1. Infection Control

2. Standard Precaution Guidelines
Good Hand Hygiene- consistent & appropriate
Use the right PPE for the job
Gloves
Face/Eye Protection
Gowns/Protective Apparel
3. Clean & disinfect the environment; use of PPE during cleaning
4. Know and use transmission based precautions
5. Bloodborne pathogens concerns (HIV, HBV, HVC)
Handling body substances & sharps with care to avoid exposure to bloodborne pathogens
Annual review of safety devices to mitigate risk
Use respiratory hygiene & cough etiquette to minimize the spread of germs

3. Hand Hygiene
Who- Anyone who may come in contact with blood or body fluids
What- Alcohol based gel or hand-washing with antimicrobial soap
When- Always before/after patient contact, wear gloves when performing invasive procedures, or before making contact with patient skin (if in precautions) and before contact with non-intact skin or contaminated inanimate objects/surfaces
Where- Anywhere there is risk of coming into contact with blood or body fluids
Why- Because good hand hygiene practices are the single most effective means of preventing the spread of infection

4. Hand Washing & Alcohol Gel
Hand Washing Use tepid water, wet hands and apply antimicrobial soap Use good friction cleaning front and back of hand, paying attention to nails and between fingers for seconds Pat hands dry with paper towels and turn off faucet with a paper towel Always use hand washing when hands are visibly soiled
Using Alcohol Gel/Foam Apply appropriate amount of foam/gel into palm of hand Rub hands together using good friction to all surfaces, paying attention to nails and in between fingers Rub hands together until product is evaporated and hands are completely dry CDC recommends that after 4 uses of the gel/foam, that hand washing be done

5. Personal Protective Equipment
It is important to use the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for the job to be done
Wear PPE when contact with bloodborne pathogens (BBP) is anticipated
When removing PPE, avoid exposure by removing most contaminated PPE to least contaminated PPE
Dispose of PPE properly and always wash hands after removing PPE
Protect clothing, skin, and especially mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and mouth from BBP

6. Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure
OSHA requires hospitals to have a BBP plan to mitigate the risk associated with BBPs; of particular concern are HIV, HBV, & HCV
Considerations in BBP Plan include:
Routine disinfection and cleaning
Proper body substance & sharps handling
Safe injection practices
Respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette
Proper management of occupation exposures

7. Routine Environmental Disinfection & Cleaning
Routine disinfection and cleaning of environmental surfaces with hospital approved sanitizers is critical in preventing spread of contaminants and pathogens
Staff who do environmental cleaning should wear the appropriate PPE during cleaning

8. Body Substance & Sharps Handling
Dispose of contaminated items into appropriate containers, avoiding contact with clothing and environmental surfaces Consider all needles and catheters and sharps and dispose of them into red biohazard containers; empty container when the content reaches the “fill” line marked on the container

9. Safe Injection Practices
Never re-use or re-cap needles
Clean ports/vial with alcohol before using
Treat all needles and catheters as sharps and dispose of properly

10. Respiratory Hygiene & Cough Etiquette
In waiting areas, signage should be posted requesting patient to inform caregivers of respiratory S/S
It is recommended that asymptomatic visitors not stay in the same area and that symptomatic patients be at least 3 feet from patients without respiratory symptoms
Patients with symptoms should be provided a mask, tissues, and alcohol hand gel and be asked to use clean hands, cover mouth when coughing and dispose of tissues properly
Healthcare workers should use mask and use hand gel before and after caring for respiratory patients

11. Contact Transmission Person to person touch Direct or Indirect contact
Transmitted by inanimate objects
Needles
Unwashed Hands
Gloves that were not changed

12. Contact Precautions
Examples: MRSA, VRE, HSV, Impetigo, Scabies, & C-Diff
Use on patients known or suspected to be “infected” or colonized
Place in a private room or cohort cases of “same” organism
Dedicate patient care equipment
Precautions on transport
Hand Washing

13. Droplet Transmission Droplets carry infectious organism
Through coughing, sneezing, talking, suctioning, singing
Can involve direct and indirect contact

14. Droplet Precautions Examples: Flu, Meningitis, Pneumonia
Use on patients known or suspected to have infections caused by microorganism transmitted in “droplets”
Droplets can be propelled 3 feet
Dedicate patient care equipment
Precautions on transport
Special ventilation is not required
Place in a private room or cohort infections of the same organism

15. Airborne Transmission
Tiny particles evaporated in the air or on dust particles
Can stay suspended in air for long periods of time
Can be inhaled by susceptible host and cause infection

16. Airborne Precautions Examples: TB, Chickenpox, Measles, SARS
Requires placement in a negative pressure room
Must wear an N-95 mask, gown, and gloves per OSHA
User must do “fit check” of mask before entering the room
S/S of TB can appear months or years after initial exposure