Infection Control 101

Infection Control

Nosocomial vs. HAIs Standard Precautions “Protective environment” to prevent

HAIs PPE (latex precautions) Biohazard Waste Transmission-based Isolation

Precautions

Nosocomial vs. Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs)

Nosocomial - Infections acquired 72 hours after admission to a hospital

HAIs infections associated with healthcare delivery in any setting

Standard precautions

Infection control process that apply to all patients, regardless of suspected or confirmed infection status

Based on the principle that all blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions excluding sweat, non-intact skin and mucous membranes may contain transmissible infectious agents

Standard precautions

Hand hygiene PPE depending on the anticipated

exposures 4 Additional Areas of Practice

Standard precautions Four “added” areas of practice:

Respiratory Hygiene/Cough Etiquette Safe Injection Practices (re-emphasized) Use of masks for insertion of catheters or

injections into the spinal or epidural spaces Use of a set of prevention measures termed

Protective Environment, to prevent HAIs (e.g., measures to decrease fungi in the environment; spatial distance >3 ft)

PPE – Personal Protective Equipment

Gloves clean vs. sterile Masks Gowns Booties Hairnets and surgical caps Goggles

Biohazard Waste Defined

Materials and substances found in laboratory and hospital waste which may contain disease-causing agents, such as tissue specimens, cultures, culture dishes and slides, body fluids, blood or blood products, sharps, and needles.

Any solid or liquid waste which may present a threat of infection to humans. It may include specimen containers, blood soaked bandages or dressings, and bloody gloves.

Red Bag Waste DisposalRed Bag Waste Disposal

•Absorbant materials saturated with blood or bloody fluids, such as bandages, gauzes, sponges, lap sponges;

•Non-absorbant disposable devices contaminated with blood or blood-contaminated body fluids, such as filled suction container liners, transfusion bags , IV tubing, drainage tubes;

•Blood, blood products, excretions, secretions, tissue and body parts contaminated with blood.

Sharps Container WasteSharps Container Waste

•Sharps•Needles•Scalpels •Blades•Glass or plastic slides

•Culture tubes, dishes•Disposable Razors,•Disposable Scissors,•Broken glass ampules

Red Bag and Sharps ContainersSharps containers must be leak-proof, rigid, puncture-resistant, and not easily opened once sealed. They must be labeled BIOHAZARD with International Symbol. Must also be labeled with Facility address and phone number. (When Container 3/4 full, place DATE on container and replace).

The Red “Infectious Waste” Bag must be plastic, impervious to moisture, strong enough to resist ripping, tearing or bursting. Bags must be securely tied when placed in storage. Must be labeled BIOHAZARD with International Symbol.Must also be labeled with Facility address and phone number.

•The healthcare professional generating the waste is responsiblefor its safe and proper disposal, and segregation at point of origin

•Biohazard waste mixed with chemical waste must be handled and disposed of as hazardous waste; waste contaminated by chemotherapy waste, must be handled and disposed of as chemotherapy waste. Waste contaminated with radioactive material must be handled and disposed of as radioactive waste.

•Biohazard Waste storage closets shall be visibly marked and inaccessible to the public.

Point of Origin

Protect Yourself...Protect Yourself...

•Keep bags AWAY from your body when carrying•Wear latex, vinyl or rubber gloves UNDER heavy duty reusable work gloves•Practice good hand hygiene: Wash with soap and water and/or use Alcare regularly and before break, eating, smoking, drinking, going home.•Wear a face shield or goggles when tossing bags into biohazard bin and outdoor dumpster•Cover bin in transit•Wear a disposable apron if chance of contamination of clothing•Report any “stick” or splash to Employee Health Nurse ASAP•Ask about getting a Hepatitis B Vaccine

When handling, transporting and disposing of Biohazard Red Bag or Sharps Containers Waste:

Transmission-based ISOLATION

• Contact

• Droplet

• Airborne

•Protective

CONTACT PRECAUTIONS

Gloves and gowns are required for ALL direct and indirect contact

Strict Handwashing technique Handwashing + Alcohol Hand Rinse Additional PPE as indicated Visitors MUST wash hands BEFORE

leaving.

DROPLET PRECAUTIONS

Private room – door closed Regular masks when within 3 feet of

patient With infective material will need:

Gloves Gowns

DROPLET PRECAUTIONS HANDWASHING

After touching Patient After touching Potentially contaminated items Before taking care of another patient

Contaminated items Discard Bag and Label before being sent for

decontamination and reprocessing .

AIRBORNE PRECAUTIONS Private room – Negative Pressure Required

(AIIR = Airborne Infection Isolation Room) HEPA Masks required at ALL times Contact with infective items/material require

Gowns Gloves

Handwashing After touching patient After handling potentially contaminated items Before caring for another patient

AIRBORNE PRECAUTIONS Pts. wear mask when leaving the room Contaminated Items

Discard Bag and Label before

decontamination/reprocessing

Protective Isolation

Used with immune compromised/susceptible patients

Private room – full PPE Pts. wear mask when leaving the

room

Let’s Practice