INTRODUCTION

The College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario (CRTO), through its administration of the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) and the Respiratory Therapy Act (RTA), is dedicated to ensuring that respiratory care services provided to the public by its Members are delivered in a safe and ethical manner.

As regulated health professionals, Respiratory Therapists (RTs) are accountable for providing safe, competent, and ethical care to the public in accordance with the standards of the profession. This document has been developed to assist RTs in learning how to achieve quality infection prevention and control practices. The SARS epidemic in 2003, the H1N1 Pandemic in 2009, and the MERS and Ebola 2014/2015 outbreaks, 2019 Covid pandemic as well as the likelihood of another pandemic influenza – suggest it is vital for RTs to remain informed and up to date on current infection prevention and control best practices.

In addition to the public and the CRTO, RTs are accountable to their employer. Employers may have additional policies and procedures related to infection prevention and control. If an employer’s policies and procedures are more restrictive than the CRTO’s description of the standard of practice, Members should abide by their employer’s policies and procedures. Where the employer’s policies and procedures are more permissive than the standard of practice described by the CRTO, Members should adhere to the standard of practice described by the CRTO.

CRTO publications contain practice parameters and standards which should be considered by all Ontario Respiratory Therapists in the care of their patients/clients and in the practice of the profession. CRTO publications are developed in consultation with professional practice leaders and describe current professional expectations. It is important to note that these CRTO publications may be used by the CRTO or other bodies in determining whether appropriate standards of practice and professional responsibilities have been maintained.