Long-Term Care and Other Congregate Settings
What to do in an outbreak
If you have questions about an outbreak in your facility, or you think your facility is in an outbreak situation, you must notify Huron Perth Public Health. If you get a voicemail, press “0” and ask to be redirected to someone who can assist you.
Huron Perth IPAC Hub
The IPAC (infection prevention and control) Hub was established in response to the Keeping Ontarians Safe: Preparing for Future Waves of COVID-19 initiative. The role of the IPAC Hub is to provide ongoing support, guidance and IPAC expertise to congregate living settings, including Long-Term Care Homes and retirement homes, directly.
The Huron Perth IPAC Hub is hosted by Huron Perth Public Health. Our services are available to all congregate settings in the Huron Perth area.
We Support
- Long-Term Care Homes
- Retirement Homes
- Residential settings funded by the Ministry of Health
- Residential settings for adults and children funded by Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS)
- Shelters; and
- Supportive Housing
Our Services
- Education and Training
- Communities of Practice
- Developing IPAC Programs, Policies and Procedures
- Supporting Assessments and Audits of IPAC Programs and/or Practices
- Providing Recommendations to Strengthen IPAC Programs and Practices
- Working with Public Health Partners and Congregate Living Organizations to Develop Outbreak Management Plans
- Providing Coaching/Mentoring of IPAC Service Delivery Within Settings
- Supporting Settings to Implement IPAC Recommendations
Frequently asked questions
Where can I order COVID-19 rapid tests? |
High-risk organizations are eligible to order free rapid antigen tests (RATs) through the Ontario Together portal. |
How should I dispose of COVID-19 rapid tests? |
Guidance is available on the provincial webpage, Safe handling and management of rapid antigen COVID-19 testing waste |
Where can I order respiratory swabs and enteric kits? |
Information on how to order kit and test supplies is available on the Public Health Ontario webpage, Kit and test ordering instructions |
How should I dispose of respiratory testing kits? |
Expired kits initially received from Public Health Ontario (PHO) laboratory may be returned to your local PHO laboratory at your own cost. Please ensure the container is clearly marked, Expired Kits for Disposal. You may also choose to dispose of expired kits in your own biohazard waste. For kits received from the PPE Supply Portal, connect directly with Ontario Health at sco.supplies@ontario.ca for further client support or information if needed. |
Where can I order PPE (personal protective equipment)? |
Personal protective equipment can be ordered online through the provincial PPE Supply Portal. |
Contact Us
Reach out to the Huron Perth IPAC Hub Lead
Resources
Below are guidelines, best practice documents, links and fact sheets related to infection control in healthcare settings. If you require any documents in an alternative format, please let us know!
Long-Term Care & Retirement Homes
Audit Tools: Long Term Care & Retirement Homes |
Environmental Cleaning Performance Observation Audit IPAC Checklist for Long-Term Care and Retirement Homes IPAC Self-Assessment Audit for Long-Term Care and Retirement Homes Just Clean Your Hands (see Monitoring and Observation Tools section) |
Best Practices & Guidance: Long Term Care & Retirement Homes |
Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems in Buildings and COVID-19 | Public Health Ontario Orientation for Infection Prevention and Control Leads in Long-Term Care | Public Health Ontario PIDAC: Best Practices for Hand Hygiene in All Health Care Settings, 4th edition PIDAC: Best Practices for Surveillance of Health Care-associated Infections Prevention and Management of COVID-19 in Long-Term Care and Retirement Homes | Public Health Ontario |
Gastrointestinal Outbreaks: Long Term Care & Retirement Homes |
Respiratory Outbreaks: Long Term Care & Retirement Homes |
Other Congregate Settings
Audit Tools: Other Congregate Settings |
Outbreak Preparedness, Prevention and Management in Congregate Living Settings |
Best Practices & Guidance: Other Congregate Settings |
Activities to Support Infection Prevention and Control Practices in Congregate Living Settings | Public Health Ontario Cohorting in Outbreaks in Congregate Living Settings | Public Health Ontario Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems in Buildings and COVID-19 | Public Health Ontario Infection Prevention and Control Practices for Immunization Clinics | Public Health Ontario |
Other resources
- Best Practices for Environmental Cleaning for Prevention and Control of Infections in All Health Care Settings | Public Health Ontario
- Cohorting in Respiratory Virus Outbreaks
- IPAC Policies of Huron Perth & Area Ontario Health Team
- Public Health Ontario: Routine Practices and Additional Precautions
- Public Health Ontario Testing Requisitions
- Recommended Steps for Putting On and Taking Off Personal Protective Equipment
- Southwest IPAC Hub Spring 2024 Newsletter | Southwest IPAC Hub (MLHU, HPPH and SWPH health units)
- Technical Brief: Interim IPAC measures based on Respiratory Virus Transmission risk in Health Care Settings
- Technical Brief: IPAC Recomendations for Use of PPE for Care of Individuals with Suspect or Confirmed COVID-19
- Your 4 Moments for Hand Hygiene [Signage] | Public Health Ontario