Infection Prevention and Control

Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) refers to evidence-based practices and procedures that, when applied consistently in health care settings, can prevent or reduce the risk of transmission of microorganisms to health care providers, clients, patients, residents and visitors.

We provide public health professionals with expertise, support and resources for infection prevention and control. For information and resources related to specific topics or services, see the list below.

Event

PHO Rounds: Can a Voluntary Isolation Centre Reduce Secondary Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in Households: A Matched Cohort Study

This Public Health Ontario (PHO) Rounds will present a study which compared transmission among households where first cases used the Toronto Voluntary Isolation Centre (TVIC) with households that received routine self-isolation guidance, prior to widespread vaccine availability.

See the Event Details

Featured

Best Practices in IPAC

Evidence-based guidance for infection prevention and control in all health care settings.

Clinical Office Practice

IPAC for health care workers in physician offices, community health centres, clinics and other out-of-hospital premises.

Construction, Renovation, Maintenance and Design

Information and resources for infection prevention and control considerations and requirements in construction, renovation, maintenance and design projects.

Dermatitis (Occupational)

Dermatitis is a common condition among health care workers. Occupational contact dermatitis can have negative long-term impacts on quality of work and home life.

Environmental Cleaning

Cleaning and disinfection of the physical environment in hospitals and health care settings for prevention of infections.

Hand Hygiene

Information and resources on hand hygiene for infection prevention and control. These resources can also be used to support implementing hand hygiene programs in health care settings.

Prevention of IPAC Lapses

Information and resources for public health units in preventing and investigating IPAC lapses in community settings.

Long-Term Care Certification in Infection Prevention Exam Resources

These resources, developed in partnership with IPAC Canada, support Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Leads in long-term care (LTC) settings challenge the Long-Term Care Certification in Infection Prevention (LTC-CIP) exam and obtain certification.

Orientation for Infection Prevention and Control Leads in Long-Term Care

This page provides orientation resources for Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Leads in long-term care homes as they build the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to be successful in their role.

Personal Service Settings

IPAC practices for personal service settings, such as hairdressing and barbering, tattooing, aesthetics and piercing and other body modification.

Personal Protective Equipment Auditing

A series of PPE auditing resources to assist health care settings establish, improve and maintain a PPE auditing and feedback program to support infection prevention and control best practices.

Reprocessing

IPAC for the cleaning and disinfection or sterilization of reusable medical items in health care and personal service settings.

Routine Practices and Additional Precautions

Resources related to routine practices and additional precautions in health care settings across the continuum of care including, but not limited to, pre-hospital care, acute care, complex continuing care, rehabilitation facilities, long-term care, chronic care, ambulatory care and home health care.