9.1 Infection Prevention and Control

An infectious disease is “caused by the entrance into the body of pathogenic agents or microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, protozoans, or fungi, which grow or multiply there” (Merriam-Webster, n.d.). Common infectious diseases include the common cold, influenza, COVID, hepatitis, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), norovirus, strep throat, and pneumonia.

Infections can be easily shared and spread in a shared physical environment, such as the facilities where we work and where our residents and patients live and receive care. That is why the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Act requires every facility to have an infection prevention and control (IPAC) program.