Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) can be reduced by following best practice standards for environmental cleaning.
Training and Support For Healthcare Workers
On recognized infection prevention and control protocols to ensure a healthy and safe healthcare environment.
Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) are on the rise in Canada.
- In Canada, one in every nine hospital patients contracts a healthcare-associated infection.
- More than 220,000 cases of HAI in our hospitals each year.
- Resulting in at least 8,000 deaths.
Clear instruction on proper environmental cleaning in healthcare facilities.
Aligned with PIDAC Hospital Cleaning standards, The Canadian Healthcare Housekeepers’ Association (CHHA) offers online training, industry membership and events for Environmental Service (EVS) workers and leadership. Providing an opportunity to connect with others in the industry for support and resources.
Loyalist College is pleased to partner with Canadian Healthcare Housekeepers Association (CHHA) under the Skills Advanced Ontario – EOCC Healthcare program to provide jobseekers and incumbent workers in Eastern Ontario with education in Environmental Aide, and to support learners in securing employment within the healthcare sector.
Loyalist College
Our partnership with CHHA was productive, innovative and easy. Their leadership was open to innovation, flexible and on-the-mark with their insights and guidance. As a result, our joint initiative was effective and impactful. Their EVS program was relevant and accessible and assisted our clients to enhance their skills and become more competitive in a tight labour-market.
Hospitality Workers Training Centre
St. Lawrence College has enjoyed a very successful partnership with the CHHA over the past few years, providing training opportunities to Job Seekers to work in this very important sector and to upskill those already working in the industry.
St. Lawrence College
What is PIDAC and why do their recommendations on education matter?
PIDAC stands for Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee on Infection
Prevention and Control (PIDAC-IPC). PIDAC-IPC is a multidisciplinary scientific advisory body that provides evidence-based advice to Public Health Ontario (PHO) regarding multiple aspects of infectious disease identification, prevention and control.
PIDAC-IPC’s work is guided by the current best available evidence at the time of publication and updated as required. Best Practice documents and resources
produced by PIDAC-IPC reflect consensus positions on what the committee deems prudent practice and are made available as a resource to public health and health care providers.
This resource is updated typically every 3 years with some exception.
What are PIDACs recommendations on training?
In the most recent release, April 2018, CHHA, formally known as the Ontario Healthcare Housekeeping Association (OHHA) was listed as a recommended source for education. PIDAC states their recommendations on education as follows:
“All aspects of environmental cleaning must be supervised and performed by knowledgeable, trained staff. Regular education and support must be provided by health care organizations and contract agencies to help staff consistently implement safe and effective cleaning, infection prevention and control, and occupational health and safety practices.
Education on the topics of infection prevention and control and of occupational health and safety should be provided at the initiation of employment as part of the orientation process and as ongoing continuing education.”
Increase your knowledge and connections in Canada's healthcare industry.
How to get started:
- Explore the CHHA Environmental Services Courses using the menu above.
- Enroll in a CHHA course, become a certified EVS professional and access resources available.
- Become a CHHA member and connect with other HSKP/Environmental Services professionals in the industry.
Industry Affiliates
Working with CHHA has been a successful experience for City School by Mohawk and very beneficial for students participating in our Skills Advance Ontario programming. The certificate gained by students is highly sought after by employers. Due to completing the course and achieving the certificate, some students had successfully obtained employment in long term care before they even went on placement. The course reinforces the value of housekeeping in the healthcare sector.
Mohawk College
As a medium sized supplier to the healthcare industry, I find tremendous value in being a member of the CHHA.
The unique offering of the CHHA is, in my opinion, the pinnacle of what a professional organization can offer to its membership. The benefits and opportunities available through being a member are the greatest ways to ensure the continuation of best practices and the highest standards in our industry.
Intersteam Technologies
The CHHA Environmental Services Leadership Program was exactly the course I needed as a new EVS manager. The course allowed me to work at my own pace, and provided me with fundamental information, resources, and a strong knowledge base to be able to confidently lead my team.
I would highly recommend this program for anyone in an EVS leadership role.
Espanola Regional Hospital and Health Centre