This page includes tools and resources to equip those working and volunteering in long-term care (LTC) with the skills and knowledge they need to protect themselves, their colleagues, residents, family members, and community members.
The Ontario CLRI at the RIA has developed infection and prevention control (IPAC) eLearning courses for team members and essential care partners. These courses combine education on IPAC core concepts with application to LTC-specific situations and tasks.
If you have a resource to suggest for this page, please contact us at info@clri-ltc.ca.
Featured IPAC Resources
Break the Chain of Transmission: IPAC Core Concepts and Practices
~30 minutes | This eLearning Course reviews the IPAC core concepts and practices that are essential for preventing and controlling infection. It is the prerequisite for the scenario-based courses in the IPAC series. The course is for LTC team members and essential caregivers.
IPAC While Travelling to and From an LTC Home
~15 minutes | This eLearning course will apply the skills and knowledge from Break the Chain of Transmission to typical situations that can happen while travelling to and from an LTC home. The course is for LTC team members and essential caregivers.
IPAC While Supporting Residents at Mealtime
~20 minutes | This eLearning course will apply the skills and knowledge from Break the Chain of Transmission to scenarios about supporting a resident at mealtime in an LTC home. The course is for LTC team members and essential caregivers.
IPAC While Administering Medication
~20 minutes | This eLearning course will apply the skills and knowledge from Break the Chain of Transmission to scenarios about administering medication, including oral medication, CPAP treatment, and eye drops. The course is for LTC team members.
IPAC While Supporting Residents with Personal Care: Peri-Care, Continence Care and Using the Toilet
~20 minutes | In this eLearning course, learners will learn how to break the chain of transmission of infectious agents while supporting residents with personal care. The focus of this course is supporting residents with peri-care, continence care and using the toilet. The course is for LTC team members and essential caregivers.
IPAC While Supporting Residents with Personal Care: Bathing, Dressing, and Grooming
~20 minutes | In this eLearning course, learners will learn how to break the chain of transmission of infectious agents while supporting residents with personal care. The focus of this course is supporting residents with bathing, dressing, and grooming. The course is for LTC team members and essential caregivers.
More eLearning coming soon!
Additional IPAC Resources
IPAC+ Resource Library
This library of resources supports LTC and retirement homes in implementing IPAC practices. Resources are categorized by topic, including Consumable Supplies, Environmental Cleaning, Auditing, and Surveillance and Outbreak Management. Developed by St. Michael’s Hospital and Unity Health Toronto.
IPAC of Caregivers and Families – eLearning Course
Free IPAC eLearning course for families and caregivers. It shows the practices for preventing and controlling infection in the home and in LTC homes. The course is self-paced and comes with a certificate. Developed by McMaster University Continuing Education, with the Ontario Caregiver Organization and Healthcare Excellence Canada.
Public Health Ontario – LTC Guidelines
A quick reference for LTC homes with recommendations for IPAC best practices that are specific to long-term care.
Public Health Ontario – IPAC Training and Videos
eLearning courses and videos that explain key IPAC practices and core concepts.
- Chain of Transmission and Risk Assessment (eLearning Course)
- Infection Prevention and Control – online learning (course catalogue)
- Putting on Full Personal Protective Equipment (video)
- Taking off Full Personal Protective Equipment (video)
- How to Hand Wash (video)
- How to Hand Rub (video)
- Ask Yourself: Is the glam worth the grime? Hand hygiene for health care professionals (video)
Workplace Resources
Resources from the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development to protect workers, including a series of posters that promote COVID safety when taking a break, having lunch, and travelling to and from work.
LTC Regulations and Guidance
Guidance from the Ministry of Long-Term Care to LTC homes about the implementation of IPAC programs:
List of Ministry of LTC directives and communications related to COVID-19, (maintained and updated by AdvantAge Ontario):
Occupational Health & Safety Resources
IPAC tools and education from an occupational health and safety perspective with a focus on protecting workers in all sectors, including health care. These resources are created by the Public Services Health and Safety Association.
Canadian Immunization Guide
The Canadian Immunization Guide includes up-to-date guidance on vaccinations for specific populations. Published and maintained by the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Vaccine Resources for LTC
An important IPAC practice is vaccination of LTC home teams, essential care partners, and residents. Use the links below to find resources to help plan vaccine rollouts and encourage vaccine acceptance:
Acknowledgements
The IPAC in LTC courses and training materials have been developed in collaboration with an expert panel of IPAC specialists working in LTC, as well as an advisory panel of LTC team members, essential care partners, and The Ontario Caregiver Organization.