I’ve spent years working as an infection prevention and control consultant across Canada, and one thing consistently surprises me: how many well-intentioned healthcare professionals operate based on myths rather than facts. These misconceptions aren’t just harmless misunderstandings they can compromise patient safety, waste resources, and put your facility at risk during inspections.
As the founder of Infection Shield Consulting, I’ve seen firsthand how misinformation spreads through healthcare settings. Today, I’m setting the record straight on the most common infection prevention myths that could be undermining your IPAC program right now.
Why Infection Prevention Myths Are Dangerous
Before we dive into specific myths, let’s understand why these misconceptions matter. Poor infection control practices lead to:
- Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) affecting 1 in 18 hospitalized patients in Canada
- Increased patient morbidity and mortality rates
- Failed regulatory inspections and potential facility closures
- Significant financial costs from outbreaks and legal liabilities
- Diminished reputation and patient trust
The Public Health Agency of Canada estimates that HAIs cost the Canadian healthcare system billions annually. Many of these infections are preventable with proper IPAC practices based on evidence, not myths.
Understanding why infection prevention matters is the first step toward building a culture of safety in your facility.
Common Infection Prevention Myths vs. Facts
Myth #1: Hand Sanitizer Is Just as Good as Handwashing in All Situations
The Fact: While alcohol-based hand rubs (ABHRs) are highly effective against many pathogens, they’re not interchangeable with soap and water in all scenarios.
Hand sanitizer is excellent for routine decontamination when hands are not visibly soiled. However, you must wash with soap and water when:
- Hands are visibly dirty or contaminated with body fluids
- After caring for patients with Clostridioides difficile (C. diff)
- After potential exposure to norovirus or other non-enveloped viruses
- Before eating or after using the restroom
The alcohol in hand sanitizer doesn’t physically remove soil, and certain pathogens like C. diff spores are resistant to alcohol. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), proper handwashing with soap and water remains the gold standard in these situations.
I’ve conducted audits where staff exclusively used hand sanitizer, even when handling soiled materials. This practice creates a false sense of security and can contribute to outbreaks, particularly in long-term care settings where C. diff is prevalent. Learn more about infection control measures in long-term care facilities to understand proper hand hygiene protocols.
Myth #2: If It Smells Clean, It Is Clean
The Fact: Cleanliness has nothing to do with scent. A space can smell like lemons and still be contaminated with dangerous pathogens.
This myth is particularly dangerous because:
- Many effective disinfectants are odorless or have minimal scent
- Fragrances in cleaning products mask odors but don’t kill germs
- Proper disinfection requires specific contact times, concentrations, and techniques not pleasant smells
I frequently encounter facilities that prioritize cleaning products with strong fragrances, believing they’re more effective. The reality is that proper cleaning vs. disinfecting vs. sterilizing follows specific protocols that have nothing to do with how the product smells.
Effective environmental cleaning requires:
- Using Health Canada-approved disinfectants with Drug Identification Numbers (DIN)
- Following manufacturer’s instructions for dilution and contact time
- Cleaning from cleanest to dirtiest areas
- Using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Documenting cleaning and disinfection procedures
Myth #3: Sterilization and Disinfection Are the Same Thing
The Fact: These are distinctly different processes with specific applications, and confusing them can lead to serious infection control breaches.
Here’s the breakdown:
| Process | Definition | Application | Effectiveness |
| Cleaning | Physical removal of soil and organic matter | All items before disinfection/sterilization | Removes ~80% of microorganisms |
| Disinfection | Chemical destruction of most pathogens (not all spores) | Semi-critical and non-critical items, environmental surfaces | Kills most but not all microorganisms |
| Sterilization | Complete destruction of all microorganisms including spores | Critical items that enter sterile body tissues | Eliminates 100% of microorganisms |
In dental offices, I’ve seen non-sterile instruments used for invasive procedures because staff didn’t understand this distinction. This isn’t just a compliance issue it’s a patient safety crisis. Our dental office infection control practices guide explains the proper processing of dental instruments.
For dental professionals, following CDA IPAC guidelines for dentists is essential for maintaining proper sterilization protocols.
