520 likes | 761 Views
Infection Control in the School Setting. It’s In Your Hands. What is an Infection?. A condition resulting from the presence of, and invasion by, germs (microorganisms). For Infection to Occur an Organism Must:. enter the body grow and multiply cause a response. Routes of Transmission.
E N D
Infection Control in the School Setting It’s In Your Hands
What is an Infection? A condition resulting from the presence of, and invasion by, germs (microorganisms)
For Infection to Occur an Organism Must: • enter the body • grow and multiply • cause a response
Routes of Transmission • Contact: 1. direct 2. indirect 3. droplet (3 feet)
Routes of Transmission • Vehicle • Airborne • Vector
Handwashing(Hand Hygiene) • The most important measure you can use to prevent the spread of infection.
Hand Hygiene When hands are visibly soiled with blood or other body fluids: Wash hands with either a non-antimicrobial soap and water ….. OR An antimicrobial soap and water
Hand Hygiene If hands are not visibly soiled: Use an alcohol-based hand rub for routinely decontaminating hands.
Handwashing Procedure • Wet hands. • Apply soap. • Rub hands together producing friction. • Wash between fingers, tops of hands, and around jewelry. • Wash for at least 15 seconds. • Rinse hands well. • Dry hands with a paper towel then use the towel to turn off faucet.
Handwashing ….. The #1 way to prevent the spread of germs.
Bloodborne Pathogens • Bloodborne pathogens are bacteria or viruses that are present in human blood and body fluids and can be transmitted to other humans. • The most common bloodborne pathogens are: • Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) • Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) • Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)
Bloodborne Pathogen Transmission • Sexually • From mother-to-newborn at birth • Sharing of needles or other sharps • Accidental needlestick/cut/bite (infected person to non-infected person) • Blood transfusions (in the past)
HIV • The virus which causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) • HIV attacks the body’s immune system, weakening it so that it cannot fight other deadly diseases.
HIV • The virus is very fragile and will not live very long outside of the human body. • There is no cure for AIDS although there are various anti-viral medications to prolong life. • AIDS is a fatal disease.
Hepatitis B Virus(HBV) • Hepatitis means “inflammation of the liver”. • Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver. • In the U.S., approximately 300,000 people are infected annually.
HBV • Is a very durable virus and can survive outside of the body for at least 7 days. • It is very important to clean up any blood or body fluid spills. (Can use a 1:10 bleach solution – which is 1 part household bleach to 9 parts water.)
Hepatitis B Vaccine • To prevent hepatitis B. • A 3-dose vaccine series given at 0, 1, 6 months intervals. • 96% of people who take the vaccine will develop antibody (protection) against the hepatitis B virus.
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV):“The Silent Epidemic” • Another cause of viral hepatitis. • It is usually slow-spreading and silent, but lasts a long time. • It is one of the major causes of cirrhosis in the U.S. • It is a major cause of liver cancer worldwide.
HCV Disease • Approximately 8-12,000 people die annually from hepatitis C-related disease. • There is no vaccine for HCV. • Anti-viral medications are available for treatment for some HCV-infected persons.
MRSA • First recognized in 1961- one year after the antibiotic Methicillin was introduced for treating S. Aureaus infections. • Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureaus- a type of bacteria not killed by common antibiotics including penicillin and cephalosporins (i.e. Amoxil and Keflex)
MRSA • Colonization-the microorganism is living in or on the body without causing disease or harm • Infection- the body is invaded by a microorganism, the organism multiplies and causes injury or illness
MRSA • Most infections caused by S. Aureus are skin and soft tissue infections • MRSA is being seen in increasing numbers among healthy persons of all ages • This is referred to as Community Acquired MRSA
Signs and Symptoms Fever Local Swelling, redness, heat Painful lesion or pimple with or without drainage Boil- tender red lump with a white “head”
MRSA • S. Aureus is most often spread to others by contaminated hands • Touching skin, wounds, sharing towels, athletic equipment and other personal items
MRSA • Prevention • Handwashing • Good personal hygiene • Regularly clean commonly touched surfaces, such as door knobs, bathrooms, nap mats, etc., with any EPA approved disinfectant. • Cheapest and very good disinfectant is household bleach and water in a 1:9 solution (1 Tbsp. bleach to 1 quart of water mixed fresh daily).
MRSA • Prevention (continued) • Clean toys and classroom items at least daily and anytime they become soiled • Wash any cuts, scrapes, lesions, insect bites and sores with soap and water • Keep lesions clean and dry and cover them with bandages until they are healed. If drainage cannot be contained by a dressing, student should be excluded from class until healed or drainage decreases.
MRSA • Use a barrier between skin and shared equipment e.g. exercise machines and massage tables • If you change a dressing WEAR GLOVES, dispose of dressing in a ziplock baggie and discard. Wash hands after removing gloves. • HANDWASHING IS YOUR BEST DEFENSE AGAINST INFECTIONS
Standard Precautions Consider the blood and body fluids of everyone to be potentially infectious.
Donot: • Share razors, toothbrushes, eating utensils and drinking containers with other people. • Share needles or other sharps with others.
Do: • Be careful when providing first aid or dressing the wounds of others. • Always keep sores or open wounds covered with band aid or dressing.
Do: • Always immediately clean up any spills of blood or body fluids (wear gloves). • Always carefully clean household when someone is ill in the home.
Tuberculosis (TB) • A disease transmitted from person-to-person through the air when an infected person repeatedly comes in contact with an uninfected person. • TB usually affects the lungs, but may attack almost any part of the body.
Tuberculosis Symptoms • General Symptoms: • Weight loss • Weakness • Fever and/or Night Sweats • TB of the Lung: • Cough • Chest pain • Coughing up blood
TB Infection: Germs in body, but not sick and no symptoms. Skin test is usually positive. Most people (90%) do not develop disease. TB Disease: Person is sick, has symptoms, and can spread disease to others. Treatment is needed in order to get well. TB Infection vs. TB Disease
Respiratory Hygiene • Cover the nose/mouth when coughing or sneezing; • Use tissues to contain respiratory secretions & dispose of them in the nearest waste receptacle after use; • Perform hand hygiene after having contact with respiratory secretions & contaminated objects/materials.
Antibiotic Use • Antibiotics are for treatment of bacteria – not viruses. • Always take the antibiotic exactly as prescribed. • Do not save antibiotics for “next time”. • Do not share antibiotics with others.
Employee Health • Practice good personal hygiene. • Be sure you are up-to-date on all of your immunizations. • Seriously consider taking the influenza vaccine annually. • Do not come to work when you are sick. • Practice good handwashing!