting and we return to office practice, we are being encouraged to move away from a virtual visit first approach whenever possible. The Ontario College of Family Physicians has published a set of guidelines to help support the transition back to in-office care. Access via this link. 

For patients presenting with flu-like illness, here are some further resources regarding assessment centres in Mid-West Toronto, access to personal protective equipment and Infection prevention and control for your office.

To order rapid COVID test kits, click here. You are also now able to order buccal/nasal PCR swabs which are a great option to test children in your practice for COVID without needing to do an uncomfortable NP swab. Parents can do the swab on their own kids. Samples are taken with a swab between the gum line and cheek, then inserted in each nostril.  Results are processed through the Public Health Lab.

Electronic consultations

  • Ontario eConsult program

  • COVID@Home

  • Resource toolkit: COVID@Home

  • Monitoring for Primary Care

  • Provincial PPE stockpile
    Critical PPE, Swab Kit and Rapid Test: Intake Form

  • IPAC

  • Summary of Infection Prevention and Control Key Principles for Clinical Office Practice (publichealthontario.ca)

FOR HELP MANAGING PATIENTS AT HOME: https://covidcareathome.ca

COVID Boosters:

COVID-19 3rd Dose Pfizer Vaccine Clinic

This vaccination clinic, offered at three sites, is for people aged 70+ who reside in the Mid-West Ontario Health Team region or are patients of:

  • Any family physician/Nurse practitioner whose office is in Mid-West Toronto

The clinic is by appointment only. For more information and to book, click here.

How to get a booster – health care workers and essential caregivers

  • At their place of employment/where they provide essential care, if available

  • Visit a participating pharmacy. To find a list, click here

  • Book through the Ministry of Health’s provincial booking system (as of Nov. 6)

Mass vaccination clinics will continue for children 5-12 – stay tuned for email re: the booking link. The Sinai Family Health Team will be holding clinics in December for people over 70 and an email will be disseminated for these clinics as well.

If you would like the option to vaccinate your own patients, Karen Burke (contact information below) can help connect you with supplies via Toronto Public Health. Come January, the expectation is that family physicians will pretty much take over this function. Support will be available to help you with obtaining and administering the vaccine and with the documentation process.

We are aware that another consequence of the pandemic is that primary care has fallen behind in preventative screening and childhood immunizations. Your Mid-West Ontario Health Team has applied for funding to enable guided on-line appointment booking for these services and is also exploring dedicated clinics offering PAP smears. Please contact us if you are interested in this support.