Infection Control 2004

1. Infection Control 2004 Christine M. Wilson, RN Staff Education Arcadia Campus

2. Infection Control 2004 Objectives • HIV, Hepatitis B or C, Tuberculosis • Infectious waste • Equipment cleaning • Masks • Respiratory etiquette • Hand washing campaign

3. HIV • Damages immune system • Transmitted through direct contact with infected body fluids • Not transmitted through mosquito bites or casual contact • Flu-like symptoms; no symptoms for years • Best protection: Standard Precautions

4. Hepatitis B or C • Inflammation of the liver • Jaundice, fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain • HBV: 30% have no symptoms • HCV: 80% have no symptoms • Transmitted through direct contact with infected body fluids; not casual contact • Best protection: Hepatitis B vaccine and Standard Precautions

5. Tuberculosis • Increase incidence in recent decades • Caused by bacteria which form small round nodules in tissues (lungs, joints, kidneys) • Cough, fever, fatigue, night sweats, weight loss, pain with breathing, joint pain • Transmitted by airborne droplets • Best protection: Respiratory etiquette and wearing Masks

6. Occupational Exposure Prevention • Standard Precautions: Use appropriate personal protection equipment • Dispose of used needles properly • Use medical devices with safety features • Prompt reporting of significant exposures • Hepatitis B vaccination

7. Regulated Infectious Waste • Items that are drippable, flakable, pourable, or squeezable with blood or other potentially infectious materials are considered infectious waste and regulated • OSHA: • Waste shall be properly contained and disposed of, so as not to become a source of transmission of disease to employees • FSH Cost to dispose of “red bag” waste: 25 cents vs. 2 cents

8. Equipment Cleaning • Item labeled “single use”—can not be reused; must be disposed of after use • “Clean” patient care equipment and supplies must be stored physically separate from “soiled” equipment. Label areas as “clean” or “contaminated” • Transport soiled/contaminated instruments or equipment in closed containers • Items soiled with blood or body fluids should be cleaned ASAP

9. Masks • Surgical masks: • Standard precaution used when likelihood of exposure to minimal or moderate amount of blood or body fluids • Droplet precaution used when organisms are transmitted through droplets three feet from the patient • Respiratory etiquette used when patients or staff need to contain droplets when coughing

10. More Masks • N95 masks: • Airborne precautions used when organisms are transmitted through the air (i.e. TB) • Shields: • Standard precautions used when potential for large exposure to blood or body fluids under pressure

11. Universal Respiratory EtiquetteCDC Recommendations: FSH • Patient education: posters in waiting rooms • Provide surgical masks to patients with respiratory illness: available at reception desks • Provide tissues for patients: available waiting rooms • Encourage hand hygiene: provide alcohol gel in waiting areas • Place patients with respiratory symptoms in private exam rooms as soon as possible

12. Healthcare Worker EtiquetteArcadia Campus • Cover cough with tissues • Perform hand hygiene frequently with alcohol gel • Wear surgical mask if coughing frequently • Stay home, if warranted

13. Hand Hygiene in Health CareCDC Guidelines • Alcohol based products • Reduce bacteria more effectively than soap • Are more accessible than sinks • Require less time to use effectively • Cause less skin irritation and dryness than soaps

14. When to use Alcohol-based Hand-rub products • Hands are NOT visibly soiled with blood or body fluids: • Before and after patient contact • After touching equipment or furniture near the patient • After contact with a source of microorganisms • When water is not available • After removing gloves

15. When to use Soap and Water • Hands are visibly dirty or contaminated with blood or body fluids • When you feel a “build-up” of hand-rub emmolients • After using the restroom • Before eating • If exposure to Bacillus anthracis suspected or proven

16. Questions for Review • A blood borne pathogen is: • A. HIV • B. Hepatitis B • C. Hepatitis C • D. All of the above • Ways to prevent occupational exposures include: • A.Use of personal protection equipment • B. Use medical devices with safety features • C. Hepatitis B vaccine • D. All of the above

17. Questions for Review • Items that are drippable, flakable, pourable, or squeezable with blood or other potentially infectious material need to go into red infectious waste garbage bags. True False • Items labeled “single use” can be reused for patient care if properly cleaned. True False • Clean patient care equipment and supplies can be stored with soiled items. True False • Use soap and water when hands are visible dirty or contaminated with potentially infectious material. True False

18. Questions for Review • Type of mask used for standard precaution: • A. N95 • B. Surgical • C. Shield • Etiquette used for patients and staff when coughing: • A. Table • B. Driving • C. Respiratory

19. Questions for Review • Alcohol based hand-rubs: • A. Reduce bacteria more effectively than soap • B. Require less time to use effectively • C. Are more accessible than sinks • D. All of the above • AIDS is a leading cause of death among people ages 25-44 in the United States. True False