Managing Persistent Practice Gaps and Accountability for IPAC Leaders

Respond effectively when IPAC concerns continue after reminders and education. Learn to identify the type of gap, document objectively, monitor improvement, and involve managers appropriately.

Included in the IPAC Lead Leadership Program for Long-Term Care.

Course Description

Repeated practice concerns can reflect different problems: a knowledge gap, an operational barrier, an isolated error, or a persistent performance issue. An effective response starts with understanding that distinction and selecting a fair, proportionate next step.

This course provides a structured approach to recurring IPAC practice gaps, from observation and coaching to monitoring, documentation, and escalation. You will learn how to record observable behaviours, demonstrate patterns over time, and work with managers while maintaining professional relationships. The course clarifies the IPAC Lead’s contribution to accountability and the responsibilities that remain with supervisors, managers, and organizational leadership.


Prerequisites / required prior knowledge

Current and emerging IPAC Leads and designated backups with program responsibilities in long-term care.

Recommended prior knowledge: No formal prerequisite is required. Familiarity with long-term care operations, Routine Practices, Additional Precautions, surveillance, outbreaks, audits, and program documentation is recommended. This course develops leadership skills and does not replace foundational IPAC education.


Delivery

Online
Self‑paced(Asynchronous)

Credit

2 IPU
2.0 continuing education hour (Self‑Instruction)

Certificate

Individual certificate of completion

Access

On demand for one year from program enrolment
Meet the instructor

Kamyab Ghatan

MD, AL-CIP™, CIC®, LTC-CIP®, DISIPC, CDICP
Dr. Kamyab Ghatan is a medical doctor and infection prevention leader who develops practical, standards-based training for diverse environments, including acute and long-term care, ambulatory and dental clinics, veterinary practices, and construction/renovation settings. His work spans infection prevention, surveillance, water management, sterile processing, and implementation science, with a focus on translating standards into workflows teams can actually use. Dr. Ghatan is the founder of the International College of Infection Control Professionals (ICICP).

Learning objectives:

By the end of this course, learners will be able to:

  • Distinguish isolated errors, knowledge deficits, system barriers, and persistent performance gaps to guide the leadership response.

  • Apply a structured process for monitoring, documenting, following up, and escalating recurring IPAC concerns.

  • Determine when education is appropriate and when further accountability measures or leadership involvement are needed.

  • Develop objective, behaviour-based documentation that supports fair and defensible decisions.

  • Clarify the responsibilities of the IPAC Lead, supervisors, managers, and leadership in accountability and escalation.

Completion requirements:

To earn your individual course certificate:
  • View all required course content.
  • Pass the course posttest with a score of 80% or higher.
  • Complete the course evaluation.
After meeting these requirements, download your certificate of completion for Visible IPAC Leadership and the First 90 Days. Your certificate will identify this course and its 2 IPUs and 2 continuing education hours.
Provider: International College of Infection Control Professionals (ICICP)
Learner Support: support@icicp.com

Course curriculum

1. When Education Is No Longer Enough

Recognize patterns and distinguish knowledge deficits, performance issues, and persistent non-adherence.

2. Managing Persistent Practice Gaps

Move from observation to action through consistent feedback, monitoring, follow-up, and appropriate escalation, including immediate responses to high-risk concerns.

3. Documentation That Supports Accountability

Record observable behaviours, avoid subjective labels, and document actions and improvement over time.

4. Partnering with Managers: The IPAC Lead’s Role in Performance Accountability

Share objective evidence, respect role boundaries, and maintain collaboration before and after a concern is escalated.

  Apply the learning

Work through an observation-to-escalation pathway, behaviour-based documentation examples, monitoring approaches, and manager partnership scenarios. Apply a consistent response while considering risk and the reasons behind the gap.

Frequently asked questions

How do I access this course?

Access is included through enrolment in the IPAC Lead Leadership Program for Long-Term Care. Sign in to your learner account to open the course.

Do I need to finish the whole program before receiving this certificate?

No. You receive this course’s certificate after meeting its own completion requirements. Full-program completion has separate requirements.

Can I complete the courses in any order?

Yes. Each course can be completed independently. Courses 1 through 8 provide a recommended sequence that builds from visible leadership to annual planning.

How long will I have access?

Course access follows your program access period of one year from program enrolment.

Refund & cancellation policy: Non-Vocational Refund & Cancellation Policy

Disclosures and content independence

The instructor and planners report no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies related to this educational activity. This activity received no commercial support. Educational content is non-promotional and independent of commercial influence; any trade names are used for identification only.