Infection Control Exchange

In this episode of Infection Control Exchange, Wayne Tucker explores what’s working — and what still needs improvement — in infection prevention and control across healthcare environments. Drawing from experience and data, he discusses real-world challenges, system gaps, and examples of successful practices that are making a measurable difference in patient and staff safety.

🎧 Host: Wayne Tucker, MSc, EMBA, LTC-CIP, CIC

💡 Theme: Leadership, infection control, quality, and lessons learned from the field

National Infection Control Week (NICW)

To celebrate NICW (Oct 20–24, 2025), I share simple ways teams can engage—daily micro-activities, friendly contests, and quick wins that keep hand hygiene and donning/doffing PPE awareness top-of-mind while protecting residents, patients, and colleagues. It is an opportunity this week to draw attention to the critical role of infection control in reducing the transmission of infectious diseases within facilities like hospitals, long-term care homes, etc. We all play a daily role in infection control, which protects vulnerable residents and patients.

Keywords: infection control, infection prevention, IPAC, patient safety, outbreak management, hand hygiene, healthcare leadership, Halifax, public health

Welcome to the debut episode of The Infection Control Exchange, a podcast dedicated to advancing infection prevention, control, and healthcare quality improvement.

In this first episode, host Wayne Tucker, BA, MSc (Psych), EMBA, MSc (IPAC), CIC, LTC-CIP shares his journey through infection prevention and control — from his early experiences to his leadership roles across acute care, public health, primary care and long-term care environments. Wayne reflects on lessons learned, professional milestones, and the evolving standards that continue to shape infection prevention practice across Canada and beyond.

The discussion also highlights the ongoing importance of vaccines — both COVID-19 and influenza — in healthcare and community protection. Wayne explores vaccine uptake, challenges in public perception, and how infection control professionals can support evidence-based dialogue with staff, residents, patients, and families.Listeners will also get a preview of upcoming episodes covering:

• Outbreak preparedness and the essential role of front-line teams during respiratory virus season.
• Measuring outbreak control and transmission indicators as markers of success.
• Wayne’s master’s dissertation findings on infection control auditing — including hand hygiene and PPE compliance during outbreak versus non-outbreak periods (2023–2024).
• Common deficiencies identified through auditing, and how organizations can translate findings into better education, training, and prevention practices.

Whether you’re an infection control professional, healthcare leader, or someone passionate about quality and safety, The Infection Control Exchange aims to connect practice with purpose. Expect authentic conversations, evidence-informed discussions, and practical insights that strengthen the collective work of infection prevention professionals.

🎧 Host: Wayne Tucker, BA, MSc (Psych), EMBA, MSc (IPAC), CIC, LTC-CIP

🎙️ Episode: 1 – Introduction and Vaccines

📍 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

💡 The Infection Control Exchange — Conversations that advance infection prevention, leadership, and healthcare quality.