Myth #4: PPE Protects You from Everything
The Fact: PPE is the last line of defense, not a substitute for proper infection control practices, and it only works when used correctly.
Common PPE mistakes I observe include:
- Wearing the same gloves for multiple tasks or patients
- Touching face, phone, or other surfaces while wearing contaminated gloves
- Improper donning and doffing sequences that cause self-contamination
- Reusing single-use masks or respirators
- Failing to perform hand hygiene before and after PPE use
The hierarchy of controls in infection prevention places PPE at the bottom, below:
- Elimination (removing the hazard)
- Engineering controls (physical barriers, ventilation)
- Administrative controls (policies, training)
- PPE (last resort protection)
PPE is only effective when combined with other IPAC measures. I’ve worked with facilities that invested heavily in PPE but neglected environmental cleaning, hand hygiene infrastructure, and staff training a recipe for outbreaks.
Understanding how to prevent the spread of disease requires a comprehensive approach beyond just wearing PPE.
Myth #5: Antibiotics Can Prevent Infections
The Fact: Antibiotics treat bacterial infections; they don’t prevent them, and misuse contributes to antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
This dangerous misconception drives inappropriate antibiotic use, which:
- Creates antibiotic-resistant “superbugs”
- Eliminates beneficial bacteria in the body
- Causes adverse drug reactions and side effects
- Increases healthcare costs
- Makes future infections harder to treat
Prevention comes from proper IPAC practices, not antibiotics:
- Hand hygiene
- Appropriate use of aseptic technique
- Proper wound care and catheter management
- Environmental cleaning and disinfection
- Vaccination programs
- Surveillance and early detection of infections
In long-term care facilities, I’ve seen antibiotic overuse driven by this myth, contributing to C. diff outbreaks and resistant infections. The role of IPAC in long-term care includes antimicrobial stewardship as a core component.
Myth #6: You Only Need to Worry About Infection Control During Outbreaks
The Fact: Infection prevention is a continuous, proactive discipline not a reactive emergency response.
Waiting until an outbreak occurs is like waiting for a fire to start before installing smoke detectors. Effective IPAC requires:
- Daily adherence to standard and additional precautions
- Ongoing surveillance to detect trends before they become outbreaks
- Regular training to maintain staff competency
- Routine audits to identify gaps in practice
- Updated policies reflecting current evidence and regulations
I’ve responded to facilities in crisis mode during outbreaks, and the pattern is always the same: they neglected routine IPAC practices and paid the price. Our pandemic preparedness IPAC strategies emphasize the importance of always being prepared.
The hidden costs of poor infection control extend far beyond the immediate outbreak response.
Myth #7: Infection Control Is Only for Healthcare Settings
The Fact: Infection prevention principles apply to any setting where people gather, though the specific protocols may differ.
I’ve consulted with diverse organizations including:
- Veterinary clinics (see our infection control in veterinary clinics services)
- Corporate offices
- Schools and daycares
- Food service establishments
- Personal care services
- Homeless shelters (learn about implementing IPAC services in homeless shelters)
Our IPAC for non-healthcare businesses program helps organizations outside traditional healthcare implement appropriate infection prevention measures.
The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that infectious diseases don’t respect boundaries. Any setting where people interact can facilitate disease transmission and benefits from basic IPAC principles.
Myth #8: If Inspection Standards Are Met, We’re Doing Everything Right
The Fact: Regulatory compliance is the minimum standard, not the gold standard.
Meeting inspection requirements means you’ve achieved the baseline. True infection prevention excellence requires:
- Going beyond minimum standards
- Staying current with emerging evidence
- Fostering a culture of continuous improvement
- Engaging staff at all levels in IPAC practices
- Regularly evaluating and updating your program
I’ve worked with facilities that passed inspections yet experienced HAI rates above regional averages. Compliance doesn’t equal optimal patient safety.
Our infection prevention and control business audit service evaluates your program against best practices, not just minimum standards. If you’re concerned about compliance, our guide on IPAC inspection preparation can help.
Myth #9: Natural or “Green” Cleaning Products Are Ineffective
The Fact: While some natural products lack antimicrobial efficacy, many environmentally preferable disinfectants meet regulatory standards.
