Practice Recommendations for Infection Prevention and Control Related to Foot Care in Healthcare Settings

Abstract

BACKGROUND Foot care devices have been linked to healthcare-associated infections and outbreaks [1-7]. The goal is to provide infection prevention and control (IPAC) practice recommendations for foot care. This will include cleaning, disinfection and sterilization processes, and management of the environment, as well as client and healthcare provider safety. Stakeholders Healthcare providers performing foot care in any healthcare setting, which includes, but is not limited to, care provided in private homes, clinics, and healthcare settings. This practice document is written for healthcare providers who provide foot care or reprocess critical foot care devices, and is not intended to address foot care practice performed by the client or the client's family. Companion documents: IPAC Canada Position Statement on Reprocessing of Critical Foot Care Devices (2019) and the IPAC Canada Audit Tool for Foot Care. PRACTICE STATEMENT • The IPAC Canada Position Statement: Reprocessing of Critical Foot Care Devices shall be followed. Clients expect and require safe care regardless of where foot care is performed. Therefore, each client interaction requires a sterile set of critical foot care equipment/ devices [8-10].  Reusable foot care equipment/devices are considered critical devices [8-14].  All healthcare providers are responsible for ensuring that the client is not placed at risk of infection when reusing any foot care equipment/devices during the provision of care.