Podcast
Infection Control Exchange
Hosted by Wayne Tucker · EN
Infection Control Exchange is a podcast dedicated to advancing infection prevention and healthcare quality improvement. Hosted by Wayne Tucker, BA, MSc (Psych), MSc (IPAC), EMBA, CIC, LTC-CIP, each episode explores real-world infection-control practices, outbreak preparedness, and lessons from healthcare and long-term-care environments. Join the conversation and strengthen your infection prevention impact.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
IPAC Canada 2026 Conference Preview Special | Emerging Conversations in IPAC
4w ago00:12:39Tap to summarizeThis special preview episode of the Infection Control Exchange Podcast highlights some of the important conversations that will be recorded live during the upcoming IPAC Canada 2026 National Conference in Toronto, Ontario.Topics already booked for the conference podcast series include:• IPAC and the Butterfly Model• Education, Training, and Certification Pathways in IPAC• Emerging Fungal Pathogens and Antifungal Resistance• IPAC Risk Assessment in Long-Term Care• Virulent Scabies in Healthcare Settings• Infection Prevention in Correctional Health• IPAC in Dental Healthcare• Healthcare Construction and Renovation Risk ManagementThis episode provides a brief overview of the range of topics, emerging challenges, and healthcare environments that will be explored during the conference conversations.The Infection Control Exchange Podcast will be recording onsite throughout the conference and a limited number of podcast recording opportunities are still available for attendees interested in participating.Thank you for listening to the Infection Control Exchange Podcast.
Transcribe →Hand Hygiene: The Simplest Practice We Still Get Wrong
May 600:26:58Tap to summarizeHand Hygiene: The Simplest Practice We Still Get Wrong🧼 World Hand Hygiene Day Special EpisodeWe all know hand hygiene is important—but what if compliance drops at the exact moment it matters most… during outbreaks?In this episode of the Infection Control Exchange, we explore why hand hygiene failures are often not a knowledge problem, but a behaviour, systems, and culture problem.Topics include:Why compliance declines under pressureThe gap between audits and real-world practiceThe limitations of traditional hand hygiene monitoringThe impact outbreaks have on performancePractical strategies to improve accountability and cultureEffective hand hygiene can reduce healthcare-associated infections by up to 50%, making it one of the most important infection prevention measures we have.This episode also features a brief sponsor segment with HealthConnex discussing how digital tools can support audit tracking, outbreak management, and infection prevention analytics.🎙️ Infection Control Exchange — where we take infection prevention from policy to practice.🌐 https://www.infectioncontrolexchange.comTo request a demo, please use the following link: 🔗 https://www.healthconnex.ai/infectioncontrolexchange
Transcribe →Outbreak Management in Healthcare
Apr 2900:31:50Tap to summarizeOutbreak Management in HealthcareOutbreaks don’t fail because we don’t know what to do — they can fail when systems can’t keep up in real time.In this episode of the Infection Control Exchange, we explore how outbreaks actually unfold across healthcare settings and why traditional approaches to tracking and managing cases often break down under pressure.Drawing on experience across public health, acute care, and long-term care, this episode focuses on the operational realities of outbreak response — and what’s needed to improve visibility, coordination, and speed when it matters most.How outbreaks escalate across units and teamsThe limitations of manual tracking systemsWhy real-time visibility is criticalWhat better outbreak management can look likeHealthConnex supports healthcare teams with:Outbreak trackingAudit and compliance toolsImmunization data managementIn this episode: Sponsored by HealthConnex
Transcribe →The Critical Role of Stakeholders in IPAC Programs
Apr 800:31:13Tap to summarizeInfection prevention and control is often viewed as the responsibility of IPAC teams—but in reality, successful IPAC programs depend on alignment among key internal and external stakeholders across the entire healthcare system.In this episode of The Infection Control Exchange Podcast, we explore the critical role of both internal and external stakeholders in shaping IPAC outcomes.From frontline staff and physicians to leadership, environmental services, facilities teams, and public health partners—each group plays a vital role in reducing risk and supporting safe care environments.We also examine common breakdowns in stakeholder engagement and how healthcare leaders can strengthen relationships, improve communication, and build shared accountability across the system.This episode is designed for healthcare leaders, infection prevention professionals, and anyone involved in delivering safe, high-quality care.
Transcribe →Outbreak Line Listing: Why the Details Matter in IPAC
Mar 2600:32:04Tap to summarizeOutbreak Line Listing: Why the Details Matter in Infection Prevention and ControlIn this episode of The Infection Control Exchange Podcast, we take a deep dive into one of the most important—and often underappreciated—tools in outbreak management: the line list.Using an outbreak scenario, this episode walks through the structure of a line list and explains how each data element contributes to effective outbreak control.Topics covered include:• Case identification and unit tracking• Symptom documentation and baseline considerations• The importance of symptom onset timelines• Intervention tracking, including vaccination and antiviral• Identifying complications and severity indicators• Interpreting laboratory test results• Common mistakes that impact outbreak responseLine lists are more than documentation—they are the foundation for surveillance, decision-making, and communication during outbreaks.This episode is particularly relevant for IPAC professionals, acute care teams, long-term care teams, and public health practitioners.
