PHAC Routine Practices: How Canadian Clinics Apply the Guidelines

Ask ten clinic managers what infection control standard they follow and you will get ten answers: provincial guidance, college rules, manufacturer instructions. Behind them sits the document that anchors Canadian practice — the Public Health Agency of Canada's (PHAC) routine practices and additional precautions for healthcare settings.

Routine practices are the baseline infection control measures that apply to every patient, every visit, regardless of diagnosis. They are not hospital-only: a two-chair dental clinic, a walk-in practice and an LTC home all operate under the same framework, adjusted for setting and risk.

The complete framework is published in PHAC's routine practices and additional precautions document.

What Routine Practices Actually Say

PHAC's routine practices organize infection control around core measures: risk assessment for each patient encounter, hand hygiene, appropriate PPE, environmental cleaning and disinfection, and safe handling of sharps and waste. The measures are tiered — higher anticipated exposure means more protection layers.

For a clinic, the translation is daily habit: hand hygiene before and after patient contact, gloves for body fluid tasks, masks and eye protection where splashing is possible, clean surfaces between patients.

Risk Assessment Comes First

The distinctive idea is that the clinician assesses risk at every encounter rather than following a fixed PPE menu. A blood pressure check and a wound irrigation present different exposure profiles. The assessment covers the task, patient condition, setting and likelihood of body fluid contact.

That is why clinics stock PPE in tiers: exam gloves for most encounters, heavier gloves and gowns for splash risk, respirators where airborne precautions are indicated. The supply room should mirror those tiers.

Hand Hygiene and Gloves

PHAC guidance is clear that gloves do not replace hand hygiene. Hands are cleaned before donning and after doffing; gloves change between patients and between tasks moving from contaminated to clean sites. Single-use gloves are exactly that — single use.

For clinics, the operational detail is placement. Nitrile examination gloves at every point of care, hand sanitizer at door and workstation, and sinks stocked with soap make the routine automatic.

PPE Selection Under Routine Practices

The right PPE depends on the risk assessment, but the baseline inventory for a Canadian clinic is fairly consistent:

• Nitrile examination gloves — most patient contact
• Procedure masks — droplet risk and source control
• Isolation gowns — splash and contact risk
• Eye protection — procedures with splash potential
• Disinfectant wipes — environmental cleaning between patients

When a clinic chooses products that meet recognized standards — ASTM-rated masks, medical-grade gloves — it makes the routine practices framework easier to implement because staff are not weighing product quality at the moment of care.

Cleaning Between Patients

Routine practices require environmental surfaces to be cleaned and disinfected between patients, with frequency adjusted to contamination risk. High-touch surfaces — exam tables, doorknobs, light switches, counters — need attention all day, not just at closing.

Disinfectant selection matters: the product must suit the surface and be used at the label's contact time. disinfectant wipes and surface cleaners at the point of use make between-patient cleaning a quick step.

Building the Routine Into Clinic Operations

Guidelines only change outcomes when they change daily behaviour. Three habits close the gap:

• Post a one-page routine practices summary in every treatment room.
• Review hand hygiene and glove use at each staff orientation, and refresh annually.
• Audit the supply room monthly — empty glove boxes and expired wipes are routine practice failures waiting to happen.

CliniEco Medical supports Canadian clinics with a compliant consumable supply chain (MDEL #35334), from ASTM Level 3 masks to examination gloves and disinfectant wipes. When the products that the routine requires are always in stock, the routine survives real-world pressure.

Related Reading

Explore more guides in this category:

• PHAC vs CDC: Infection Control Guidance Compared
• PHAC vs Provincial LTC Directives: PPE Rules During Outbreaks
• Biohazard Bags for Pharmacies: Segregation and Disposal Rules

Related reading: explore our infection control resources for clinics.

decode HAI, SSI, CJD and MDRO acronyms in our infection control pillar article.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do PHAC routine practices apply to small clinics?

Yes. Routine practices are the baseline for all healthcare settings in Canada, from hospitals to two-chair dental practices. Provincial regulators and professional colleges implement the framework through their own standards, so the specifics can vary, but the core measures are the same.

What is the difference between routine practices and additional precautions?

Routine practices apply to every patient encounter. Additional precautions — contact, droplet or airborne — are layered on when a patient is known or suspected to have a transmissible infection that requires extra measures.

Does PHAC require a specific glove or mask brand?

No. PHAC guidance specifies the protective function, not brands. Clinics choose products that meet recognized standards, such as ASTM-rated masks and medical-grade examination gloves, and that suit their risk assessment and workflow.

How often should clinics review their infection control routine?

At least annually, and whenever the clinic changes services, adds equipment or experiences an infection control concern. Orientation for new staff and refresher training for existing staff are the two moments when the routine is most likely to be updated or reinforced.

Last updated: September 2, 2026. CliniEco Medical is a licensed medical device establishment (MDEL #35334).