Infection Prevention and Control - CAN/HSO 4001:2026 (E)
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Refer to Annex A for additional equity-based principles integrated throughout all HSO standards.
About This Standard
CAN/HSO 4001:2026 (E) Infection Prevention and Control is a new National Standard of Canada incorporating and superseding content from HSO 4001:2018 (E) Infection Prevention and Control, HSO 22002:2018 (E) Infection Prevention and Control for Aboriginal Substance Misuse Services, and HSO 34011:2018 (E) Infection Prevention and Control for Community-Based Organizations.
The standard was developed using published evidence and input from diverse interest holders, including people with lived experience. Gender-responsiveness informed inclusive Technical Committee recruitment, public consultation, evidence synthesis, and integration of equity, diversity, and cultural safety principles (see Annex A) throughout the development of the standard.
The published evidence used to inform this standard can be found in the bibliography.
This standard is intended to be used as part of a conformity assessment. This standard will undergo periodic maintenance. HSO will review and publish this standard on a schedule not to exceed five years from the date of publication.
Scope
Purpose
This standard provides guidance to support infection prevention and control (IP&C) across all settings where health care is provided through a robust IP&C program including routine practices, additional precautions, surveillance, outbreaks, and pandemic preparedness. It promotes consistent, evidence informed practices to reduce the risk of infection transmission; protect the health and safety of clients, care partners, workforce, and communities; and plan, implement, and evaluate the impact of the IP&C program.
This standard specifies the accountabilities of the organizational leaders, interprofessional IP&C committee, clinical team, and team in developing and maintaining IP&C programs. It provides direction on IP&C measures, including routine practices such as hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, environmental cleaning, handling of linen and sharps, management of blood, body fluids, and biohazardous materials, and occupational health and safety. It also includes guidance on immunization policy development, antimicrobial stewardship, surveillance systems, the identification and management of notifiable diseases, clusters, and outbreaks, as well as pandemic preparedness planning.
This standard does not prescribe specific operational models, clinical practice guidelines, or staffing ratios. Rather it seeks to embed people-centred care principles into IP&C practices and promote the translation of evidence into action by encouraging continuous learning opportunities for team members. The standard upholds a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and cultural safety; coordinated care and integrated services, and a quality improvement and outcomes-focused culture.
Applicability
This standard applies to all health and social services organizations with a role in infection prevention and control.
The defined population for this standard is all ages.
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