Reflection question: This reading discusses low compliance with IPAC practices by health care providers. Have you always followed IPAC practices in your workplace? What would you recommend at your current or a former workplace to ensure or increase compliance with IPAC practices?
Fortunately my work environment takes the IPAC very seriously. Upon new client to our CCP program, risk assessment is completed day of admission, swabs taken, HX of immunizations.
We will start a line list that is to be completed when any infections are suspected/present.
Each client is isolated in private room, if client is in shared room the other client will remain in the same room as precautions. All meal service is delivered with disposable dishes. all set up outside of room PPE carts, signage is added and appropriate, this is usually reviewed by CN on floor to ensure this is completed correctly.
IPAC practices are followed in my workplace, frequent huddles daily for each shift or any new concerns are immediately posted or reported to on floor staff by charge nurse, emails. All staff are aware of hand hygiene audits that can be anytime during shifts, signage of room isolation is appropriate for the individual, all families and physician care team are all notified.
Hi Diane,
Your post highlights how effective IPAC relies on teamwork, timely assessments, and clear communication. I especially like that your workplace practices daily huddles, hand hygiene audits, and proper isolation signage play a key role in preventing the spread of infection and ensuring client and staff safety. These are easy to implement but requires the team approach.
My workplace is very strict with IPAC practices because of vulnerability. I love the consistency at my workplace, which includes proper hand hygiene, which must be done with auditing each day when any resident is in isolation. Also, the correct use of personal PPE, safe handling, and disposal of sharps and waste. Included is environmental cleaning, and following isolation precautions when required.
I would recommend IPAC training and refreshers for all staff, Routine audits and feedback to reinforce best practices, and encouraging a culture where staff feel comfortable speaking up about IPAC concerns. And lastly, keeping policies up to date and aligned with current Public health guidelines.
Hi Ibikemi,
This is a strong example of effective IPAC implementation. The emphasis on early risk assessment, clear communication, consistent isolation practices, and staff accountability demonstrates a well-organized approach that prioritizes both client and staff safety.
Hi Ibikemi, I like your idea of IPAC training refreshers as it’ll remind staff to the rational of why we follow IPAC polices and remind staff on how to correctly follow the polices helping to better support staff with their level of care. The place where I work also completes routinely audits which is effective as it can help to identify the gaps in knowledge and to remind staff on proper practice.
I really appreciate how you highlighted the importance of consistency in IPAC practices, especially with auditing hand hygiene and proper PPE use—those measures truly make a difference in protecting vulnerable residents. Your suggestions for ongoing training, routine audits, and fostering a culture where staff feel comfortable speaking up are excellent ways to strengthen infection prevention and ensure policies stay aligned with current public health guidelines.
I do my best to follow IPAC practices in my workplace, but I recognize that during busy shifts or high workload, it can be challenging to be 100% compliant at all times. Reflecting on this, I believe better compliance can be supported through ongoing education, clear reminders on the unit, and easy access to hand hygiene and PPE supplies. A supportive environment where staff feel comfortable reminding each other would also help improve IPAC practices and patient safety.
Hi Rebecca, I quite agree with you that continuing education on the importance of IPAC protocols such as hand hygiene, proper disposal of sharps, the use of PPE can increase the rate of compliance among staff and visitors. Signages posted in areas of high traffic within the building can also help by serving as reminders to each person in the facility.
My workplace is consistent with following IPAC protocols. Having memos sent out with new information regarding infectious disease directed to events like outbreaks in the facilities, communities, staff, and seasonal infections. especially right now during flu season. Auditing is done often in my work place but often on the same staff. Implementing Auditing to new staff or different staff each time could increase monitoring, education and feedback.
