In 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 Ecosystem

This 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.

Infection 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 shift

• How small lapses become large outcomes

• Practical, high-impact behaviors that reduce transmission

• Leadership accountability and systems that support IPAC

IPAC and Leadership | The Infection Control Exchange (Season 2)

In this episode, I am addressing a gap that increases infection prevention and control (IPAC) risk in every healthcare setting: leadership not consistently following the same IPAC practices expected of frontline staff.

I have repeatedly seen situations where leaders reported to work while symptomatic — a decision that increases risk to patients/residents, staff, and overall organizational resilience.

This episode is not about blame — it’s about accountability, culture, and closing preventable gaps that contribute to infectious disease transmission.

In this episode, I cover:

• Why leadership behavior sets the real “standard” for IPAC culture

• The risk impact of coming to work symptomatic (and the message it sends)

• Psychological safety and why staff stop speaking up when leaders don’t model compliance

• How inconsistent adherence becomes a system-level risk (not a “people problem”)

• Practical ways leaders can strengthen IPAC culture immediately

• What “IPAC leadership” should look like during routine operations and outbreak pressure

If we want safer care environments for vulnerable residents/patients, IPAC can’t be optional for anyone — especially leadership.

Host: Wayne Tucker, MSc (Infection Control), CIC, LTC-CIP
Podcast: The Infection Control Exchange