IPAC and Leadership: The Infection Control Exchange

IPAC and Leadership | The Infection Control Exchange (Season 2)In this episode, I am addressing a gap that increases infection prevention and control (IPAC) risk in every healthcare setting: leadership not consistently following the same IPAC practices expected of frontline staff.I have repeatedly seen situations where leaders reported to work while symptomatic — a decision that increases risk to patients/residents, staff, and overall organizational resilience. This episode is not about blame — it’s about accountability, culture, and closing preventable gaps that contribute to infectious disease transmission.In this episode, I cover:Why leadership behavior sets the real “standard” for IPAC cultureThe risk impact of coming to work symptomatic (and the message it sends)Psychological safety and why staff stop speaking up when leaders don’t model complianceHow inconsistent adherence becomes a system-level risk (not a “people problem”)Practical ways leaders can strengthen IPAC culture immediatelyWhat “IPAC leadership” should look like during routine operations and outbreak pressureIf we want safer care environments for vulnerable residents/patients, IPAC can’t be optional for anyone — especially leadership.Host: Wayne Tucker, MSc (Infection Control), CIC, LTC-CIPPodcast: The Infection Control Exchange