Click here for a PDF version of these frequently asked questions.
Where do I send my completed Health Review Form, and what formats are accepted?
Staff should submit their completed Health Review Form and proof of immunizations and testing to Occupational Health & Safety Services (OHSS) via HealthReviews@lhsc.on.ca in PDF Format. Images (pictures) of forms are not accepted. Adobe has apps for smartphones that can create pdfs from images that greatly improve the quality of the document. More information is available at Adobe Mobile Scanner App. Alternatively, you can fax your documents to 519-685-8374.
Do I need to complete the health review requirements prior to my start date?
Yes. All new employees must submit their LHSC Health Review Form, proof of required immunizations and immunity, and Tuberculosis (TB) Screening at least 6 days prior to their start date. Therefore, it is advised to start the health review process 4-6 weeks before your start date in order to complete any outstanding requirements.
What happens if I am missing immunizations, proof of immunity or TB skin tests, or do not submit a Health
Review Form prior to my start date?
You will not be able to start working at LHSC until all of the requirements outlined on the Health Review Form are completed, and proof of these is submitted. Your start date will be adjusted based on the projected time needed to complete your requirements.
How will I know if I am missing requirements on my Health Review Form?
An Occupational Health Nurse will review your Health Review Form and contact you if there are any outstanding requirements. Once you have submitted all of the required documentation, you and your leader will receive an email from Occupational Health & Safety Services (OHSS) indicating you are cleared to begin employment.
Where can I obtain documentation of my previous immunizations, proof of immunity and TB skin test results?
Immunization records, proof of immunity and results of TB skin tests are available from your primary care provider (physician or nurse practitioner), local public health agencies, universities and college health services, immigration records, and occupational health services at a previous employer.
Where can I have immunizations, serology testing for proof of immunity, or a TB skin test done before my start date?
Your primary care provider (physician or nurse practitioner) community clinics, public health agencies, student health or occupational health services at your current place of employment/placement are all potential options where immunizations, serology and TB skin tests may be accessed. Please note: LHSC does not routinely complete pre-employment immunizations and serology testing.
I was a previous staff member at LHSC, Do I need to complete another Health Review Form?
Yes. A new Health Review Form provides the opportunity to submit up-to-date immunization documentation and to inform Occupational Health & Safety Services of any changes in your health status.
Will the requirement for COVID-19 vaccination at LHSC change when the “vaccine passport” requirements are lifted for public places?
No. Similar to other vaccinations for communicable diseases, requirements for hospital workers are different than for the general public. LHSC will continue to require COVID 19 vaccination as a condition of employment for the foreseeable future.
Does COVID 19 vaccination interfere with other vaccinations?
No. the National Advisory Committee on Immunizations (NACI) in Canada has lifted all conditions regarding the timing of COVID 19 vaccinations in relation to other vaccines. COVID 19 vaccination can be co-administered with all other required immunizations.
What is a TB skin test and why do I need one?
A TB (Tuberculosis) Skin Test, also known as a Mantoux Skin Test, involves injecting a small amount of tuberculin substance intradermally in the forearm. The test is read 48-72 hours after injection to determine the result. A positive TB skin test is a response that involves a level of induration (firm swelling) greater than 10 mm. The amount of redness resulting from the test is not measured as part of the result. Every employee at LHSC requires baseline TB testing to be used in the event there is an occupational exposure to TB.
What’s involved in a 2 step TB Skin Test?
Two-Step TB Skin Test is a series of 2 separate TB skin tests administered at least 1 week, and no more than 1 year apart. Both TB skin test needs to be read 48-72 hours after being administered by a qualified professional and documented to reflect the level of induration (firm swelling). In total, 4 visits to a health care provider are required to complete the two-step TB skin test. The minimum interval that a 2 step TB skin test can be completed is 9 days. All staff, regardless of their role at LHSC, are required to have a 2 step TB skin test.
