Download Routine Practices

Routine Practices
Purpose of the session
To increase your:
 Understanding of the basic concepts of infection
prevention & control;
 Ability to identify how microorganisms are spread;
 Ability to identify methods to prevent the spread of
microorganisms
 ILS’s infection prevention & control strategies
Did you know?
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Infectious diseases remain in the leading cause of
death worldwide in both adults and children
Of the close to 52 million deaths in the world each
year, more than 17 million – one in every three – is
from infectious disease.
In Canada, influenza and community-acquired
pneumonia account for 60,000 hospitalizations and
8,000 deaths annually.
What is Infection Prevention & Control
Evidence based practices and procedures that,
when applied consistently, can prevent or
reduce the risk of transmission of
microorganisms to staff, volunteers , clients
and others – the primary focus is on
PREVENTION.
What are microorganisms?
Very small organisms - invisible to the naked eye;
 They include bacteria, viruses and fungi;
 Some cause infections, others do not;
 A typical person's hands can carry 10,000 to 10
million microorganisms – some resident, some
transient.
Note: Resident organisms live and grow normally on your skin –
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they offer protection & are very difficult to remove. Transient
microorganisms do not normally live on the skin and are
acquired by contact with other objects or people . They can be
easily removed by hand hygiene
More about microorganisms
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In order to prevent infections, it is important to
understand how microorganisms are spread and the
actions you can take to reduce their transmission;
Some people have no symptoms and yet they can
spread microorganisms that can make other ill;
Some people can be in touch with microorganisms
and not become ill while other become very ill.
Why is Infection prevention &
control so important?
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It helps to reduce the risk of transmitting
microorganisms to:
 Your client
 Your self
 Your family and friends
 Others in your community
 others in the world
New & existing Infectious
Diseases
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Hepatitis C
AIDS
Avian Flu
Increase in antibiotic resistant microorganisms
Biological warfare ( e.g. anthrax)
The big question ????
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Is another influenza pandemic likely ??
When might it occur ??
What will protect us during such an event??
What are ROUTINE Practices?
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A system of infection control prevention and control
practices recommend within Canada to prevent and
control transmission of microorganisms in health
care settings. These included:
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Hand hygiene
Hand washing
use of alcohol – based hand rubs
Use of additional personal protection equipment
( e.g. gloves, face protection, etc) to prevent
contact with a client’s blood, body fluids,
secretions, non intact skin or mucous membranes.
Basic concepts on Infection
Prevention & Control
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There are six major links in the chain of
transmission. If one is interrupted, an infection will
NOT occur. Some of these links cannot be changed
but we can impact on others. The links are:
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An agent
A reservoir
A point of entry
A mode of transmission
A point of exit
A susceptible person
The Chain of Transmission
Agent
e.g. Rhinovirus
(cold)
Reservoir
e.g. human
Susceptible
Person
e.g. elderly
Point of Exit
e.g. respiratory
Tract (cough)
Point of Entry
e.g. nose
Mode of
Transmission
e.g. droplet
Preventing & Controlling –
Points of Entry
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There are activities to prevent and control the points of
entry of agents into your body, including:
 Do not share your personal items – tooth brush, razor
 Use routine practices- hand hygiene
 Keep your hands away from your face ( eyes, nose and
mouth)
 Wash your hands before touching your face
 Sit next to instead of in front of a client who is coughing
Protecting yourself & others
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Natural defenses:
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Skin
Mucous membrane
Secretions
Genetic makeup
Immune system
Ways to improve defenses:
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Healthy eating
Immunizations kept up todate
Intact skin
Adequate sleep
Use of hand lotions to keep skin intact
Hand Hygiene
Hand Hygiene includes:
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Hand washing and
Use of alcohol-based hand rubs
It is the MOST important method for preventing the
spread of microorganisms.
Note: recent studies of hand washing adherence among healthcare
workers found that adherence rates varied from 5% to 81% with
40% being the average.
WALK YOUR TALK AND WASH YOUR HANDS!
Hand washing components
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Turn on the tap to comfortable temperature.
Wet hands.
Use one pump of soap – not bar soap!
Rub hands together covering all surfaces to create
friction.
Rub hands for a minimum of 15 secs and longer if you
can see that your hands are soiled.
Rinse hands thoroughly under running water.
Pat hands dry with paper towel ( never use a clients
hand towel).
Turn off taps with paper towel.
Dispose of same in waste basket.
NOTE: effectiveness depends on the time taken and the technique
Waterless Alcohol based Hand Rubs
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Apply 1.5 to 3 ml. of an alcohol gel to the palm of
one hand and rub hands together.
Cover all surfaces of your hands and fingers,
including areas around/under the fingernails.
Continue rubbing hands together until the alcohol
dries – it should take about 10-15 secs. of rubbing
before your hands feel dry.
Remember:
Hands must be dry so as not to dilute the hand rub
Examples of when to use hand hygiene
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At the beginning of each visit.
Before direct contact with a client- especially those at
increased risk.
After you have had direct contact with a client especially
before you have direct contact with another client.
Before preparing, handling, serving or eating food.
Before feeding a client.
When hands are visibly soiled.
When hands have touched or might have touched another
person's blood, body fluids, secretions or excretions or any
form of garbage.
After using the toilet.
After changing a diaper.
Before you touch your face.
After removing gloves & other protective equipment.
Before leaving a client home.
When in doubt - WASH!
Tips for protecting your hands
Microorganisms can enter your body through cracked skin.
To assist in keeping your skin intact after washing your hands:
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Dry hands thoroughly.
Use hand lotion.
Always carry hand lotion with you for use when traveling from
home to home.
Wear gloves in winter or when gardening to protect the skin on
your hands
Note:
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Do not share hand lotion.
Do not refill lotion containers as microorganisms can grow in them.
Teach your clients how to properly wash their hands.
Personal protective equipment
Types:
Gloves
Gowns
Face protection
Use when:
 Blood, secretions, excretions or body fluids are likely
to come in contact with your skin, mucous membrane,
or could penetrate clothing.
 Your skin is broken, cracked, cut or scraped.
Current and future concerns
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Infection present in people resistant to antibiotics
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Misuse of antibiotics – used to treat an infection that is caused
by a virus not bacteria
Antibiotics not being used as prescribed – client does not take
full dose
New diseases emerging ( SARS, Avian flu)
Changing/mutation of agents
Old diseases reappearing ( i.e. TB)
Fast spread of infectious diseases globally through air travel,
etc
Overcrowding with poor sanitation in parts of the world.
Systems for monitoring and diagnosing new infectious
diseases needs improvement
Summary of key points
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Use of good hand hygiene is the MOST important
method for preventing the spread of microorganisms.
Stay home if you are ill.
Use Routine Practices.
Keep yourself healthy.
Keep your immunization up to date.
Get an annual flu shot.
Prevention is the most effective focus.
Avoid being obsessive but assess risk in every situation
and govern yourself accordingly
Never neglect infection prevention and control practices.
Keeping your self up to date
With knowledge increasing about infectious diseases and
outbreaks, it is important to keep up to date.
Some websites to monitor include:
Health Canada: www.hc-sc.gc.ca
Ministry of Health & Long Term Care: www.health.gov.on.ca
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC):
http://www.cdc.gov/page.do