Pathogen Patrol – February 2025

The Problem: IPAC Is Not Easy 

If maintaining a strong IPAC program were easy, infections and outbreaks would not exist in long-term care homes. Unfortunately, there several issues that stand in the way of a strong IPAC program: 

• Complex regulations that add pressure to the program, making it more challenging to build a no-blame culture in your home 

• Not enough staff, making it hard to build consistent knowledge and expertise in your LTC home. This becomes especially problematic when staff turnover is high 

• Limited resources and funding, which makes it even more challenging to invest into the IPAC program and improve it 

The Plan: Set Clear Goals 

Despite the challenges mentioned above, a strong IPAC program can still be built in your LTC home. Start by setting specific, measurable goals such as: 

• Train your team with regular, engaging education sessions. Plan your educational plan ahead, as it will help you build the necessary knowledge in your home 

• Reduce infection rates by creating a detailed action plan that reinforces the necessary IPAC practices. Make sure to track your progress to understand whether your interventions are working 

• Update policies to ensure that you and your team are up-to-date on the latest regulatory requirements and IPAC best practice guidelines 

The Solution: Learn from the Past 

When you take a proactive approach, your IPAC program stops being a source of stress. Here’s how: 

• Review past outbreaks to uncover patterns, gaps in practice, and stop them from happening again. 

• Learn from others by adopting strategies that have worked in other homes. 

• Listen to your staff, the people on the front lines who know what’s working—and what’s not. Make sure you engage your staff and ask for their feedback often. 

Next Steps: Take Action Now 

Don’t let another year go by without making real progress. Here’s how you can start today: 

• Set clear, measurable goals to keep your IPAC program on track. 

• Build your team with training that’s practical and engaging. 

• Understand gaps in practice that were identified in the previous years, and set a clear goal to tackle them this year 

• Get expert help from an IPAC professional who understand the challenges you face and can assist you in building the IPAC culture you are thriving for. 

Still don’t know where to start? Book our IPAC Compliance Program and our team of expert can help you evaluate your IPAC program and set goals for the new year. 

You’ve worked too hard to let challenges derail your progress. This year let’s take control of your IPAC program and create a safer environment for residents and staff.