I completely agree. It sounds like your workplace has strong systems in place, such as memos and frequent auditing, which are important for keeping staff informed and maintaining IPAC compliance. I also think rotating audits to include different staff members each time is a great idea! Regular communication and team accountability really make a difference in keeping both staff and clients safe
The IPAC lead in our facility I would recommend audit resident doorways to observe staff using ABHR
New staff or agency staff should have training, meet the infection control lead where (he, she) assesses the new employee’s knowledge
Refresh the employee of the homes policy
IPAC lead should report they are available if new hires have questions
Remind new staff audits and observations are routinely practiced
Hi Tracey, I think that its a great idea that the IPAC lead at your home is the one that completes the IPAC audits as they are the ones most knowledgeable working on the floors regarding the IPAC polices being able to identify areas where IPAC protocols are not being followed. I believe with this they can come together with the IPAC manager if there are ingoing issues to come up with interventions to help support staff with ensuring they are successful with IPAC procedures for example. Maybe there isn’t enough easy access to hand sanitizer with a unit. They could help by creating hand hygiene/hand sanitizer stations in each unit adding in more areas with hand sanitizer, this makes it easier and faster for staff to perform hand hygiene in any area in the home as well as helping them to do so right away.
Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) protocols at my previous workplace were very strict. Patients were swabbed upon admission and remained in single rooms until their results were confirmed negative. If there was a shortage of single rooms and patients were initially placed in shared rooms, they were transferred to single rooms as soon as possible. All patient statuses, including isolation requirements and door signage, were updated during rounds. Personal protective equipment (PPE) was readily available at stations outside every patient room. Visitors and family members were also instructed on the proper use of PPE when patients were under isolation precautions. Regular audits were conducted by IPAC team members, and updates on new findings or protocols were communicated through emails and shared during huddles by the charge nurse. Signage promoting hand hygiene, including the four moments of hand hygiene, was posted throughout the unit and in bathrooms to reinforce the importance of adherence to proper hand hygiene practices.
It sounds like your previous workplace had very thorough IPAC protocols, which clearly helped keep both patients and staff safe. I agree that measures like swabbing upon admission, using single rooms when possible, updating isolation status regularly and providing PPE for staff and visitors are all essential! I also think that the combination of regular audits and clear communication through emails and huddles is a great way to reinforce compliance and ensure everyone stays informed.
Infection prevention and control protocols are firmly adhered to in my place of work. Swabs are collected from new residents and they are placed on contact precautions until results are received. Regular audits of staff compliance with the IPAC measures are also carried out by the IPAC team. Signages and carts containing the required PPE are place by the doors of residents living with infection. Alcohol based hand rubs are available in each residents room, at the reception into the facility , nursing stations and chart rooms. During outbreaks ,families, and relatives, and friends of residents are educated on the use of ABHR and PPE to prevent infection/transmission. I would only recommend monitoring of visitors for compliance to IPAC protocols to improve compliance with the measures in place.
Thank you for sharing this detailed overview of IPAC practices in your workplace. It’s encouraging to see such comprehensive measures in place, especially the use of contact precautions for new residents, regular staff audits, and easy access to PPE and alcohol-based hand rubs. Educating families and visitors during outbreaks is also an important strategy to reduce transmission. I agree with your recommendation to more closely monitor visitor compliance, as visitors can unintentionally contribute to the spread of infection if protocols are not consistently followed.
In my experience, I’ve often observed that some PSW’s do not always fully follow IPAC practices. This highlights that infection prevention and control is truly a team effort – everyone’s participation is essential to protect clients. To improve compliance, I would recommend leading by example, holding eachother accountable, providing regular reminders and maintaining clear communication and ongoing education so that all team members consistently follow IPAC protocols. By working together and supporting one another, the team can create a safer environment for both clients and staff.
I agree this is a team effort, leading by example is a way to show its not a useless to use the best practice such as hand washing, i agree I’ve seen many PSWs in facility not participate or wont bother to find a sink to wash hands properly, too many people i see use 2 sets of gloves, out facility will do surprise visits to audit unsafe practices.
During my practice with IPAC team I noticed that new hires, students, agency staff are coming with low compliance. To improve it, I would recommend to provide orientation in IPAC training. Education and annual refreshes must be provided to all of the staff. Including hands-on demonstrations (hands hygiene, PPE donning/doffing). Recognize and reward for following compliance and good practice.
I like the idea of having IPAC provided during orientation. My facility requires staff to complete annual refreshers online through surge learning but this is very ineffective. Staff should be provided with in person training to show/learn proper technique. This way they can be sure they are in compliance.
