HPEPH is available to connect all health care providers with the information they need to prevent and control infections.
To submit a complaint about a facility, fill out the online complaint form.
IPAC Guidelines and Resources
Although physicians and dentists are self-regulated and held accountable by their respective colleges, the Ministry of Health’s Ontario Public Health Standard, Infection Prevention and Control Complaints Protocol requires Public Health to make unannounced inspections if there is a public complaint or an epidemiologically identified lapse. However, we want to work with you before that happens – we want to be your partner in keeping our community safe. Should you have any concerns about whether your practice is meeting IPAC guidelines, please review:
Dental Professionals
- Infection Prevention and Control for Dental Offices – Presented at HPEPH March 2019
- Checklist: Reprocessing in Dental Practice Settings – PHO
- Checklist: IPAC Core Elements in Dental Practice Settings – PHO
- CDHO Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Guidelines
- CDHO Decision Tree for Chemical Indicators
- PHO Reprocessing steps
Physicians
- CPSO’s Guidelines for Infection Prevention and Control in Clinical Practice
- Best Practices for Infection Prevention and Control Program in Ontario in all Health Care Settings
- FAQ: IPAC Lapses – PHO
- Infection Prevention and Control for Clinical Office Practice – PIDAC
- Best Practices for Cleaning, Disinfection and Sterilization of Medical Equipment/Devices In All Health Care Settings, 3rd edition
Institutional Settings
In accordance with the Health Protection and Promotion Act and the Ontario Public Health Standards, Public Health inspectors and nurses work closely with long-term care homes, retirement homes, hospitals, and other institutional settings to prevent or reduce the burden of infectious diseases of public health importance. For more information, review Infection Prevention and Control Best Practices for Long-Term Care, Home and Community Care including Health Care Offices and Ambulatory Clinics, or visit our Outbreak Management page.
- IPAC Self-Assessment for Congregate Living Settings
- Activities to Support Infection Prevention and Control Practices in Congregate Living Settings
Need More information?
All health care providers are invited to contact HPEPH directly at 613-966-5500 x 349 at any time for consultation or further guidance. We want to work with you to ensure that the IPAC guidelines are put in practice to protect clients, patients, and health care workers from preventable infections. You may also wish to pursue online educational opportunities offered through Public Health Ontario:
IPAC Lapse Disclosures
The Ministry of Health has directed all Public Health units to publicly disclose more detailed information on non-routine infection prevention and control (IPAC) lapse investigations where they are identified. An IPAC lapse is a departure from infection prevention and control standards. The result could be infectious disease transmission to patients or staff through exposure to blood or body fluids. An example would be medical equipment that is improperly cleaned and can spread infection from one patient to another. HPEPH encourages health care providers to review the IPAC best practices and resources listed on this page to reduce the risk of an IPAC lapse. Local IPAC lapses are posted on our Notices page. For additional information:
