Standard 9 - Infection Prevention & Control
Standard 9 - Infection Prevention & Control
Respiratory Therapists (RTs) must apply appropriate infection prevention and control measures to protect patients/clients, healthcare team Members, and themselves according to provincial guidelines, regulatory requirements, and employer policies.
Performance Requirements
RTs:
- Adhere to established standard procedures/practices and apply additional precautions when required.
- Adhere to all current, applicable practice guidelines and policies for infection prevention and control.
- To the best of their knowledge, use equipment that has been appropriately cleaned, disinfected, and/or sterilized.
- Transport and dispose of supplies and equipment as per current infection prevention and control standards.
- Adhere to public health directives and all employer policies related to infection prevention and control.
Patient/Client Expected Outcome
Patients/clients can expect that appropriate infection prevention and control measures are taken by RTs in the delivery of their care.
Related Standards
- Documentation & Information Management
- Patient/Client Assessment & Therapeutic Procedures
- Safety & Risk Management
Related Resources
- Canadian Patient Safety Institute. (2020). The Safety Competencies. Available at https://www.healthcareexcellence.ca/media/115mbc4z/cpsi-safetycompetencies_en_digital-final-ua.pdf.
- College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario. (2023). Infection Prevention & Control. Clinical Best Practice Guideline. Available at: https://infection.crto.on.ca.
- Health Canada. (2025). Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS). Available at: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/environmental-workplace-health/occupational-health-safety/workplace-hazardous-materials-information-system.html
- Infection Prevention and Control Canada. (2025). Guidelines and Standards. Available at: https://ipac-canada.org/resource-centre/infection-control-resources/guidelines-standards/
- National Alliance of Respiratory Therapy Regulatory Bodies. (2016). National Competency Framework for the Profession of Respiratory Therapy. Part 1. National Standards for Entry-to-Practice. Available at: https://nartrb.ca/download/ncf-part-i-entry-to-practice-2016.
- National Alliance of Respiratory Therapy Regulatory Bodies. (2024). National Competency Framework. Available at: https://nartrb.ca/national-competency-profileframework.
- Nova Scotia Government. (1996). Occupational Health and Safety Act. Available at: https://nslegislature.ca/sites/default/files/legc/statutes/occupational%20health%20and%20safety.pdf
Glossary
Appropriate refers to in accordance with ethical, legal, technical and/or clinical requirements of professional practice.
Healthcare team refers to “peers, colleagues, and other healthcare professionals (regulated and non-regulated).”[1]
Patient/client refers to “individual, group, community or population who is the recipient of respiratory therapy services and, where the context requires, includes a substitute decision-maker for the recipient of respiratory therapy services.[2]
[1] College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario. (2021). A Commitment to Ethical Practice. Available at: https://ethics.crto.on.ca/
[2] College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario. (2021). A Commitment to Ethical Practice. Available at: https://ethics.crto.on.ca/