Infection Control & Prevention

The year 2025 has marked a troubling resurgence of measles in the United States, with 1,288 confirmed cases reported as of July 9, 2025, the highest since 1992. This highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease has re-emerged due to declining vaccination rates, disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, and imported cases from global travel. For public health officials, […]

Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) is a cornerstone of safe healthcare delivery, protecting patients, staff, and visitors from harmful pathogens. Terms like cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing are often used interchangeably, but they represent distinct processes with specific roles in maintaining a hygienic environment. Understanding these differences is critical for healthcare professionals, whether in hospitals, dental

Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) is a cornerstone of safe healthcare delivery, protecting patients, staff, and visitors from infections. In Canada, public health authorities, such as IPAC Canada and Public Health Ontario, set specific IPAC requirements that healthcare facilities must follow to ensure safety and compliance. These requirements are critical for preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs),

Failing an Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) audit can be a daunting experience for any dental clinic, signaling deficiencies in practices critical to patient and staff safety. Conducted by public health authorities or regulatory bodies like the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO), IPAC audits evaluate compliance with standards designed to prevent healthcare-associated

In the fast-paced environment of a dental clinic, maintaining a high standard of infection prevention and control (IPAC) is critical to ensuring the safety of patients and staff. Dental chairs, as central fixtures in patient care, are high-touch surfaces that can harbor pathogens if not properly disinfected. Effective disinfection prevents healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), ensures compliance

Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) certification is becoming a cornerstone of healthcare in Ontario, especially after the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. This credential demonstrates your ability to safeguard patients, staff, and communities from infectious diseases, making it a valuable asset for career advancement and patient safety. Whether you’re a nurse, doctor, personal support

Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) is a critical component of dental practice, ensuring the safety of patients, staff, and visitors by minimizing the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). In Canada, dentists must adhere to stringent IPAC standards to maintain compliance with regulatory bodies and protect public health. While the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) provides valuable

Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) standards are the backbone of safe healthcare delivery, protecting patients, staff, and visitors from infections like MRSA, COVID-19, or hepatitis. However, training staff on these complex standards can be daunting, especially when balancing busy schedules and diverse skill levels. Overloading staff with technical information risks disengagement, errors, or non-compliance, which

Imagine a patient admitted for a routine surgery, only to contract a life-threatening infection during their hospital stay. This scenario is all too real: in high-income countries, 7 out of every 100 patients in acute-care hospitals acquire at least one healthcare-associated infection (HAI), while in low- and middle-income countries, this number rises to 15 out

Infection prevention and control (IPAC) are critical aspects of maintaining a safe and hygienic environment in dental practices across Canada. With the constant exposure to blood, saliva, and airborne pathogens, dental professionals must adhere to strict infection control protocols to prevent cross-contamination and ensure patient safety. The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) plays a pivotal role