Pathogen Patrol – January 2025
IPAC Practices and Reprocessing: A New Year’s Resolution for Patient Safety
By: Lauren Lebre | BSc, MHSc
As an IPAC Consultant specializing in cosmetic surgical spaces, I see the start of the new year as an opportunity for clinics to evaluate and enhance their IPAC practices. One area that often requires specialized attention is the proper reprocessing of medical instruments. This often-overlooked but crucial process plays a critical role in keeping clients safe—ensuring that instruments are cleaned, sterilized, packaged, and labeled to the highest standards. Neglecting these steps can lead to healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), compromising both the safety and well-being of clients and putting the clinic’s reputation at risk.
A Wake-Up Call: Learning from a Recent IPAC Lapse
A recent case in Ontario serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of infection prevention and control (IPAC) practices. In 2022, an investigation revealed serious deficiencies in reprocessing procedures at a local cosmetic surgery clinic. Instruments were not being sterilized according to regulations, and significant issues with packaging and labeling compliance were identified. The consequences? Clients were exposed and placed at potential risk of infection.
This incident underscores an uncomfortable truth: even seemingly minor lapses in IPAC protocols can have serious consequences. In response to the investigation, the clinic took decisive action—implementing staff retraining, overhauling sterilization processes, and reinforcing the importance of proper reprocessing.
It was a wake-up call but also a pivotal moment, emphasizing the necessity of ongoing vigilance. This includes regular audits, comprehensive IPAC training, and robust quality assurance measures. These steps are not just best practices—they are essential to maintaining client safety and trust in cosmetic surgical spaces.
Moving Ahead: A New Year’s Commitment to Stronger IPAC Practices
As we look forward to 2025, now is the time for clinics to analyze their own infection control practices. With the fresh start of a new year, there’s no better moment to revisit and refine your IPAC protocols, particularly those related to the reprocessing of medical instruments. Routine staff training, accurate documentation, and a solid quality assurance system are key to reducing the risk of infections and ensuring the safest patient care possible.
By committing to these essential practices, cosmetic surgery clinics can not only protect their clients but also reinforce the trust that is critical between a client and the clinic providing their care. Proper reprocessing of medical instruments might sound simple, but it’s a small step that goes a long way in preventing infections, improving client safety, and safeguarding the clinic’s reputation.
Our Accreditation-Specific General Office Assessment for Cosmetic Surgery Clinical Staff, led by a certified IPAC Consultant, evaluates your clinic’s policies, training, record-keeping, and infrastructure, including the sterilization center. Aligned with Public Health & Accreditation Standards, this service is the starting point to ensuring your clinic is ready for accreditation. Learn more here.
