Download Adobe PDF - Standard Infection Control Precautions: Home Support

Standard Infection Control
Precautions
For
Home Support Workers
Standard Infection Control Precautions
Aims:
 To prevent bodily fluids coming into contact with
non-intact skin and mucous membranes
 To minimise intact skin contact with bodily fluids
We cannot tell if other people are carrying an infection, and
therefore we must treat all people in the same way ie as if they
were potentially infectious.
This leaflet provides important information for all Home Support
Workers supporting service users in Lincolnshire to protect them
and other people from the risk of cross infection.
Staff are required to report illness and infections to their line
manager in line with the corporate sickness absence policies.
It is highly recommended that all Home Support Workers are
vaccinated against Hepatitis B infection. Staff should contact their
GP in the first instance.
Hand Hygiene
Hand Hygiene is the single most important method of preventing
the spread of infection.
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Cover any cuts or grazes with a waterproof dressing
Keep your fingernails short, clean and free from polish
Take off your watch and other jewellery if possible
Wet hands under running water
Apply soap
Wash vigorously for 10-15 seconds ensuring that all surfaces
are washed and using the six-step technique as illustrated on
the next page.
Dry thoroughly with a disposable paper towel or clean cloth. Do
not use towels in the home.
Make sure hands are not re-contaminated before leaving the
premises or going to another call. Alcohol gel can avoid this.
Alcohol hand rubs may be used when hand washing facilities
are not available or are unsuitable. Alcohol gel should only be
used on hands that are not visibly soiled.
Apply gel using the same six step techniques and rub until dry.
Use a moisturising hand cream regularly to prevent dry hands.
Tell your manager if a soap or gel causes you any irritation.
When to Wash/cleanse Hands
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Before preparing, handling or eating food
After visiting the toilet
Before and after wearing protective gloves and aprons
After bedmaking
Whenever hands are visibly dirty
After any possible microbial contamination
After any situation which involves direct patient contact
(washing, assisting to move, toileting)
Always washing/cleanse hands before caring for another person
Before and after handling catheters and urine drainage bags
Before and after assisting with enteral feeding
After handling contaminated laundry and waste
After handling or cleaning up after pets
HAND WASHING PROTOCOL
1. PALM TO PALM
2. RIGHT PALM OVER
BACK OF LEFT HAND,
LEFT PALM OVER
BACK OF RIGHT HAND
3. PALM TO PALM,
FINGERS INTERLACED
4. BACKS OF FINGERS
TO OPPOSING PALMS
WITH FINGERS
INTERLACED
5. ROTATIONAL
RUBBING OF RIGHT
THUMB CLASPED IN
LEFT PALM AND VICE
VERSA
6. ROTATIONAL
RUBBING
BACKWARDS AND
FORWARDS WITH
CLASPED FINGERS OF
RIGHT HAND IN LEFT
PALM AND VICE
VERSA. WRISTS ARE
SIMILARLY RUBBED
Remember to dry hands thoroughly with paper towels
Skin Care
If skin is broken or you have a skin condition you are at greater risk of
infection. Take care of your hands and inspect them frequently for
cuts and scratches.
Cover all cuts and abrasions with a waterproof dressing.
Ensure prompt investigation and treatment by your GP for any skin
disorder such as dermatitis, eczema or psoriasis and report to your
manager. Manager must refer to Occupational Health for further
advice.
Protective Clothing
Always carry out a risk assessment:
Is there a risk of exposure to
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Blood/body fluids?
Non-intact (broken) skin?
Mucous membranes?
Chemicals/hazardous substances?
If the answer is yes, then gloves and possibly an apron are required.
Gloves
Vinyl or nitrile gloves are suitable for most carers who assist people
with personal hygiene.
 Nb never reuse only use the gloves once
 Gloves must be changed between service users and between
different activities for the same person
 Always wash hands on removal
Latex non-powdered gloves should only be used if contact with blood
is anticipated. (Refer to Latex Policy)
Aprons
Plastic disposable aprons will protect the wearer’s normal clothing or
uniform from contamination.
 Never re-use
 Wash hands following removal
 Dispose in normal refuse
Eye and Face Protection
If there is a risk of fluids splashing into your face, masks or eye
protection may be needed.
Spillages
Spillages of blood and bodily fluids and excreta may be hazardous to
health and should be cleaned up promptly.
 A disposable apron and gloves must be worn.
 Absorb and remove spillage using disposable paper towels
(kitchen roll/toilet paper)
 Wash area with general purpose detergent and hot water
 Dry thoroughly
 Dispose of all rubbish (including protective clothing worn) by
double bagging and place in domestic refuse.
 Clean bowl or bucket used with detergent and dry thoroughly
Waste
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Incontinence pads
Stoma bags
Urinary catheter bags
Incontinence wipes
Wound dressings
All of the above may contain micro-organisms and may be disposed of
the normal domestic waste if double bagged and free from excess
liquid.
The contents of the stoma and urine bags should be emptied into the
toilet, double bagged and disposed in normal refuse.
Sharps Injuries
A ‘sharps’ injury is an injury causing a cut or puncture wound by
anything that might cut, graze or prick you such as needles, lancets or
sharp instruments. These injuries may involve:
 contamination of a wound by blood or bodily fluid
 Bites which break the skin may be infectious
In many cases the community nurses will be responsible for dealing
with sharps however remember the following:
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Handle sharps as little as possible
Discard sharps immediately after use
Put used sharps in a special sharps container
Do not hand sharps from one person to another
Do not re-cap needles, break them or take them apart before
disposing of them in a sharps container
 They should not be disposed of in the normal refuse. Contact
your local community nurse or GP surgery for advice.
In the event of a sharps injury:
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Promote bleeding by squeezing gently (never suck the wound)
Wash the wound under running water
Dry and cover with waterproof dressing
Report and record the injury
If the sharp may be contaminated by blood or potentially infectious
material seek medical advice from your local Accident and Emergency
Department.
Additional Procedures
Please speak to your supervisor if you are caring for a service user
who may be using any of the following as additional infection control
procedures will be required:
 Urinary catheter
 Central venous catheter
 Enteral feeding tubes