The key is selecting products with:
- Health Canada approval (DIN number)
- Appropriate antimicrobial claims for your needs
- Published efficacy data against relevant pathogens
- Proper safety profiles for staff and patients
Environmental sustainability and infection prevention aren’t mutually exclusive. Many facilities successfully use green cleaning products alongside traditional disinfectants, choosing the right product for each application.
However, essential oils, vinegar, and other home remedies aren’t appropriate for healthcare settings. They lack standardization, regulatory approval, and proven antimicrobial efficacy.
Myth #10: Masks Are Only Necessary for Airborne Diseases
The Fact: Different masks serve different purposes, and respiratory protection extends beyond just airborne transmission.
Understanding respiratory protection requires knowing the three transmission routes:
- Contact transmission – Direct or indirect contact with contaminated surfaces
- Droplet transmission – Large respiratory particles (>5 microns) that travel short distances
- Airborne transmission – Small particles (<5 microns) that remain suspended and travel long distances
Medical masks (surgical masks) protect against droplets, while respirators (N95s) protect against airborne particles. Both have important roles:
- Medical masks for routine care and droplet precautions
- N95 respirators for airborne precautions and aerosol-generating medical procedures (AGMPs)
The confusion around mask use peaked during COVID-19, when respiratory protection recommendations evolved with emerging evidence. Understanding how to prevent getting infected by viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 includes proper respiratory protection.
The Real Principles of Effective Infection Prevention
Now that we’ve debunked the myths, let’s focus on what actually works. The 10 principles of infection control provide a framework for evidence-based practice:
- Standard Precautions – Treat all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious
- Hand Hygiene – The single most important intervention
- PPE Use – Right equipment, right time, right way
- Respiratory Hygiene – Cough etiquette and source control
- Environmental Cleaning – Regular, documented, and effective
- Safe Injection Practices – One needle, one syringe, one patient, one time
- Aseptic Technique – Maintaining sterile fields for invasive procedures
- Reprocessing of Reusable Equipment – Proper cleaning, disinfection, or sterilization
- Waste Management – Safe handling and disposal of contaminated materials
- Occupational Health – Protecting healthcare workers through vaccination and exposure protocols
These principles, not myths, should guide your infection prevention program.
How Modern Technology Supports Evidence-Based IPAC
One positive development I’ve witnessed is the integration of technology into infection prevention. Digital tools for IPAC help facilities move beyond myths to data-driven practice:
- Electronic surveillance systems track infection rates in real-time
- Digital checklists and audits ensure consistent compliance
- Automated monitoring of hand hygiene compliance
- Online training platforms provide accessible, standardized education
- AI-powered risk assessment identifies outbreak patterns early
Our article on AI transforming infection prevention explores how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing IPAC practice.
These innovations don’t replace human judgment but enhance our ability to implement evidence-based practices consistently.
Building a Culture of Evidence-Based Infection Prevention
Debunking myths is only the first step. Creating lasting change requires building a culture of infection prevention in healthcare institutions:
1. Leadership Commitment
- Visible support from management
- Adequate resources for IPAC programs
- Accountability at all organizational levels
2. Ongoing Education
- Regular staff training sessions
- Access to current evidence and guidelines
- IPAC training in Canada from qualified professionals
3. Open Communication
- Blame-free reporting of IPAC concerns
- Regular feedback on performance
- Staff involvement in policy development
4. Continuous Improvement
- Regular audits and assessments
- Action plans to address identified gaps
- Celebration of IPAC successes
5. Evidence-Based Practice
- Policies grounded in current research
- Regular review and updates
- Rejection of “we’ve always done it this way” mentality
The Cost-Benefit of Getting Infection Prevention Right
When I discuss IPAC with facility administrators, the conversation often turns to costs. However, the economics of infection control clearly demonstrate that prevention is far less expensive than dealing with HAIs:
Costs of Poor IPAC:
- Treatment of preventable infections
- Extended hospital stays
- Legal liabilities and settlements
- Failed inspections and remediation
- Reputation damage and lost business
- Staff sick time and turnover
Benefits of Strong IPAC:
- Reduced infection rates and associated costs
- Improved patient outcomes and satisfaction
- Regulatory compliance and positive inspections
- Enhanced reputation and competitive advantage
- Lower staff turnover and improved morale
- Reduced liability exposure
The cost-benefit of IPAC in healthcare analysis consistently shows positive return on investment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Infection Prevention Myths
Q: How can I tell if information about infection control is reliable or just another myth?
