Communicable disease control
Preventing the spread of communicable diseases is an important issue facing operators of SRO hotels. While there are existing public health information resources on the topic, there is no material specifically designed for those who operate subsidized housing in the Downtown Eastside, including SROs. That's about to change.
City Centre Care Society and PHS Community Services Society have agreed to work with Vancouver Coastal Health on a "guide sheet" to give providers housing-specific information on controlling diseases such as hepatitis A, B and C, MRSA, and tuberculosis. Coordinated by Dr. John Carsley at Vancouver Coastal Health, the guide sheet will be designed to make sure staff can find out what to do to protect themselves and remain safe, and how best to keep housing premises clean.
At a recent meeting of the SRO non-profit operators, Dr. Carsley said disease control can be fairly straightforward, stressing people should wash their hands frequently with lots of soap, making sure you are up-to-date on all available vaccinations and how to obtain them, and that when accidents happen, clean the premises with a touch of bleach after using soap and water.
The guide sheet should be available by the summer. Dr. Carsley also advised that the following information resources are available:
- BC Centre for Disease Control: 604-675-3900
- BC Nurse Line (Available 24/7): 604-215-4700
- BC Health Files