Your EnvironmentInfection Prevention & Control (IPAC)

What is Infection Prevention & Control?

Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) refers to best practices to prevent the spread of germs that can cause diseases and infections. This includes proper cleaning and disinfection of re-usable tools, surfaces, and equipment.

CK Public Health investigates all complaints of improper IPAC practices.

Report an Infection Prevention Complaint

Infection Prevention & Control Lapses

An IPAC lapse occurs when best practices for preventing the spread of germs have not been followed and there is a risk of infectious disease spread to clients, attendees or staff. CK Public Health investigates all complaints of improper IPAC practices, including those related to:

Medical services provided by regulated health professionals
Licensed childcare centres and unlicensed home-based childcare
Schools
Recreational facilities, such as sports clubs
Temporary housing, such as shelters or housing for seasonal workers
Personal Services Settings

When best practices for infection prevention and control are not followed, germs that make people sick can spread. This can lead to infections and disease outbreaks.

Certain services pose a higher risk of exposure to germs that cause serious long-term infections than others. This includes services where tools and instruments are used that pierce the skin. Tools that pierce the skin must be sterile therefore free of germs. If they are not, they can spread germs and cause serious infections like Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C or HIV. Examples of services with greater infection risk include:

Ear piercing
Microneedling
Tattoos
Dental work
Medical foot care
Wound care

When CK Public Health receives a complaint about improper IPAC practices or learns that a disease outbreak may be linked to a particular place or service, our team of public health nurses and public health inspectors complete an investigation.

If CK Public Health finds that IPAC best practices have not been followed, we work with staff and service providers to make sure that proper practices are put in place. Enforcement action may be taken if needed. When the investigation shows that an IPAC lapse has occurred CK Public Health is required to post a report of this lapse on its website for two years.

IPAC Lapse Reports

CK Public Health regularly inspects salons and spas and licensed childcare centres. You can review the establishment’s inspection report on Check it CK.

Name of Establishment	Address	Type of Establishment	Investigation Date	IPAC Lapse Summary	Full Report
Tattoos by Cienna	211 Park Street Chatham ON N7M 3S1	Personal Service Setting – Tattoo shop	October 19, 2023	Please see full report	IPAC LAPSE NOV 2-2023

Disclaimer:

This website contains reports on premises where an infection prevention and control lapse was identified through the assessment of a complaint or referral, or through communicable disease surveillance. It does not include reports of premises which were investigated following a complaint or referral where no infection prevention and control lapse was ultimately identified.

These reports are not exhaustive, and do not guarantee that those premises listed and not listed are free of infection prevention and control lapses. Identification of lapses is based on assessment and investigation of a premises at a point-in-time, and these assessments and investigations are triggered when potential infection prevention and control lapses are brought to the attention of the local Medical Officer of Health.

Reports are posted on a premises-by-premises basis (i.e. will correspond with one site only). Should you wish to view a full investigation report for any posted lapse, please contact CK Public Health.

Inspections & Enforcements

Your EnvironmentInfection Prevention & Control (IPAC)

What is Infection Prevention & Control?

Infection Prevention & Control Lapses

IPAC Lapse Reports

Inspections & Enforcements

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