Infection Prevention and Control

This course will provide an understanding of health care infection (HAI) surveillance systems, how to use surveillance data and auditing to measure the effectiveness of IPAC practice, as well as a thorough understanding of how to manage outbreaks both as part of the Outbreak Management Teams in healthcare settings and as a public health professional supporting that team.

• Hours: 56
• Credits: 4
• Pre-Requisites:
• CoRequisites:
• Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs; ​No cost.

This course provides an in-depth review of infection prevention and control principles across a range of healthcare and non-healthcare environments, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, retirement homes, congregate settings (e.g., group homes), childcare centres, and personal service settings. Students will explore how facility design and building system operations influence the transmission of infectious diseases, and will examine the unique risks posed by Construction, renovation, maintenance and design (CRMD)activities in these settings. Through the analysis of current standards, guidelines, regulations, and real-world outbreak case studies, students will gain practical skills in identifying risks and applying strategies to strengthen safety and reduce infection control hazards across diverse environments.

• Hours: 56
• Credits: 4
• Pre-Requisites:
• CoRequisites:
• Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs: Not available at this time.

This course will explore practical and effective methods of health communication, education and promotion in different communities using differenct teaching approaches, technolgies in a variety of contexts and facilitating knowledge mobilization through collaborating with stakeholders. Students will learn how to design, evaluate and implement interventions while advocating and promoting the inclusion of health and infection prevention and control education within various clinical and allied programs

• Hours: 56
• Credits: 4
• Pre-Requisites:
• CoRequisites:
• Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs; ​No cost.

This course will examine the legislation, guidelines, standards and best practices that determines IPAC practice and health policy. It will use case studies to demonstrate the roles and authority of various agencies and the collaboration that is required to address issues. An example is the investigation of IPAC lapses: how to determine sterilization failures, risk of transmission of bloodborne and other pathogens, and the processes involved in client lookbacks, device recalls and active surveillance. It will review workplace policies related to confidentiality, privacy of information, conflict of interests, ethics, health and safety, professionalism and principles of diversity, equity and inclusion in healthcare.

• Hours: 42
• Credits: 3
• Pre-Requisites:
• CoRequisites:
• Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs: Not available at this time.

In this capstone project, students will apply the principles and practices learned in this certificate to an infection prevention and control problem or project. Students will be required to identify the issue, research the topic, provide evidence-based implementation solutions, and deliver an oral presentation. The capstone will encourage critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovative solutions to complex health issues. This course prepares the student to work with an organization or facility to implement IPAC interventions.

• Hours: 70
• Credits: 5
• Pre-Requisites:
• CoRequisites:
• Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs: Not available at this time.