week20

OPHS Policy Framework

To improve the health and well being of the population of Ontario and reduce
health inequities

outcomes: to improve health and quality of life
• Reduce morbidity and premature mortality
• Reduce health inequities among population groups

Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC)

Published by the Minister of Health, under the HPPA
• Minimum expectations for Public Health programs
• Define the work that Public Health does
• Boards of Health are accountable to implement the standards; transparency
• Regulations always supersede the standard if there is a conflict

Role of Public Health

• Receive IPAC complaints from a variety of
settings
• Review complaint details and follow up with the
complainant
• Follow up with diseases of public health
significance (i.e., BBI) including exposure history
• Review surveillance data related to the premises
named in the complaint (as applicable)

actions PH can take

• Require corrective actions based on findings
• Education
• Enforcement
• Re-inspection(s)
• Client recall and notification

lapse meaning

a failure to follow IPAC practices resulting in a risk of
transmission of infectious diseases to clients,
attendees, or staff through exposure to blood, body
fluids, secretions, excretions, mucous membranes,
non-intact skin, or contaminated equipment and soiled
items

example of lapse IPAC

• Lapse spanned 15 years
• Risk assessment completed
• Qualitatively estimated the risk of infection to be
“low” for HBV and HCV and “very low” for HIV
• Client notification via letters
• 4,595 patients were identified
• Only 33.3% underwent the recommended testing
• Testing Yielded
• Two new HCV cases (one chronic and one resolved)
• NO NEW diagnoses of HBV or HIV
• No evidence of transmission of HBV, HCV or HIV in
this case