IPAC Canada Publications and Collaborations
- Infection Prevention and Control (Program) Standard
- Core Competencies for Infection Prevention and Control Professionals
- Core Competencies for ICPs Webinar
- Core Competencies for Health Care Providers
- Ethical Infection Prevention and Control Decision-Making Framework
- IPAC Canada Weekly News Round Up
- Epidemiology of Clostridioides difficile infection in Canada
- Measuring and Monitoring Healthcare-Associated Infections: A Canadian Collaboration to Better Understand the Magnitude of the Problem
- Antimicrobial use among adult inpatients at hospital sites within the Canadian Nosocomial Infection Surveillance Program: 2009 to 2016
- Clean Intermittent Urethral Catheterization in Adults Canadian Best Practice Recommendations for Nurses & Power Point Slides (NSWOCC, CNCA, UNC, IPAC-Canada)
Ethical Infection Prevention and Control (EIPAC) Decision-Making Framework (APIC and IPAC-Canada)
The EIPAC framework provides a step-by-step fair process for IPs/IPCs and/or other involved stakeholders to work through ethical issues that arise in IPC. The framework is designed specifically to address issues that will have substantive impacts on patients/residents, families, visitors, and staff. The framework can be used in both acute care settings and congregate living settings, such as nursing homes/long-term care homes and independent living facilities. This framework is not meant for clinical/ medical reasoning around investigation or treatment at the individual patient or resident level, but specifically for ethically complex IPC decisions.
Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Program Standard
(Document currently under review)
- describes the culture, scope and foundational framework necessary for the development of a successful IPAC program
- synthesizes best practices, guidelines and recommendations from Canadian (national and provincial) bodies and international agencies
- incorporates significant findings from the current scientific literature.
The IPAC program standard may be used as a resource:
- for prioritizing and developing an IPAC program;
- as a way to obtain senior management support for the IPAC program;
- to ensure consistency in the recommended program elements across all Canadian health care settings; and
- to engage in strategic planning activities for the future.
Infection Prevention and Control (Program) Standard
Supplement: Processes used by IPAC Canada to develop the IPAC Program Standard and IPAC Program Audit Tool (PAT©)
NOTE: IPAC Canada members may download the IPAC Canada Program Audit Tool (PAT©) and auditing annex, Auditing the IPAC Program, to carry out audits of an organization's IPAC program against the IPAC Program Standard.
Core Competencies for Infection Prevention and Control Professionals (ICPs)
Consensus document revised September 2022.
First developed in 2016, this document is an updated version of “IPAC Canada Core Competencies for Infection Control Professionals. This document lists IPAC Canada’s core competencies for Infection Prevention and Control Professionals (ICPs), which indicate the minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities, that are required to practice safely and ethically as an ICP. The competency statements reflect expectations of a competent ICP; a competent ICP is one who can perform effectively in the roles and functions required by their position, within the team, organization, and with stakeholders. Specific competencies for novice and expert levels of ICP have not been defined.
Contents:
Introduction to the Core Competencies
Foundational Core Competencies................................. 4
- Education
- Microbiology
- Routine Practices and Additional Precautions
- Surveillance and Epidemiology
- Research Utilization
Applied Core Competencies.......................................... 8
- Healthcare Facility Design, Construction, Renovations and Maintenance
- Occupational Health and Safety
- Outbreak and Infectious Disease Threats
- Quality Improvement and Patient Safety
- Reprocessing of Medical Devices
Supporting Core Competencies................................... 11
- Communication
- Leadership
- Program Management
- Professionalism
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Core Competencies for ICPs (September 2022)
WEBINAR: Core Competencies – New Consensus Documents 2022
Date: Thursday, November 17, 2022
Time:1030 PT, 1130 MT, 1230 CT/SK, 1330 ET, 1430 AT, 1500 NL
Duration: 1 Hour
THIS WEBINAR IS FOR IPAC CANADA MEMBERS ONLY.
Click here for more information.
Core Competencies for Health Care Providers (HCPs)
Infection Prevention and Control Core Competencies for Healthcare Providers: Updated Consensus Document June 2022
The purpose of the 2022 review was to update the 2016 core competencies to ensure they reflect current knowledge and skills that all Healthcare Providers (HCPs) need to possess to protect themselves and patients. In this document the term patient refers to all persons who receive or have requested healthcare or services and incorporates the terms ‘client’ or ‘resident’. The full content and competencies are contained in the document below.
Foundational Competencies
There are several IPAC principles and practices that are essential in stopping the spread of infectious agents, preventing infections, and promoting safe environments that are applicable to every role within the healthcare system. These include principles and practices related to the Chain of Infection, Routine Practices and maintaining a Healthy Workplace.
- Chain of Infection
- Routine Practices
- Risk Assessment and Point of Care Risk Assessment
- Hand Hygiene
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection
- Handling of Waste and Linens
- Vaccination (Immunization)
- Blood and Body Fluids Exposure and Sharps Management
- Respiratory Hygiene
- Fitness for Work
Applied Competencies
The following competencies may be role or sector specific or may only be required as specific issues arise (e.g., construction or renovation of an area). All persons working in healthcare should have knowledge and skills in these areas to a level indicated by their role and setting.
- Microbiological Concepts
- Surveillance and Outbreaks
- Additional Precautions
- Management of Healthcare Supplies and Equipment
Supporting Competencies
The knowledge and skills reflected in these supporting competencies are wider-ranging and not specific to IPAC. They are however important for facilitating healthcare providers’ capacity and capability to develop their IPAC competencies and translate them into their work practices.
- Training and Accountability
- Advocacy
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)
Core Competencies for Health Care Providers
Les compétences de base des fournisseurs de soins de santé en matière de prévention et de contrôle des infections : Document consensuel mis à jour en juin 2022
IPAC Canada Weekly News Round Up
Receive the weekly publication from IPAC-Canada summarizing the top tweets for the week. The News Round Up Newsletters can be found here. To receive these updates in real time, follow us on Twitter (@IPACCanada) or Facebook.
We can also share via social media your news/photos from chapter meetings, special interest group meetings, or even a team huddle! Just snap a photo, take a screenshot, or write a few lines of text and email it to socialmedia@ipac-canada.org.
IPAC Canada Collaborations
- Epidemiology of Clostridioides difficile infection in Canada: A six-year review to support vaccine decision-making
- Measuring and Monitoring Healthcare-Associated Infections: A Canadian Collaboration to Better Understand the Magnitude of the Problem
- Antimicrobial use among adult inpatients at hospital sites within the Canadian Nosocomial Infection Surveillance Program: 2009 to 2016
- Clean Intermittent Urethral Catheterization in Adults Canadian Best Practice Recommendations for Nurses & Power Point Slides (NSWOCC, CNCA, UNC, IPAC-Canada)