National Infection Control Week 2024

Today marks the start of National Infection Control Week (NICW) 2024, an opportunity to celebrate and highlight the efforts of infection prevention and control (IPAC) professionals across health care settings. This year’s theme, Prevent with Intent, underscores our proactive commitment to infection prevention through a strategic focus, drawing valuable lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic. By prioritizing intentional prevention, we aim to enhance our preparedness for future health crises and reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections and outbreaks. You can learn more about this year’s theme by visiting IPAC Canada’s website.

IPAC at Public Health Ontario (PHO)

PHO is proud to recognize the leadership, educational efforts, systematic surveillance, advocacy, and innovation of our IPAC team. We provide public health professionals with expertise, support and resources related to IPAC. Explore PHO’s newest resources:

Upcoming events:

PHO Webinar: Don’t Know Where to Start? Try an Organizational Risk Assessment - October 17, 2024

PHO Webinar: Antibiotic Resistant Organisms (AROs) – Time for a Rewind - October 18, 2024

Check out Action IPAC for proposed IPAC activities during NICW!

We encourage our partners to review activities #9, #10, and the National Infection Prevention Control week activity on page 34, designed to enhance IPAC practices and are essential for promoting safety in all health care settings.

IPAC resources for the respiratory season:

• How to Protect Yourself and Others from Respiratory Viruses
• Cohorting in Respiratory Virus Outbreaks AND Scenarios for Resident Cohorting
• Recommended Steps: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (Revised July 2024)
• IPAC Checklist for Long-Term Care and Retirement Homes
• Outbreak Preparedness, Prevention and Management in Congregate Living Settings

For all IPAC related information and resources, check out PHO’s IPAC webpage.