Transcribe →Why Healthcare Workers Should Never Work While Sick
Mar 1800:14:40Tap to summarizeWhy Healthcare Workers Should Never Work While SickIn this episode of The Infection Control Exchange Podcast, Wayne Tucker explores an important but often overlooked infection prevention risk in healthcare settings: staff working while sick.While healthcare workers are deeply committed to their patients/residents and colleagues, reporting to work with symptoms can unintentionally increase the risk of respiratory viruses and other infectious diseases transmission within healthcare settings, and could lead to an outbreak.In this 15-minute episode, Wayne discusses:Why presenteeism remains common in healthcare organizationsThe infection prevention risks associated with symptomatic staffHow workplace culture and staffing pressures can influence decision-makingThe critical role of leadership in reinforcing safe practicesWhy protecting patients, residents, and colleagues must always be the priorityThis episode highlights how everyday decisions made by healthcare workers play a key role in preventing the spread of infections within healthcare settings.
Transcribe →Why Infection Prevention Requires Strong Leadership
Mar 1500:14:54Tap to summarizeIn this Infection Control Exchange – Quick Insight episode, Wayne Tucker discusses the critical role leadership plays in the success of infection prevention and control programs.While IPAC is often associated with technical practices such as PPE, hand hygiene, and environmental cleaning, the effectiveness of these measures is strongly influenced by organizational leadership.In this episode, Wayne explores:Why infection prevention should be viewed as a systems issue rather than simply a policy issueHow leadership behaviour influences staff behaviour and compliance with infection prevention practicesThe importance of ensuring adequate resources and organizational support for infection prevention programsHow strong leadership contributes to building a culture of patient safetyEffective infection prevention programs depend not only on guidelines and protocols, but also on leadership that actively supports and prioritizes patient safety.
Transcribe →When Infection Control Becomes Theatre
Mar 501:00:02Tap to summarizeWhen Infection Control Becomes TheatreInfection prevention and control measures are designed to reduce risk and protect patients, residents, and healthcare workers. But during times of crisis—particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic—some practices emerged that raised an important question:Were they truly reducing infection risk, or were they primarily providing reassurance?In this episode of the Infection Control Exchange Podcast, Wayne Tucker explores the concept of “IPAC theatre.” These are highly visible practices that appear protective but may not always deliver meaningful infection control benefits.Topics discussed in this episode include:• The concept of infection control theatre• Why visible actions can sometimes replace evidence-based interventions• Temperature screening for staff and visitors during the pandemic• The difference between risk reduction and perceived safety• How public expectations, leadership decisions, and politics can influence infection control measures• The importance of continually evaluating whether interventions are effective, proportional, and evidence-informedInfection prevention and control are about reducing risk, not performing safety measures. This episode explores how IPAC professionals can maintain scientific integrity while navigating public expectations and organizational pressures.
Transcribe →Meet the Host: 24 Years of Healthcare Leadership & IPAC Experience
Feb 1900:57:53Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Infection Control Exchange Podcast, Wayne Tucker steps behind the mic to share the story behind the platform.This episode explores:• The professional journey that led to the creation of the podcast• 24+ years of healthcare leadership experience across public health, long-term care, acute care, and primary care• Advanced education, including an MSc in Infection Control and an Executive MBA• Dual infection prevention certifications (CIC and LTC-CIP)• Experience leading outbreaks, construction IPAC initiatives, and system improvement projects• Why infection prevention gaps continue to exist in healthcare• The vision for The Infection Control Exchange podcast and the broader EcosystemThis episode is for healthcare leaders, infection prevention professionals, consultants, and organizations seeking innovative, system-level thinking in infection control and patient safety.The Infection Control Exchange Podcast is committed to strengthening infection prevention practice through leadership, innovation, and collaboration.
Transcribe →Infection Control Saves Lives: The Mindset Shift That Changes Every Shift
Feb 1201:00:14Tap to summarizeInfection Control Saves Lives isn’t just a statement—it’s a practical truth that plays out every day in healthcare.In this episode of The Infection Control Exchange, Wayne Tucker explores a mindset shift that can change practice under pressure: moving from seeing IPAC as “compliance” to seeing it as life-saving care.You’ll hear how everyday actions—hand hygiene, correct PPE use, environmental cleaning, and source control—interrupt transmission pathways and prevent infections that can lead to serious complications, hospitalizations, and death—especially in vulnerable patients and residents.This episode also highlights the role of leadership in safety culture: when leaders model IPAC practices and remove barriers (time, supplies, workflow), safer behavior becomes possible and sustainable.Key topics:The “life-saving lens” for every shiftHow small lapses become large outcomesPractical, high-impact behaviors that reduce transmissionLeadership accountability and systems that support IPAC
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