Infection Prevention and Control (IP&C)

Infection prevention and control (IP&C) programs are crucial for maintaining a safe and healthy environment within healthcare facilities. Our corporate IP&C program goal is to identify and minimize the risk of hospital-associated infections (HAI’s), among patients, healthcare providers and visitors. Infection Control Professionals and Infectious Disease Physicians work with the staff, physicians and volunteers to achieve this goal in a number of ways including surveillance, education and collaboration.

Surveillance

We monitor for infections including antibiotic resistant organisms and communicable diseases to make decisions about our hospital practices, initiate necessary control measures and improve safety.

Education

Healthcare staff need ongoing education and training on a number of topics including infection control policies and protocols, hand hygiene, personal protective equipment and infectious diseases. We provide education on a number of different infection prevention and control related topics for staff from all departments as well as patients, visitors and volunteers.

Collaboration

We work closely with other programs, departments and external partners to share expertise and resources to enhance infection control practices. We build relationships and participate in community of practice groups to strengthen our efforts and promote a safe environment for patients, healthcare providers and our community.

How YOU Can Help

Hand Hygiene - Care Begins with Clean
Hand hygiene is your best defense against infection. Gloves are not a substitute for hand hygiene. We encourage everyone to clean their hands often while visiting or staying at the hospital. Hand hygiene stations are located throughout the hospital and at all entrances and exits.

It is recommended that you perform hand hygiene thoroughly at the following times:

• When you enter and leave the hospital
• When you enter and leave a patient room
• Before eating
• After using the washroom
• After coughing, sneezing and blowing your nose

Cover Your Cough
Patients and visitors have the choice to wear a face mask at Halton Healthcare facilities including the three hospitals – Georgetown Hospital, Milton District Hospital and Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital. Face mask dispensers are available at all main entrances for those who prefer to continue to wear one.

Respiratory infections like the flu and COVID spread easily. When you cough or sneeze it is important to cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or with your forearm to block your cough or sneeze. Remember to wash your hands before touching surfaces.

Caring for Patients Requiring Additional Precautions
Patients may require Additional Precautions if your doctor, nurse or the IP&C team identify the need based on clinical condition, laboratory results or illness. You may need to stay in your room but you can continue to have visitors. Special signs will be posted on the door frame outside your room indicating the use of personal protective equipment. Specific instructions as identified by the healthcare team should be followed to minimize the risk of transmission.

If you have questions regarding infection control during your hospital stay, ask your nurse and doctor or ask for a member of the IP&C team to visit.

Halton IPAC Hub for Community Based Infection Control

The Halton IPAC Hub is an extension of our IP&C team what works closely with community healthcare partners to help inform and strengthen IP&C practices in congregate care settings. View the Halton IPAC Hub website for more information.