At its September meeting, CPSO’s Board of Directors approved a policy intended to help physicians keep up to-date on best infection prevention and control (IPAC) practices. The policy and accompanying Advice to the Profession document cover key high-risk IPAC areas identified through complaints data and consultation with CPSO and PHO staff, including:

• Routine Practices and Additional Precautions;
• reprocessing of medical equipment;
• medication safety and administration;
• environmental cleaning; and
• staff education.

The policy requires physicians to undertake IPAC practices in line with Public Health Ontario’s Infection Prevention and Control for Clinical Office Practice to prevent IPAC lapses which may compromise patient safety.