b'IPACPreventing infection, promoting excellenceThe role of IPAC and CSA Z8004:22 in LTC redevelopment projects By Jamie CookL ong-term care homes are atransmission of infectious diseasesterm care home, renovating an existing place where seniors should feelamong residents, patients, health carelong-term care facility, or taking on safe, carefree and comfortable.workers and visitors. It minimizes thea construction project of any kind. Whether youre managing day-to- risk of acquiring infections throughDepending on the size and age of your day maintenance or taking on apractices like proper hand hygiene, thehome, you may need to consider a redevelopment project, the safety,use of personal protective equipmentrenovation or redevelopment project dignity and quality of life of your(PPE), and following standard andto achieve CSA compliance. Heating, residents is paramount, particularlytransmission-based precautions.cooling and air ventilation (HVAC), when it comes to infection preventionlighting, carpeted floors, and other IPAC best practices should help youbuilding materials and systems in and control (IPAC) practices.enhance quality of care and provideolder long-term care homes may IPAC practices are foundational toyou with a strategy to significantlycontribute to the spread of infections providing a safe and resilient carelower the risk of infectious diseaseor contaminants. When upgrading environment. In relation to managingoutbreaks, respiratory infections,your space, it can be helpful to have long-term care home redevelopmentstructural damage caused by microbialan expertbe it a member of your projects, risks run high. Every actiongrowth or contamination and more.team, a project manager or an IPAC- or inactionhas the potential tocertified external consultanthelp you impact residents health, the well-beingWhen followed correctly, IPACidentify IPAC risks, mitigation strategies, of your staff and families trust. protocols should have little to nomaterials, and equipment to deliver impact on your residents regardlessyour project safely. The COVID-19 pandemic brought newof whether youre taking on a challenges to long-term care, placingredevelopment project or a renovation.Although this standard applies to many homes under a microscope.IPAC measures are intended tolong-term care homes, you and your In response, the Canadian Standardsenhance the way you, your staff andstaff are not solely responsible for Association (CSA Group) published ayour project team disinfect, managedeveloping and upholding protocols. new national standard, CSA Z8004:22,contaminants and, most importantly,When you initiate a redevelopment which aims to create safer, moreprotect the health and well-being ofproject, an Infection Control Risk resilient long-term care homes acrosseveryone in your home. Assessment (ICRA) should be Canada. This standard marks a pivotaldeveloped and included in the tender step forward for infection controlHow does CSA Z8004:22 impactdocuments for general contracting practices. It also provides actionableLTC homes?services. When engaged in any guidance for creating an environmentCSAs new standard for long-termconstruction project, the contractor is that minimizes infection risk, whilecare homes was developed withgenerally responsible for developing enhancing care quality, duringinput from residents, family members,a hoarding plan that would then redevelopment projects. caregivers and clinical staff. While thebe reviewed and approved by the Infection Control Practitioner prior What is IPAC and why is standard isnt mandatory, it could beto starting any work. Following this it important?incorporated into legislation in process transfers the IPAC risk to the IPAC is a set of evidence-basedthe future.contractor delivering the project. practices and procedures used inIt is best practice to include IPACSomething as simple as replacing a health care settings to prevent themeasures when designing a new long- window in a residents room involves 48 LONG TERM CARE TODAY Fall/Winter 2025'