{"id":1281,"date":"2024-11-27T14:20:07","date_gmt":"2024-11-27T19:20:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/live-coto.pantheonsite.io\/?post_type=resource&p=1281"},"modified":"2025-01-02T08:26:03","modified_gmt":"2025-01-02T13:26:03","slug":"standard-for-infection-prevention-and-control-ipac-2023","status":"publish","type":"resource","link":"https:\/\/www.coto.org\/resources\/standard-for-infection-prevention-and-control-ipac-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Standard for Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC), 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
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Standard for Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC)<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n\n
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Occupational therapists protect the public by <\/em>using best practices to minimize the risks of transmitting infection. Public Health Ontario (PHO) defines IPAC as \u201cevidence-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\u201d (PHO, 2021).
In addition to infectious agents, occupational therapists must be aware of other environmental factors that could impact client health and safety, such as insect infestations or food-borne illnesses. Refer to Appendix 1 for IPAC resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Occupational therapists are expected to:<\/em><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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1. Know and apply current, evidence-informed best practices<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n\n
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1.1<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
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Identify and access current and best-practice IPAC resources relevant to the practice setting.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

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1.2<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
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Develop or apply existing IPAC policies and procedures including routine practices such as hand hygiene and the selection and use of personal protective equipment. Ensure that equipment is cleaned and maintained.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

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1.3<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
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Inform clients and others about IPAC best practices as they relate to service provision.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

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1.4<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
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Ensure that protocols are in place when risks of transmission are not preventable and address adverse events related to IPAC. Use clinical judgement, collaborate with clients to find alternative options if risks remain high, and document these processes.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

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1.5<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
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Advocate for adequate resources to support IPAC best practices.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2. Control the environment<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n\n
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2.1<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
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Conduct a point-of-care risk assessment.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

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2.2<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
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Understand and apply evidence-informed cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization protocols for the practice setting\u2019s physical environment, devices, and equipment. Comply with the equipment manufacturer\u2019s instructions for use and best practices for cleaning. Appendix 2 explains the three types of equipment and devices: non-critical, semi-critical, and critical.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

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2.3<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
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Follow additional College and public health directives when working with practice modalities requiring IPAC measures.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

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2.4<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
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Use clinical judgement to determine when commonly used items such as pens and measuring tapes should be reused, cleaned, or discarded.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

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2.5<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
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As best practices for IPAC evolve, review and update protocols for cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing devices and equipment.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n