The pandemic of coronavirus COVID-19 has raised the importance of prevention and control practices. The pandemic had a devastating impact on the lives of millions of people worldwide. In August, about 1.45 million cases were reported in Canada and 26,702 of them died. Moreover, worldwide, 208 million cases were reported of which 4.37 million died because of the virus. All this devastation is due to this newly discovered coronavirus.
Furthermore, this pandemic has cost disruption in the social and economic circles of our societies. 1.65 billion people are at risk of unemployment and poverty. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) director, there will be 690 million people who remain undernourished due to this pandemic. Above all this virus poses a significant risk for our healthcare environments in future. Therefore lays enormous stress on the importance of infection prevention and control programs.
Infection Prevention and Control Certification Introduction
The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines the infection prevention and control Certification program as a most critical and practical approach. That can prevent health workers & patients from getting infected. The infection prevention program includes several antimicrobial resistance practices.
The Importance of Infection Prevention and Control Certification Program
The infection, prevention and control Certification program is of great importance to decrease the spread of infection. This can decrease the burden of health care staff by reducing the spread of infection. Therefore it is essential to practice infection prevention programs. Likewise at work, at home, and, most importantly, in extensive healthcare facilities. The infection control and healthcare professionals deliver a high quality of care. They are can mitigate the risk. They also manage the potential spread of diseases and infections. These professionals ensure the maintenance of a good healthcare environment. The healthcare professionals must complete infection prevention courses prescribed by IPAC Canada. It is based on essential principles for infection prevention.
IPAC Certification Canada
In Canada, the Infection Prevention and Control Department is a non-profit professional association. It started in 1976. There are public representatives and a board of infection prevention professionals who governed IPAC Canada. Moreover, they provide proper education for those engaged professionally and occupationally in the infection prevention activities of IPAC. Their mission is the prevention of infection and how to control them.
How to Stop Spread of Infections?
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Usage
Those areas where the infection is already spreading and causing transmission of diseases. Firstly it is important to be equipped with personal protective equipment (PPE). Secondly, they are equally essential for healthcare workers and most importantly for healthy people. Thirdly the usage of PPE, enables the frontline workers and doctors to avoid maximum exposure to infections and other hazards. The equipment included in personal protective gear are gloves, eye protection, respirators, medical masks, protective hearing devices and full-body suits, et cetera.
Hygiene
The best defence against infection control and prevention is hygiene. In other words, it is necessary to practice hygiene. That includes sanitizers and antimicrobial soaps. Above all to wash our hands at least for 20 seconds. Consequently, the practice of hand hygiene is most important: before eating, after sneezing, coughing. Most importantly before and after meeting patients, leaving or entering hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
Cleaning of Equipment
The regular cleaning of equipment can prevent maximum transmission of infections in hospitals and medical facilities. It is essential to steam-sterilize the import instruments. That is to avoid vegetative bacteria, fungi, enveloped viruses, non-enveloped viruses, micro bacteria, protozoa, and spores. The most used method in Canada is steam sterilization, ethylene oxide, vaporized hydrogen peroxide, hydrogen peroxide gas plasma, hydrogen peroxide gas, and liquid parasitic acid, et cetera.
Training Program and Education
The spread of the deadliest pandemic suggests; that prevention exercises have become essential. At our home, at the office, and most importantly, at hospitals, clinics, and health care facilities. Healthcare workers need to have proper education on infection prevention practices and applications. Bay River College is offering an Infection Prevention program. IPAC Canada fully endorses the program. The program includes 16 weeks of online training enabling frontline healthcare workers to practice infection prevention around them.
