IPAC - Infection Control #1: Questions With Easy-
to-Follow Solutions
What are the 8 core components of IPAC and why are they in place?
Correct Answer - Following 8 IPAC components are in place to
reduce HAI and AMRs such that HAIs specifically are the most
common adverse events and mostly preventable
1. infection prevention and control programs -- program with
dedicated team
2. national and facility level IPAC guidelines - evidence based with
training for HCWs and monitoring for adherence
3. IPAC education and training - for all HCWs by using team and task
based strategies that are participatory and include bedside
simulation training
4. HAI surveillance - to guide IPAC interventions and detect
outbreaks, including AMR surveillance with timely feedback to
HCWs
5. Multimodal strategies for implementing IPAC activities - several
components implemented in an integrated way in order to improve
an outcome and change behaviour
- system change
- education and training
- monitoring infrastructure and supplies
- reminders in workplace
- culture change with establishment
,6. Monitoring of IPAC practices and feedback, and control activities -
regular monitoring according to IPAC standards with timely
feedback
7. Workload, staffing and bed occupancy at facility - bed occupancy
shouldn't exceed standard capacity of facility, staffing to patient
workload ratio should be adequate
8. Built environment, material and equipment for IPAC at facility
level - patient care activities should be in a clean environment,
resources to perform proper hand hygiene should be readily
available at point of care
What are the 6 links in the chain of transmission? How is each
broken? Correct Answer - 1. Infectious Agent - viruses,
bacteria, fungi
- antibiotics, disinfection, sterilization
2. Reservoirs - people, water, food
- control of environment, environmental cleaning and disinfection,
proper food storage, water treatment
3. Portals of Exit - blood, secretions, excretions, skin
- hand hygiene, disposal of contaminated linen/waste, control of
ex/secretions
4. Modes of Transmission - contact, droplet, airborne
- spatial separation, control of environment, environment sanitation,
equipment disinfection/sterilization, PPE, hand hygiene
5. Portals of Entry - mucous membranes (eyes/nose/mouth),
respiratory tract, GI tract, broken skin
- hand hygiene, aseptic technique, wound care, catheter care, PPE
, 6. Susceptible Hosts - immunosuppression, age, burns, surgery
- immunization, nutrition, recognition of high risk patients,
treatment
What is risk assessment? Correct Answer - Evaluation of the
interaction between HCWs and the patient/environment to analyze
risk of exposure to infectious diseases -- 2 types
1. Organizational
- done by employer to assess need for engineering controls,
administrative controls, and PPE
2. Personal
- thought process done by HCWs
- performed before caring for patient or working in their
environment
- ask questions about own abilities to perform tasks
What types of questions should you ask yourself when doing a
personal risk assessment? Correct Answer - 1. Ask about task
- Do I have the equipment I need?
- Will I be touching blood?
- Will I be exposed to patients cough/spray/sneeze?
2. Ask about physical and cognitive status of patient
- Will they be able to follow and understand my instructions?
- Are they resistant?
- Do they have a rash?
3. Ask about controls of environment and administrative controls in
place for your protection
- Are there facilities to perform hand hygiene?
- Are there procedures/policies for me to follow?
- Do I need special equipment?
to-Follow Solutions
What are the 8 core components of IPAC and why are they in place?
Correct Answer - Following 8 IPAC components are in place to
reduce HAI and AMRs such that HAIs specifically are the most
common adverse events and mostly preventable
1. infection prevention and control programs -- program with
dedicated team
2. national and facility level IPAC guidelines - evidence based with
training for HCWs and monitoring for adherence
3. IPAC education and training - for all HCWs by using team and task
based strategies that are participatory and include bedside
simulation training
4. HAI surveillance - to guide IPAC interventions and detect
outbreaks, including AMR surveillance with timely feedback to
HCWs
5. Multimodal strategies for implementing IPAC activities - several
components implemented in an integrated way in order to improve
an outcome and change behaviour
- system change
- education and training
- monitoring infrastructure and supplies
- reminders in workplace
- culture change with establishment
,6. Monitoring of IPAC practices and feedback, and control activities -
regular monitoring according to IPAC standards with timely
feedback
7. Workload, staffing and bed occupancy at facility - bed occupancy
shouldn't exceed standard capacity of facility, staffing to patient
workload ratio should be adequate
8. Built environment, material and equipment for IPAC at facility
level - patient care activities should be in a clean environment,
resources to perform proper hand hygiene should be readily
available at point of care
What are the 6 links in the chain of transmission? How is each
broken? Correct Answer - 1. Infectious Agent - viruses,
bacteria, fungi
- antibiotics, disinfection, sterilization
2. Reservoirs - people, water, food
- control of environment, environmental cleaning and disinfection,
proper food storage, water treatment
3. Portals of Exit - blood, secretions, excretions, skin
- hand hygiene, disposal of contaminated linen/waste, control of
ex/secretions
4. Modes of Transmission - contact, droplet, airborne
- spatial separation, control of environment, environment sanitation,
equipment disinfection/sterilization, PPE, hand hygiene
5. Portals of Entry - mucous membranes (eyes/nose/mouth),
respiratory tract, GI tract, broken skin
- hand hygiene, aseptic technique, wound care, catheter care, PPE
, 6. Susceptible Hosts - immunosuppression, age, burns, surgery
- immunization, nutrition, recognition of high risk patients,
treatment
What is risk assessment? Correct Answer - Evaluation of the
interaction between HCWs and the patient/environment to analyze
risk of exposure to infectious diseases -- 2 types
1. Organizational
- done by employer to assess need for engineering controls,
administrative controls, and PPE
2. Personal
- thought process done by HCWs
- performed before caring for patient or working in their
environment
- ask questions about own abilities to perform tasks
What types of questions should you ask yourself when doing a
personal risk assessment? Correct Answer - 1. Ask about task
- Do I have the equipment I need?
- Will I be touching blood?
- Will I be exposed to patients cough/spray/sneeze?
2. Ask about physical and cognitive status of patient
- Will they be able to follow and understand my instructions?
- Are they resistant?
- Do they have a rash?
3. Ask about controls of environment and administrative controls in
place for your protection
- Are there facilities to perform hand hygiene?
- Are there procedures/policies for me to follow?
- Do I need special equipment?
