The Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Core Competencies course will give health care providers from across Ontario essential information on how to protect themselves, their patients and their co-workers from infection. Three components of the first module, Routine Practices, are now available. Additional components and a second module will be released in the near future. Materials are based on the Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee’s best practices documents.
“Conestoga College’s simulation laboratories provided an excellent, high quality setting for the development of our infection prevention and control online training program,” said Dr. Vivek Goel, President & CEO of Public Health Ontario. “We are pleased to be collaborating with academic partners like Conestoga on innovative ways to train current and future health care workers. Improving awareness and knowledge of good infection prevention and control practices reduces the incidence and risk of infections and helps to keep Ontarians healthy and safe.”
The Cowan Health Sciences Centre, opened in Fall 2011, is a 70,000 square foot applied learning and research facility for health and life sciences located on Conestoga's Doon campus. Designed to promote high-impact, technology-enhanced learning in an interprofessional culture, the facility features four high fidelity simulation suites that simulate complex clinical care scenarios, including medical and surgical care, intensive care for paediatrics and obstetrical care. The Centre also includes a fully furnished apartment and Assisted Living Suite, all designed to help future health care professionals develop their skills in realistic settings.
Since its opening, the Centre has been used by a number of external clinical partners for ongoing staff development and training.
“We were tremendously pleased to support Public Health Ontario in the development of this important new resource for infection prevention and control education,” said Marlene Raasok, Executive Dean of Conestoga’s School of Health & Life Sciences and Community Services. “Providing access to effective learning tools such as the IPAC Core Competencies course will support health care facilities and workers in their efforts to create safe environments for themselves and their patients.”
Conestoga provides degree, diploma and certificate programs for students seeking health care careers, as well as part-time programs for active professionals seeking additional skills or training. For more information, visit www.conestogac.on.ca
To learn more about the IPAC Core Competencies Learning Course, visit: www.publichealthontario.ca/ipaccore
For media questions, contact Brenda Cassidy, Corporate Communications Manager, 519-748-5220 ext 3336 or bcassidy@conestogac.on.ca