Infection Prevention and Control

Note: This article was originally posted in our December 2016 newsletter, and has not been updated.  Some of the information in this article may no longer be current.

Infection prevention and control (IPAC) is a daily part of midwifery practice in all settings – clinic, hospital, and community, including homes. Attention to IPAC is a key area for discussion in the midwifery community and a number of new resources are available that are applicable to midwifery practice.

IPAC is a core competency in the Canadian Competencies for Midwives , in that entry-level midwives should have the knowledge and skill to: limit the spread of disease by using appropriate infection control measures.

The College expects members to:

1. know what the current infection control guidelines are for all practice settings;
2. assess risks and know how to apply infection control procedures;
3. adhere to current infection control programs;
4. educate and model infection control practices for others;
5. be aware of what infection control resources are available;
6. advocate for best practices in infection control;
7. ensure ongoing quality of infection control practices;
8. utilize personal protective equipment appropriate to the setting; and
9. monitor changes to infection control practices and update practise accordingly.

Through continued work with the Association of Ontario Midwives, on the IPAC Work Group, the following resources have been identified to support members in their continued learning and achievement of IPAC standards:

Association of Ontario Midwives

Public Health Ontario online resources, including online modules on re-processing in the community

IPAC checklists for clinical office practice

Provincial Infectious Disease Advisory Committees documents

Medical Device Reprocessing Course