COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus)
Guidance to Members regarding patient vaccination status and use of appropriate screening tool - August 26, 2021
The Ministry of Health (MOH) provided an updated screening tool on August 26th that provides screening questions for fully immunized individuals, and additional screening questions for non-vaccinated patients or partially vaccinated patients including a reordering or screening questions. To ensure that Members can appropriately determine which screening tool applies to patients, the College recommends that Members respectfully ask patients if they are fully vaccinated or not. The College acknowledges that patient’s right to choose to disclose the information or not as it is personal health information. Where a patient refuses to disclose their vaccination status, it is reasonable that Members use the screening tool for non-vaccinated individuals.
If a patient is willing to disclose their vaccination information, this will assist the Member in determining which screening tool to use for the patient. Members should not pressure patients to disclose their vaccination status and should be respectful when requesting vaccine information. If a patient is willing to disclose their vaccination status, it is reasonable that it be charted for future reference and should be treated in the same manner as any other confidential health information disclosed by patients.
Ontario Announces Mandatory COVID Vaccination Policies for High-Risk Settings
Recent emergency changes were made in Ontario to respond to the COVID-19
COCOO Statement on the Updated MOH Guidelines
On July 28, 2021, the Ministry of Health released an updated version of the COVID Guidance for Primary Care Providers in a Community Setting.
We recommend Chiropodists and Podiatrists who work in private practice to review this guidance through the link below.
MOH COVID-19 Guidance: Primary Care Providers in a Community Setting
Ministry of Health Guideline for Primary Care Providers in Community Settings
Version 8.0 Updated July 28, 2021
Revocation of Chief Medical Officer of Health Directive #2 and the Resumption of non-urgent and non-emergent surgeries and procedures - May 19, 2021
The Chief Medical Officer of Health has revoked Directive #2 for Health Care Providers, effective May 19, 2021, which ends the temporary cessation of non-emergent and non-urgent surgeries and procedures. The result is that health care providers may resume those services. Please refer to the COCOO’s website for updated information related to COVID-19 https://cocoo.on.ca/covid-19-novel-coronavirus.
The two emergency orders listed below are still in effect. These orders authorize:
- regulated health professionals to provide patient care services outside their regular scope of practice and enables hospitals to employ, contract, appoint or otherwise engage regulated health professionals from out-of-province (O. Reg. 305/21, approved and ordered April 21, 2021), and
- Independent Health Facilities (IHFs) to redeploy staff to hospitals on a voluntary basis to help with capacity needs relative to the third wave of COVID-19 (O. Reg. 304/21, approved and ordered April 21, 2021)
To read the full CMOH Memorandum on Revocation of Chief Medical Officer of Health Directive #2 and the Resumption of non-urgent and non-emergent surgeries and procedures click here.
Please contact our professional practice adviser with any questions about the most recent changes to Directive #2 at practice@cocoo.on.ca.
COVID-19 FAQs for Practitioners
Click here if you are a Chiropodist / Podiatrist with questions about your practice during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
COVID-19 Q&As for Members of the Public
Click here if you are a member of the public with questions regarding your care during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Member Communications
Click here for all Member Communications including communications regarding COVID-19.
Important Reference Documentation
Updated important documents that have been sent to members regarding procedures available
ADVISORIES
Advisory Relating to COVID-19 and the Provision of Chiropody/Podiatry Care in Long Term Care Facilities (LTCF’s)
June 16,2020 – If a Member is required to provide care at a LTCF, the Member must communicate directly with the administration of the LTCF prior to the visit to establish and ensure that all the LTCF protocols are in place including the requisite screening (of Member and resident), and that the Member has all required PPE or ensures that the facility will provide the required PPE.
Members should be fully aware of all the implications and responsibilities of providing care in long term care facilities and the potential risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19. Members must be fully aware of all policies for individual LTCF’s as well as directives from Public Health Ontario, the Ministry of Health (MOH) the Chief Medical Officer of Ontario and relevant Standards of Practice of the College of Chiropodists.
Updates From Ontario's Ministry of Health
Ontario’s Ministry of Health releases FREQUENT new guidance on COVID-19. Members are advised to check for any changes on a daily basis. Access regular Ministry updates by clicking here.
Health Care Providers with less than 10 days of supply
Health care providers facing immediate challenges (less than 10 days of supply) with their personal protective equipment supply levels can email the ministry at EOCLogistics.MOH@ontario.ca.
Health Care Provider Hotline
The Ministry of Health has set up a Health Care Provider Hotline at 1-866-212-2272.
COVID-19 Operational Requirements: Health Sector Restart
Most Recent Update – May 26, 2020
Community Based Private Members IPAC Flowchart to Urgent Care during COVID-19
Most Recent Update – May 18, 2020
Practitioner Guidelines for Treating Emergency Patients During COVID-19
Most Recent Update – May 18, 2020
Quick Reference Guide
Most recent update – May 20, 2020
Guide to Virtual Visits
Most Recent Update – April 2, 2020
Suggested Signage for Members offering Emergency Care
Most Recent Update – April 7, 2020
IPAC Recommended Steps for putting on and taking off PPE
Most recent update – April 2, 2020
Administrative and Engineering Controls (V2)
Most recent update – April 23, 2020
PPE Checklist (V2)
Most recent update – April 23, 2020
Technical Brief PPE (V2)
Most recent update – April 23, 2020
IPAC Recommendations for Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Care of Individuals with Suspect or Confirmed COVID-19
Most recent update – April 2, 2020
Availability of PPE during COVID-19 (Survey Results)
Results of survey from members
Contact the College if you have additional questions, at info@cocoo.on.ca.
CMOH
Directive #2
has been updated
Updated April 22, 2021: In order to preserve system capacity to deal effectively with COVID-19, CMOH Directive #2 has been updated and requires all non-emergent and non-urgent surgeries and procedures to cease. The MOH has also developed this Q & A document to answer questions about these recent directive changes.
COVID-19 Pandemic Clinical Practice Directive
Updated May 26th, 2020: This document has been updated to provide Members of the College of Chiropodists of Ontario (COCOO) guidance to ensure a safe gradual restoration of all deferred and non-essential and elective services subject to the requirements of substituted Directive #2 issued on May 26, 2020.
COVID-19 Operational Requirements: Health Sector Restart
Version 2.0 June 15, 2020: This document provides operational details and requirements as referenced in Directive #2 dated June 15, 2020. It is not intended to take the place of medical advice, diagnosis, treatment or legal advice.