Table I.
Comparison of infection control (IC) and occupational health (OH) resources in British Columbia and Ontario
| Question | British Columbia | Ontario | P-value | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 ICP/x beds | 1 ICP/175 beds average (range: 1 ICP/32 beds to 1 ICP/809 beds) | 1 ICP/90 beds (range: 1 ICP/62 beds to 1 ICP/135 beds) | 0.014 | ||
| OHP/FTE staff | Mean: 2.67 | Mean: 8.28 | 0.127 | ||
| Median: 1.50 | Median: 9.81 | ||||
| (range: 0.25–13.20) | (range: 1.00–13.50) | ||||
| Dedicated ICP to site | 15 (93.8%) | 3 (100.0%) | 0.591 | ||
| Are ICPs available after regular working hours | 15 (93.5%) | 4 (100.0%) | – | ||
| Continuing medical education | 12 (92.3%) | 4 (100.0%) | 0.999 | ||
| Dedicated OHN to site | 14 (93.3%) | 4 (100.0%) | – | ||
| Are OHPs available after regular working hours | 8 (50%) are available | 3 (75%) are available | 0.477 | ||
| Does the health authority have an ICO? | Yes | No | Yes | No | 0.509 |
| 14 (87.5%) | 2 (12.5%) | 3 (75.0%) | 1 (25.0%) | ||
| ICO available after regular working hours? | Yes | No | Yes | No | – |
| 15 (93.5%) | 1 (6.5%) | 4 (100.0%) | 0 (0.0%) | ||
| Does the health authority or facility have an OH physician? | Yes | No | Yes | No | 1.000 |
| 13 (81.3%) | 3 (18.8%) | 3 (75.0%) | 1 (25.0%) | ||
| OHPs available after regular working hours? | Yes | No | Yes | No | 0.228 |
| 8 (50.0%) | 8 (50.0%) | 3 (100.0%) | 0 (0.0%) | ||
ICP, infection control professional; OHP, occupational health professional; FTE, full-time equivalent; ICO, infection control officer.