Risks

When best practices for infection prevention and control are not followed, germs that make people sick can spread. This can lead to infections and disease outbreaks. 

Certain services pose a higher risk of exposure to germs that cause serious long-term infections than others. This includes services where tools and instruments are used that pierce the skin. Tools that pierce the skin must be sterile therefore free of germs. If they are not, they can spread germs and cause serious infections like Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C or HIV. Examples of services with greater infection risk include: 

• Ear piercing 
• Microneedling 
• Tattoos 
• Dental work 
• Medical foot care 
• Wound care 

Complaints

When CK Public Health gets a complaint about unsafe IPAC practices or hears about a possible disease outbreak linked to a place or service, we start an investigation. This investigation is led by our public health nurses and inspectors. 

If we find that proper IPAC practices were not followed, we work with staff and service providers to fix the problems. If need, we can take legal action. If an IPAC lapse is found, CK Public Health must post a report about it on our website for two years.