Last update: March 3, 2023
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Infection prevention and control (IPAC) measures protect healthcare professionals, staff, and patients from the spread of disease, including COVID-19. A risk assessment of your clinic and exam rooms prior to any interaction with patients will help to determine which IPAC measures are needed, depending on the specific setting and procedures being performed. The resources below may assist as you implement appropriate IPAC measures within your practice.
Public Health Ontario: Interim IPAC Recommendations for use of Personal Protective Equipment for Care of Individuals with Suspect or Confirmed COVID-19 (PDF).
- Incorporates evidence to date on modes of transmission, effectiveness of personal protective equipment (PPE) in healthcare workers (HCWs) and the undetermined impact of the emergence of variants and their lineages. Recommendations will be updated as needed based on emerging information
Recommendations in the guidance include:
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- The recommended PPE when providing direct care for patients with suspect or confirmed COVID-19 includes a fit-tested, seal-checked N95 respirator (or equivalent or greater protection), eye protection, gown, and gloves. Other appropriate PPE includes a well-fitted medical (surgical/procedure) mask, or non-fit tested respirator, eye protection, gown and gloves for direct care of patients with suspect or confirmed COVID-19.
- Fit tested N95 respirators (or equivalent) should be used with all other recommended personal protective equipment when aerosol generating medical procedures (AGMPs) are performed or anticipated to be performed on patients with suspect or confirmed COVID‑19.
Preparing your office
The Hierarchy of Controls is an occupational health and safety framework for controlling hazards in the environment. The controls at the top of the hierarchy inverted triangle are the most effective measures, with personal protective equipment (PPE) being the least effective measure of control. All the levels of the framework are important, as they create many layers of protection. This framework can help to structure the approach to COVID-19 IPAC in a clinical setting:
Photo: The National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety
Elimination and substitution |
This layer of IPAC protection prevents people with COVID-19 from coming into the setting without knowledge of the health care professional, through active and passive screening..
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Engineering controls |
COVID-19 can be spread by people with asymptomatic infections. Ventilation, physical barriers, and re-designed work areas to facilitate physical distancing can help decrease the risk of COVID-19 spreading from an infectious person.
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Administrative controls |
IPAC policies and procedures; healthy workplace policy; education and training; signage.
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Personal protective equipment (PPE) |
Resources:
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Additional Resources
- Clinical Office Practice IPAC webpage, Public Health Ontario (includes a practical IPAC checklist and video resources. Contact information for the Regional IPAC Support Team is available here as well).
- COVID-19 Healthcare Resources, Public Health Ontario
- Infection Prevention and Control – Online Learning, Public Health Ontario
- Primary Care Operations in the COVID-19 Context, The Centre for Effective Practice
For more information on Infection Prevention and Control, please see our page Infection Prevention and Control Resources for Healthcare Professionals.
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