In response to the challenges of COVID-19, influenza, and other respiratory infections, the Government of Ontario launched the Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Hub initiative. This was a collaborative, province-wide effort to support stronger infection prevention practices across the province’s healthcare system. At Humber River Health (Humber), we are proud to play a leading role in this initiative through our own IPAC Hub, which has become an essential part of how we help protect the health and safety of the Northwestern Toronto community.

What Is the IPAC Hub?
Our IPAC Hub brings together a wide range of healthcare sectors to provide guidance, education, and hands-on support for infection prevention and control. From proactive prevention strategies to coordinated response efforts, we work directly with community partners to reduce the spread of infectious diseases across our region.

We support a wide variety of settings, including:

• Long-term care homes
• Retirement homes
• Residential settings funded by the Ministry of Health (MOH)
• Congregate living settings funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS)
• Shelters
• Supportive housing environments

Our Impact
Our IPAC Hub team has been working diligently across the community to strengthen infection prevention practices:

• 1,500 onsite visits
• 1,700 virtual consultations
• 2,000 staff members trained and re-trained
• 95 organizations supported
• 180 Communities of Practice established

These numbers reflect the commitment of our IPAC Hub to build capacity, share knowledge, and improve infection prevention and control measures in every setting we serve.

Collaborating for Better Health
In collaboration with long-term care homes, hospitals, and community care providers, our IPAC Hub tailors its services based on local needs and emerging priorities. This ensures we’re not only meeting standards, but exceeding them, through strong partnerships and evidence-based practices.

Focused Programs to Prevent Illness
In addition to general IPAC support, we deliver targeted programming to reduce the spread of specific illnesses. Our Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) and Antimicrobial Resistant Organism (ARO) programs are key components of our strategy, helping to protect vulnerable populations and minimize preventable infections across communal settings.

At Humber, our IPAC Hub is not just about responding to outbreaks, but about building a stronger, safer healthcare system through prevention, education, and collaboration. Together, we are lighting new ways in healthcare.