Do I need an annual (1 step) TB skin test if I have already had a 2 step?
Maybe. If the two-step has been completed more than 1 year ago, then an annual (1-step) is also required. Otherwise only the 2 step is required.
I had a chest X-ray and it was normal. Do I still need a TB skin Test?
Yes. In hospitals, TB skin tests are used for surveillance purposes and to identify cases of Latent TB Infection (LTBI), whereas chest X-rays are used to determine if there is an active TB infection. LTBI can be activated by many factors or could stay silent life-long and therefore would not appear on an X-ray. TB skin tests are the cornerstone of hospital TB surveillance. Without knowing the baseline TB skin test status of each employee, it is not possible to know if, following exposure, the staff member was exposed at work. The Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) does not accept chest X-rays as an alternative to a TB skin test.
I had BCG vaccination as a child. Should I still get a TB skin test done?
Yes. BCG vaccination is not a contraindication to the TB Skin Test. BCG vaccination given before the age of 2 is an unlikely explanation for a positive TB skin test, since immunity from BCG vaccination wains after about 10 years. Therefore, a TB skin test is still needed to screen for latent or active Tuberculosis infection.
My TB Skin test is positive and I am told I need to have a chest X-ray. I had a chest X-ray done for immigration purposes a few years ago. Do I need another one?
The chest x-ray must be completed after the TB skin test was read. Therefore, if your positive TB skin test was completed after the immigration chest x-ray, then another chest X-ray is required.
I had a positive TB skin test in the past. Do I need another one?
No. Once you have had one positive TB skin test, you should avoid having another one in the future. There are two reasons for this: to prevent having a severe blistering reaction; and once positive, always positive, therefore there is no value in completing another one.
My TB skin test is positive. Is there anything else I need to do?
Yes. All LHSC Staff who have a history of a positive TB skin test must complete Section C: Tuberculosis Questionnaire of the Health Review Form. A nurse practitioner will review the TB Questionnaire and your chest X-ray and determine if any other steps need to be taken to clear you for employment-related to TB. Once this step is completed, a nurse practitioner will schedule a health teaching appointment with you to review.
I had chickenpox as a child. Do I still need to have 2 vaccinations for varicella?
New employees who have a history of chickenpox may be immune to varicella. However, a serology test is required to demonstrate immunity. If not immune, two varicella vaccinations given 4 weeks apart are required.
My serology tests show that I am immune to measles and mumps but not Rubella. How do I receive vaccination for Rubella?
Typically, Measles, Mumps & Rubella are given together as MMR. If you are immune to one or two components of MMR, receiving another MMR is safe and often provided since it is difficult to obtain measles, mumps and rubella vaccinations in individual format.
I am not immune to Hepatitis B. Do I need to complete Hepatitis B vaccination?
It is highly recommended, but not required, that all new employees are immune to hepatitis B in the event that they experience blood and body fluid exposure through a needle stick or sharps injury while at work. New employees who are not immune to Hepatitis B are encouraged to start the Hepatitis B vaccination series prior to beginning their employment but do not have to complete the series in order to begin working.
I have a latex allergy. What steps do I need to take to make sure I am safe at work?
The first step is to add this information to your health review form in Section A: Health History. An Occupational Health Nurse will follow up with you to gather more information about your allergy and to explain the accountabilities of LHSC, your leader and you as the employee in relation to avoiding latex in the workplace.
I have a disability and need workplace accommodation. What do I need to do?
Section A: Health History of the Health Review Form provides a space for you to indicate that you have a disability or limitations and restrictions that require an accommodation in the workplace. An Occupational Health Nurse will review this information and refer to an Abilities Case Management Specialist, Safety Specialist or Ergonomist to address your needs.
This is all very confusing. Is there someone I can talk to for assistance with my Health Review Form?
Of course! You can speak with an Occupational Health Nurse 7 Days a week 0800-1600. (519) 685-8500 Ext. 52286.
