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 culture

• The 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 compliance

• How inconsistent adherence becomes a system-level risk (not a “people problem”)

• Practical ways leaders can strengthen IPAC culture immediately

• What “IPAC leadership” should look like during routine operations and outbreak pressure

If 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-CIP
Podcast: The Infection Control Exchange