Look for sources backed by evidence from reputable organizations like the Public Health Agency of Canada, CDC, or Health Canada. Be skeptical of claims that sound too simple or contradict established guidelines. When in doubt, consult with an IPAC professional. Our guide on how to stay updated with evolving infection control standards can help you identify credible sources.
Q: We’ve been doing things a certain way for years without problems. Why change now?
The absence of detected problems doesn’t mean your practices are optimal. Many HAIs have subtle presentations, and surveillance systems may not capture all cases. Evidence-based practice evolves as we learn more about disease transmission and prevention. What was acceptable ten years ago may not meet current standards. Our failed IPAC audit recovery and prevention service helps facilities modernize their practices.
Q: Is it worth investing in IPAC education when we already meet minimum standards?
Absolutely. Staff who understand the “why” behind IPAC practices demonstrate better compliance and critical thinking. They can adapt to new situations, identify potential risks, and contribute to continuous improvement. IPAC staff training is an investment in sustainable infection prevention, not just a compliance checkbox.
Q: How do I convince my team to abandon practices based on myths?
Start with education about the evidence behind best practices. Share data on HAI rates and outbreak costs. Involve staff in developing new protocols so they feel ownership. Lead by example and celebrate those who embrace evidence-based practice. Change management is gradual, but consistent messaging and visible leadership support make it possible. Learn how to foster a culture of infection prevention in your institution.
How Infection Shield Consulting Can Help
At Infection Shield Consulting, I’ve dedicated my career to replacing myths with evidence-based infection prevention practices. Here’s how we support healthcare and non-healthcare facilities across Canada:
Comprehensive IPAC Audits We identify gaps between your current practices and evidence-based standards, providing detailed reports and actionable recommendations.
Customized Education and Training Our IPAC education and certification programs are tailored to your facility type and needs, from dental clinics to veterinary hospitals to long-term care facilities.
Policy Development and Review We develop evidence-based policies and procedures that reflect current standards and your facility’s unique context.
Outbreak Response Support When infection prevention fails, we provide rapid response consultation to control outbreaks and prevent recurrence.
Ongoing Consulting Our IPAC consulting services provide continuous support as regulations evolve and new evidence emerges.
Don’t let myths compromise your infection prevention program. Book a free consultation today to discuss how we can help your facility achieve excellence in IPAC.
Conclusion: Choose Facts Over Fiction
Infection prevention is too important to be left to myths and misconceptions. Every healthcare-associated infection represents a failure to implement evidence-based practices. Every outbreak rooted in outdated beliefs causes preventable suffering and costs.
As an IPAC consultant, I’ve seen the transformation that occurs when facilities commit to evidence-based practice. Infection rates drop. Staff confidence increases. Regulatory compliance improves. Patients receive safer care.
The myths we’ve discussed today persist because they’re simple, intuitive, and sometimes based on outdated information that was once considered correct. But simplicity doesn’t equal effectiveness. Intuition doesn’t replace evidence. And what worked in the past may not be sufficient today.
I encourage you to review your facility’s infection prevention practices critically. Question assumptions. Seek evidence. Invest in education. Build a culture where facts triumph over fiction.
The future of infection prevention lies in embracing complexity, staying current with emerging evidence, and committing to continuous improvement. Your patients, staff, and community deserve nothing less.
Ready to move your IPAC program from myth-based to evidence-based? Contact Infection Shield Consulting today. Together, we’ll build an infection prevention program grounded in facts, not fiction.About the Author: Kamyab Ghatan is the founder of Infection Shield Consulting, a leading IPAC consultancy serving healthcare and non-healthcare facilities across Canada. With extensive experience in infection prevention and control, Kamyab helps organizations implement evidence-based practices that protect patients, staff, and communities.