What you need to know to help Prevent Infection

1. What You Need To Know To Help Prevent Infection? Receiving chronic home health care can be very convenient and comfortable. However, it also comes with risks, like the potential for developing infections. Preventing the spread of germs is especially important for those with chronic conditions and weakened immune systems. What is Chronic Home Health Care? Chronic home health care provides medical services for those with long-lasting health issues. These can be conditions like diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, heart disease, and lung disease. Patients may need help with wound care, injections, disease management, and more. Home health care can be short-term but is considered “chronic” when a patient needs care for many months or years. This type of care helps patients avoid staying in a hospital or nursing home when possible. It allows people to get quality medical care while staying comfortably at home. Who Receives Chronic Home Health Care? Patients who qualify for home health care often have these traits: ●Older adults with complex health needs. ●Those recovering from major surgery/illness. ●People with disabilities or permanent injuries. ●Those with diseases causing gradual decline. ●Patients near the end of life who choose hospice care. Others may receive home care if they do not have a caregiver to help them manage health issues. In all cases, the goal is to help people remain at home instead of in facilities when feasible. Importance of Preventing Infections Infections are more likely to occur when outside caregivers enter the home regularly. Germs can spread through contact with contaminated hands, surfaces, bodily fluids, or medical equipment. Potential infections range from common colds and flu to more serious issues like pneumonia, urinary tract infections, or staphylococcus (staph). COVID-19 has also posed major risks recently. For a patient with a chronic disease, a new infection could lead to rapid health decline. It can mean yet another illness to manage or an avoidable hospitalization. Preventing the spread of germs is crucial.

2. Tips to Prevent Infections During Home Care Patients and caregivers can work together to lower infection risks. Here are tips to stop germs in a home care setting: Hand Hygiene ●Wash hands for 20+ seconds with soap and water frequently. ●Use alcohol-based sanitizer when soap is not available. ●Wash caregiver hands before and after patient contact. ●Remind visitors to wash hands upon arrival. Protective Equipment ●Wear non-sterile gloves for direct patient contact. ●Use gowns or aprons if clothing may get body fluid/waste on it. ●Wear masks when dealing with open wounds or respiratory viruses. Environmental Cleaning ●Sanitize frequently touched surfaces like doorknobs and counters. ●Use EPA-approved disinfectants effective against disease germs. ●Take out trash containing medical waste promptly. Respiratory Etiquette ●Cough/sneeze into a tissue or your elbow, not your hands. ●Put used tissues directly into a lined trash can. ●Wear a face mask if you have a cough or are sneezing. Injection Safety ●Limit needlestick injuries by disposing of sharp items in sealed containers. ●Never reuse needles or lancets. ●Clean injection/IV sites properly before access. Medical Equipment ●Clean and disinfect equipment between patient use. ●Check that equipment brought into the home is contamination-free. ●Properly handle used wound care supplies, catheters, etc.

3. Isolation Precautions ●Isolate sick patients recovering from an infection when possible. ●Use Contact Precautions for diseases spread by touch. ●Implement Droplet and Airborne Precautions as recommended. Patient Visitors ●Screen visitors for symptoms of infection when practical. ●Restrict visitor access if the patient is actively infectious. ●Keep visitors to a minimum when infection risk is high. What is In Home Respite Care? In-home respite care provides family caregivers with temporary relief. This service gives caregivers a much-needed break. Respite is important so caregivers can rest, keep up with personal tasks, or simply relax. A respite worker comes to the patient’s home during the caregiver’s break. The relief provider offers companionship, safety supervision, and any care the patient requires. This includes tasks like mobility assistance, bathing, feeding, grooming, dressing, and medication management. Respite workers are trained and background checked. Services can last a few hours or extend to several weeks if needed. Some health insurance plans cover in-home respite care costs fully or partially. Preventing Infection is Still Essential Stopping the spread of germs remains a top priority with respite care too. This responsibility now extends to the incoming relief workers as well. Infection precautions like good hand hygiene, surface cleaning, and using protective gear when needed are still crucial. Caregivers rely on respite help to keep caring for their loved ones. Keeping the patient infection-free makes respite better for all, ensuring a safer environment for the patient and the caregivers. Provide a Clean, Prepared Environment ●Disinfect common surfaces right before the respite worker arrives. ●Make sure trash containers are available and empty. ●Provide fresh washcloths, towels, clothing, and linens. ●Have gloves, masks, and cleaning supplies easily accessible.

4. ●Restock hand hygiene products (soap, sanitizer) if needed. ●Limit clutter to allow proper cleaning and reduce hazards. ●Clean up pet dander/messes that could irritate allergies. ●Remind the respite provider of any special infection control considerations. Conclusion Chronic home health care allows many patients to continue living comfortably at home while managing significant health issues. With proper precautions, patients can benefit from needed medical care and support without acquiring problematic infections. At Senior Shield Home Care, we care for patients and caregivers. Our respite care gives caregivers a break while keeping patients safe and healthy. We provide the best home care, ensuring everyone feels comfortable and well taken care of. FAQs Who gets chronic home health care? Older adults with complex health needs, people recovering from big surgeries or sicknesses, and those with permanent injuries or disabilities often get chronic home health care. It's for anyone who needs help managing their health at home for many months or years. How can we prevent infections at home? We can prevent infections by washing hands often, using gloves and masks when needed, cleaning surfaces regularly, and following other safety tips like coughing into tissues. These simple steps can stop germs from spreading and keep everyone in the home safer.