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I
NF
ECT
IONC
ONTROL
IS EVERYONE’S BUSINESS!
Angela Billings
Infection Prevention and Control
Practitioner
HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATED
INFECTIONS
“Healthcare Associated Infections
(HCAI) are believed to cost the
NHS at least £1billion annually
and causes at least 5000 deaths”
(National Audit Office 2000, 2004)
SO WHY IS IT
YOUR CONCERN?
Micro-organisms are HARDY, RESISTANT
AND VIRILE creatures. Unfortunately they
are not clever enough to know the
difference between clinical and non-clinical
personnel or between clinical and non
clinical areas. As a result they…….
GET EVERYWHERE!!!
HOW CAN THE
SPREAD OF
INFECTION BE
PREVENTED?
HAND HYGIENE
It is estimated that 80% of all
infections are spread by hands
(The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC))
Hand hygiene is proven to be the
most effective measure in reducing
the spread of infection, e.g. from
your hands to your face or to other
people
INDICATIONS FOR
HAND-HYGIENE

When hands are visibly dirty, soiled or
contaminated, wash with plain or
antimicrobial soap and water (with a
physical hand-washing with the soap and
water for around 20 seconds)

If hands are not visibly soiled, use an
alcohol-based hand rub for routinely
decontaminating hands
SPECIFIC INDICATIONS
FOR HAND-HYGIENE
BEFORE:
 Patient contact
 Preparing food and beverages
 Eating
AFTER:
 Patient contact
 Cleaning equipment
 Using the toilet
SELF-REPORTED FACTORS FOR
POOR ADHERENCE WITH
HAND-HYGIENE




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
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Handwashing agents cause irritation and
dryness
Sinks are inconveniently located/lack of sinks
Lack of soap and paper towels
Too busy/insufficient time
Understaffing/overcrowding
Patients needs take priority
Low risk of acquiring infection from patients
HAND WASHING
DO YOU HAVE ON YOUR PREMISES…..





A designated hand wash basin
with easy access?
A handwash basin in each
treatment/ clinical area?
Liquid soap and paper towels in
wall mounted dispensers?
Free of clutter and inappropriate
items?
All hand wash facilities are clean
and intact, e.g. splash backs?
ALCOHOL HAND RUB
- THE BENEFITS






Requires less time than
handwashing
More effective for standard
handwashing than soap
More accessible than sinks
Reduces bacterial counts on
hands, killing 99.5% of transient
and residual pathogens initially
and 99% at 180 minutes
Improves skin condition
Safe for use with contact lenses
DON’T TAKE IT HOME!
The most common mode of transmission of
pathogens is via the hands.
POTENTIAL HAZARDS FOR HARBOURING MICRO-ORGANISMS:
 Stoned rings/jewellery
 Artificial nails, nail varnish or Nail Art
 HCWs not using hand-creams or lotions,
leading to dry and cracked skin
 Cuts or broken skin
ALWAYS
 Wear plain band ring
 No artificial nails, nail polish or nail jewellery
 Hydrate hands e.g. with hand cream
 Cover cuts/abrasions with a waterproof dressing
 Keep nails short
THE ENVIRONMENT
CONSIDER YOUR WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT
& ASK YOURSELF:
 Who is responsible for the cleaning or
decontamination of the environment, equipment,
etc?
 What maintenance programme is in place?
 What is it cleaned with? How often?
 What if it gets dirty interim? What procedures are in
place?
 Where is this information recorded?
THE ENVIRONMENT




Clean surfaces with detergent to remove
contaminants and dry thoroughly
If a surface has potentially or known infectious
material on it, follow the cleaning with a
solution containing chlorine 1000 parts per
million (p.p.m) or for visible blood stained
10,000 p.p.m
Cracks and exposed areas will harbour
bacteria, ensure areas are filled or sealed
Ensure equipment, surfaces, floors, etc are in
a good state of repair
LEGISLATION



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
The Health and Safety at Work
Act (1974)
Control of Substances
Hazardous to Health Regulations
2002 (COSHH)
The Health and Social Care Act
2008 (The Hygiene Code)
EU Directives relating to Waste
2006
Consumer Protection Act 1987
WASTE MANAGEMENT AND
SEGREGATION

Household Waste BLACK


Offensive Waste TIGER


E.g. paper towels, tissues, etc
E.g. disposable tonometer probes
Infectious (hazardous) Waste ORANGE

E.g. a patient with an eye infection with identified risk of infection

Anatomical Waste YELLOW

Cytotoxic/Cytostatic Waste PURPLE e.g. Chloramphenicol

Non hazardous Pharmaceutical Waste YELLOW container

E.g. Minims
WASTE MANAGEMENT
AND SEGREGATION
Each optometrist should:
 Review all waste generated to ensure it is
segregated and disposed of appropriately
 Ensure each work area has the appropriate
waste streams and waste bin in place
 Ensure that the bag is no more than two
thirds full and the neck is fastened securely.
The Trust or the individual can be fined up to
£150,000 for incorrect disposal of waste