COVID-19 Information for Residency Programs - Week of January 22, 2021

  • Vaccination Update:
    • Until this week when supply began to decrease the London area was receiving ~ 5000 doses/week (about 40% of those doses are deployed to Southwest Public Health, and Huron-Perth, with ~ 3000 available for LHSC)

    • Pfizer vaccine supply has been temporarily delayed across Canada (the world actually) as Pfizer expands their manufacturing facility/capability – this will decrease by ~ 50% the doses that Canada receives per week over the next several weeks.

    • How many people need to be vaccinated in our area? – LongTermCare staff/residents: (~ 12,000 →24, 000 doses) and LHSC has ~ 15,000 staff (→ 30,000 doses) (so…..lots).

    • LHSC Agriplex has vaccinated ~ 250 postgraduate learners with their first dose – so with close to a thousand PG residents and fellow the majority have not yet received a first dose.

    • Second doses for those who have received their first is being delayed to between 21 to 42 days, this is per MOH. The priority remains to complete the LongTermCare staff and residents, our Priority 1 group (ICU, Medicine and Emergecy) followed by Priority 2, etc.A PGME Newsletter was sent to residents and fellows on Monday the 18th with updated information regarding vaccination.

  • Life and Limb:
    • The Regional Alert for Life and Limb was lifted on January 21st . Note: the change to OneNumber/Life and Limb as of Jan. 26th includes that:
      • All Services will maintain or institute an MRP to MRP conversation to review One Number calls and accept any transfers from the region.

      • Note: This should not be delegated to fellows or residents at any level of training. Given the constraints on inpatient capacity this level of decision maker is being involved. It is recognized this is a change for some services so the implementation for this recommendation is Tuesday Jan 26th at 0800 to enable those services that rely on residents or fellows to receive call to transition their current process.
    • This will be implemented on January 26th, and for some Departments/Programs will mean a change in practice, as well as notification of faculty regarding their role. In addition switchboard will be required to change the call list.

    • The complete notice is appended.
  • COFM Update:
    • ‘Principles of Resident Service during a Pandemic’ approved at COFM on Jan. 21st 2021, and appended for information.
  • CPSO and MCC Part II update:
    • CPSO is considering a temporary change to licensure for individuals who have completed certification (passed CFPC or Royal College training and examinations) but have not had the opportunity to take the MCC Part II examination. In Ontario this is currently ~ 650 physicians who are practicing with the temporary ‘covid’ license that requires minimal supervision but completion of MCC II in order to have independent licensure. The cancellation in examinations over the fall, and the ongoing delay is estimated to affect an additional 1500 residents by July.

    • The proposal is to provide an exemption for MCC II for these physicians. (This is similar to a policy that Nova Scotia recently adopted). The Ontario Postgraduate Deans uniformly endorse this, and will be providing a letter to CPSO in support. Council meeting is scheduled for March 3rd – 4th.

    • There have been no further updates from MCC re: scheduling or exam dates at this time.
  • Safe Ride Home – this LHSC initiative will provide a ride home (Chequer cab or Voyago) to residents or fellows who are fatigued after an overnight shift and worried about safe driving. This will be implemented the week of February 8th (which is Resident Awareness Week).