Infection Control Exchange

Does a faster test always lead to a better decision?In this episode of The Infection Control Exchange, recorded at IPAC GTA Education Day, host Wayne Tucker explores rapid antigen testing versus PCR for influenza A, influenza B and COVID-19.The conversation focuses on practical questions healthcare teams face: how reliable the result is, how quickly staff can act on it, and what it means for patient or resident precautions.Topics include:• The differences between rapid antigen and molecular PCR testing.• Strengths and limitations of each approach.• Negative antigen results and the risk of false reassurance.• How faster multiplex PCR can support clinical and IPAC decisions.• Implications for isolation, cohorting, patient placement and outbreak response.• Testing considerations in hospitals, long-term care, ambulatory care, and rural settings.• Costs, workflow, repeat testing and potential duplication.As rapid PCR becomes more accessible, should healthcare organizations reconsider where rapid antigen testing fits?Hosted by Wayne Tucker, BA, MSc (Psych), EMBA, MSc (IPAC), CIC, LTC-CIP.Subscribe for more practical conversations about infection prevention and control.Explore The Infection Control Exchange:https://www.infectioncontrolexchange.comWhat role does rapid antigen testing play in your organization? Share your perspective in the comments.

Construction and renovation in long-term care take place in a setting that is both a care environment and someone’s home. How can teams manage infection risks while protecting residents’ routines, comfort and quality of life?In this episode of The Infection Control Exchange Podcast, host Wayne Tucker welcomes Youhanna Salib to explore the complexities of construction and infection prevention and control in LTC.Recorded at the IPAC GTA Education Day, this conversation focuses on the planning, communication and collaboration needed when construction takes place alongside ongoing resident care.Topics include:• The unique challenges of construction in an occupied LTC home.• Early IPAC involvement and the Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) for all projects, renovations and new construction. • Managing dust, containment, airflow and movement around the worksite.• Resident-centred planning and continuity of care.• Communication between IPAC, Facilities, contractors, clinical teams and Environmental Services.• Monitoring changing conditions and preparing renovated spaces for use.Whether you work in IPAC, long-term care leadership, Facilities, Environmental Services or construction project management, this episode offers an opportunity to reflect on how resident protection can remain central throughout a project.Thank you to our guest and the IPAC GTA Education Day organizers for supporting this conversation.Hosted by Wayne Tucker, BA, MSc (Psych), EMBA, MSc (IPAC), CIC, LTC-CIP.Explore The Infection Control Exchange:https://www.infectioncontrolexchange.comSubscribe for more conversations connecting infection prevention knowledge with everyday practice.This episode is an educational discussion. Project-specific decisions require an appropriate risk assessment and consideration of applicable standards and local requirements.

Who counts as an ICP—and who is missing from the picture?Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) includes infection control roles within its registered nursing category. Yet the IPAC workforce includes professionals from public health, microbiology, epidemiology, laboratory science, and other fields.These professionals are doing IPAC work, but their roles may be dispersed across different occupational classifications. That makes it difficult to see the full workforce.In this episode of The Infection Control Exchange Podcast, recorded at the IPAC GTA Education Day, Wayne Tucker and his guest discuss:• What the National Occupational Classification is and why it matters• The limitations of representing IPAC primarily through nursing• The case for a standalone classification for IPAC professionals• Potential implications for recruitment, education, professional recognition, and workforce planning• How to recognize diverse professional backgrounds while maintaining clear expectations for IPAC expertiseWhat professional background did you bring to IPAC? Share your experience in the comments.

Building an Infection Control Culture in Oral SurgeryA written protocol is essential, but what happens during a busy clinical day? In an oral surgery practice, infection control culture shows up in the decisions staff make, the concerns they raise, and the way the team responds when something is difficult to do safely.In this episode of The Infection Control Exchange Podcast, recorded at the IPAC GTA Education Day, Wayne Tucker and his guest discuss:• The difference between compliance and a true culture of infection control• Where to start when a practice wants to shift mindsets• Ways to engage frontline staff and make audits and education more meaningful• How to address pushback and fatigue without becoming the “compliance cop”• One practical step a team can take to begin improving its cultureThis conversation is for oral surgery teams and anyone working to make infection prevention a shared part of everyday practice.What has helped staff take ownership of infection control in your workplace? Share your experience in the comments.Watch or listen to The Infection Control Exchange Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.

Welcome to Episode 50 of The Infection Control Exchange and Episode 3 of our four-part MDRD series: “Sterilization: Proving the Process Worked.”A completed sterilizer cycle does not automatically mean a load is ready for use. Sterility assurance requires the correct process, proper packaging and loading, acceptable cycle parameters, careful monitoring and complete documentation.In this episode:• Steam and low-temperature sterilization• Device and cycle compatibility• Packaging and loading practices• Physical, chemical and biological monitoring• Bowie-Dick and other air-removal testing• Load release and traceability• Wet packs and failed cycles• Recalls and incident response• The importance of safety culture and MDRD expertiseNo single indicator proves everything. Safe load release is based on several pieces of evidence and the knowledge of professionals who understand how to interpret them.Subscribe to The Infection Control Exchange for practical discussions about infection prevention, IPAC, medical device reprocessing and patient safety.From used to safe—every step matters.