IPAC Complaints and Lapses for Regulated Health Professionals

Public Health does not routinely inspect places where regulated health professionals (RHP) operate such as walk-in clinics, chiropractor or dental offices unless an infection control complaint is received. If an infection control complaint is received, Public Health will initiate an investigation within 24 hours to determine if there is a risk of an infection prevention and control (IPAC) lapse to the public.

What is an IPAC lapse?

“…a deviation from IPAC standard of care, based on current IPAC standard of care documents from the Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee (PIDAC), Public Health Ontario (PHO), or the ministry… [which] may result in infectious disease transmission to the premises’ clients, attendees or staff through the exposure to blood, body fluids and/or potentially infectious lesions.”

IPAC lapse definition, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC)

If an IPAC lapse is identified

The Ministry of health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) mandates that if an IPAC lapse is identified, Public Health will ensure corrective action is taken and disclose the lapse on our website. To see the full investigation report for any posted complaint, call 1-800-265-7293 ext. 4752. In the event of an IPAC lapse, Public Health is required to notify the RHPs regulatory college of the complaint inspection findings.

Resources

It is recommended that all RHPs and their staff are aware of current IPAC Best Practice guidelines and adhere to them when providing service to the public. Current PIDAC Best Practice documents and many free training opportunities are available on Public Health Ontario’s website:

• PIDAC Best Practice Documents:
  • Infection Prevention and Control for Clinical Office Practice
  • Cleaning, Disinfection and Sterilization of Medical Equipment and Devices
  • Environmental Cleaning for Prevention and Control of Infections
  • Routine Practices and Additional Precautions: Annexes A, B and C
  • Best Practices for Hand Hygiene
• Reprocessing in Community Health Care Settings
• Core Competencies Training
  • Hand Hygiene
  • Personal Protective Equipment
  • Chain of Transmission
  • Environmental Cleaning
  • Risk assessment
  • Additional Precautions
• Environmental Cleaning Toolkit

Other resources and training opportunities

• CSA Standards
• Medical Device Reprocessing Training – MDRAO (for fee, in-person)