Updated: July 12, 2024
This notice is relevant to licensed practical nurses (LPNs) who participate in the treatment of sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections.
The Chief Provincial Public Health Officer has issued a Public Health Order authorizing and directing communicable disease nurses, who are currently providing communicable disease responses services on behalf of a health authority (see definition below), to comply with the following three protocols while attending to a patient:
Communicable Disease Management Protocol – Chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis) Infection
Communicable Disease Management Protocol – Gonorrhea
Communicable Disease Management Protocol – Syphilis
The protocols contain information and practice directives for testing, treatment and reporting of these communicable diseases.
LPNs who practise through a health authority, or an entity funded by a health authority, and who are involved in the care of clients who present with symptoms of these diseases, must comply with the protocols.
Note that LPNs administering medications, in accordance with the Public Health Order and the applicable protocols, do not require a client-specific order for the administration of medication to treat these infections. Please refer to the protocols for specific information.
The Order applies to a “communicable disease nurse,” defined in the Order to include a person who is:
a) registered and authorized to practise in Manitoba as a licensed practical nurse, and
b) currently providing communicable disease response services on behalf of a health authority as defined in The Health System Governance and Accountability Act, the Government of Manitoba, the Government of Canada, an Indian Band or any entity funded by a health authority, the Government of Manitoba, the Government of Canada or an Indian band to provide the services.
LPNs must self-assess and confirm that they have the competencies necessary to engage in the treatment of STBBIs under the Order. Online education to support nurses and organizations in use of the Order is available; however, this specific training is not required to practise under the Order if other approaches to ensure competency are in place.
Information about the training, including dates, can be found at: https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/cdc/sti/index.html
The Order, which was made under Section 44 of The Public Health Act, has been extended to May 31, 2025.
