Antibiotic Resistant Microorganisms
Antibiotic Resistant Microorganisms (AROs) are pathogens resistant to the treatment that is normally used. Antibiotic resistance can happen naturally, however inappropriate or overuse of antibiotics in people, animals and plants is becoming a concern. Antibiotic resistant bacteria can spread easily among people and can be found in the community or in long-term care homes, retirement homes and congregate living settings.
AROs are generally spread from person to person by contact, usually on the hands of caregivers. It can be present on the hands either from touching surfaces or objects contaminated by the infected person. AROs survive well on hands and can survive for weeks on environmental surfaces such as door handles, bedrails, and medical equipment. Implementing infection control measures such as contact precautions, environmental cleaning and hand hygiene can reduce the risk of transmission of AROs in the facility.
Cleaning, Disinfection and Sterilization of Medical Devices of Equipment
Reusable medical equipment and instruments that are not properly reprocessed may pose risks for transmission of infections in the community and healthcare settings. Proper reprocessing procedures must be implemented to maintain quality of care and to ensure the health and safety of clients and residents.
Equipment and instruments are classified as non-critical, semi-critical and critical and they must be thoroughly cleaned, disinfected, or sterilized based on the degree of risk involved in their use. It is essential to select a disinfection and sterilization method that is appropriate and compatible with the instruments.
Reprocessing is a multi-step process that require specialized education and training. Staff responsible must be trained to a level that is needed for the volume and complexity of the instruments to be reprocessed.
IPAC Checklists
- Checklist - Lower Risk Congregate Living Settings
- Checklist – COVID-19 Preparedness and Prevention in Congregate Living Settings
- Checklist - Managing COVID-19 Outbreaks in Congregate Living Settings
- Congregate Living Organization IPAC Risk Self-Assessment Tool
Hand Hygiene
- Just Clean Your Hands (educational materials, promotional materials and audit tools)
- Wash your hands poster
- Clean your hands poster
- How to wash your hands poster
- How to clean your hands poster
Personal Protective Equipment and Point of Care Risk Assessment
- Additional Precautions Signs
- Donning and doffing PPE: Instructional Cards
- Donning and Doffing PPE: Video Resources
- Personal Protective Equipment: Audit Tools
Surveillance in Congregate Living Settings