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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. 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 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 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 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: 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: 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