My facility has areas where they can improve with IPAC. Hands on training for staff, both current and new hires, can ensure staff are knowledgeable in proper techniques and following best practices. I would recommend they perform more staff audits to ensure compliance and recognize areas that need improving. My facility is quick to detect and isolate those who are feeling unwell. When an outbreak is suspected, line listing is initiated for tracking. They keep in contact with PHU and follow directions and recommendations given. Administration is quick to send out a notice informing of an outbreak or a suspected outbreak and encouraging those to stay home. During an outbreak my facility brings in additional housekeeping staff to help clean and disinfect.
As a nurse I do try to be in compliance and follow best practice. However this can be difficult at times, especially during busy shifts, working short or when something unexpected happens and catches you off guard. Recognizing where these areas where IPAC was not followed can help to improve and prevent future incidents from occurring.
I think that I try to be compliant of all routine practices however I know that just being busy is one of the quickest ways that things tend to slip. When trying to complete a med pass for 40+ residents in only 2 hours it can be difficult to remember to use hand sanitizer between every single resident can be tough. I think that just by making hand sanitizer visible and within easy reach is the best way to try to increase compliance.
Other routine practices like using gloves or masks and easier to follow and my work place makes it easier by making sure PPE is easily accessible in resident rooms and in the hallways.
Thank you, Alexandra, for your honesty. Workload of 40+ resident can absolutely make following IPAC practices difficult to maintain. Even when staff are knowledgeable and well intentioned about IPAC practices, sometimes added responsibilities or unexpected events can be hard to manage. You’re right that visibility and easy access to hand hygiene products make a big difference, and your suggestion work well with IPAC best practices to keep both resident and staff safe.
I know that I have tried to follow the IPAC practices to the best of my abilities at my previous workplaces. Occasional heavy workload and staffing shortages can be challenging for healthcare workers. To improve compliance, I would recommend regular refresher training and frequent reminders to help reinforce IPAC practices. Staff should feel comfortable reminding each other about IPAC practices and not have the fear of judgment or blame.
Yes I have always followed IPAC practices as following them reduces the spread of infection protecting both the patient and the health care provider. One thing that I would recommend IPAC compliance is performing audits. For example I have performed PPE audits where I watch as staff don and doff the correct PPE in the correct order. By doing so I am ensuring that IPAC polices are being followed and am identifying gaps in knowledge and educating staff where necessary to ensure IPAC policies are being followed.
IPAC is so important, But I feel like it is one of the most underused things. AT work I am an IPAC “Champion” so I do a lot of audits and its still missed so much! When I work the Cart I make a conscious effort to ensure I am washing my hands often. I place the sanitizer on the top of the cart so every time I come back it is right in my face! I also make sure PSW staff always have Sani wipes and sanitizer all over to ensure they always have it, and always have it for the residents especially before meals.
Being an IPAC Champion and actively auditing shows real leadership. I love the practical strategies you use, especially keeping sanitizer visible on the cart — that visual cue makes such a difference. Ensuring PSWs and residents have easy access to wipes and sanitizer is a simple but powerful way to strengthen compliance and reinforce a culture of safety. Welldone.
As an RPN working in the community, I try to consistently follow IPAC practices, but time pressures, supply access, and unpredictable home environments can sometimes make full compliance challenging. I would recommend ensuring easy access to PPE, providing regular practical refreshers, and promoting a supportive safety culture would increase compliance.
You’ve made a very realistic and honest point. Community nursing does present unique challenges, especially with time constraints and varying home environments. I agree that consistent access to PPE, ongoing practical refreshers, and a supportive safety culture are key to improving IPAC compliance and protecting both clients and nurses.
As a visiting nurse, I strive to consistently follow IPAC practices, including hand hygiene, appropriate PPE use, equipment cleaning, and safe waste disposal. However, I recognize that in community settings, where environments are unpredictable and time pressures exist, maintaining strict adherence requires constant vigilance and self-awareness.
To improve compliance, I would recommend ongoing IPAC education with regular refreshers, easy access to PPE and hand hygiene supplies in nursing kits, periodic audits with constructive feedback, and clear agency policies tailored to community care realities. Encouraging a culture of accountability and open discussion about barriers to compliance would also strengthen adherence and promote patient and provider safety.