Hiking Up the Standards: Hiking Up the Standards: New Issues in Infection New Issues in Infection ControlControl

Connie Cavenaugh, BSN, CICConnie Cavenaugh, BSN, CIC

UAMS University HospitalUAMS University Hospital

Little RockLittle Rock

What Are “The What Are “The Standards”?Standards”?

THERE’S REALLY ONLY ONE THERE’S REALLY ONLY ONE

DO NO HARMDO NO HARM

How Can I Harm My How Can I Harm My Client?Client?

Share my infections with themShare my infections with them Transfer infections from one client Transfer infections from one client

to anotherto another Not accept responsibility as their Not accept responsibility as their

healthcare professionalhealthcare professional

Transmission of DiseaseTransmission of Disease

HostHost

Agent Agent Environment Environment

Dangerous Communicable Dangerous Communicable DiseasesDiseases

Blood borne pathogens - HIV, Blood borne pathogens - HIV, HepatitisHepatitis

TuberculosisTuberculosis MeningitisMeningitis Childhood diseases - measles, Childhood diseases - measles,

chicken poxchicken pox InfluenzaInfluenza

Not Dangerous, Just Not Dangerous, Just Miserable Communicable Miserable Communicable

DiseasesDiseases

Childhood diseases - for childrenChildhood diseases - for children Bad coldsBad colds Foodborne diseases - salmonellaFoodborne diseases - salmonella Little critters - head & body liceLittle critters - head & body lice Skin diseases - ringwormSkin diseases - ringworm

Ounce of Prevention Is Ounce of Prevention Is Worth a Pound of CureWorth a Pound of Cure

Standard precautionsStandard precautions Personal protective equipmentPersonal protective equipment Linen disposalLinen disposal Waste disposalWaste disposal Proper handling of sharpsProper handling of sharps ImmunizationsImmunizations

Cleaning Begins at Cleaning Begins at “Home”“Home”

Clean, orderly work spaceClean, orderly work space Clean before you start if necessaryClean before you start if necessary Access to correct cleaners to use Access to correct cleaners to use

after client contactafter client contact Portable spill/cleanup kitPortable spill/cleanup kit

The Most Important 15 The Most Important 15 Seconds of Your DaySeconds of Your Day

Handwashing, Handwashing, Handwashing, Handwashing, HandwashingHandwashing

56% of men & 74% of women do IT 56% of men & 74% of women do IT after using the restroomafter using the restroom

22% of men & 40% of women do IT 22% of men & 40% of women do IT after sneezing or coughingafter sneezing or coughing

36% of men and 54% of women do 36% of men and 54% of women do IT after they pet the family dogIT after they pet the family dog

Important Things to Important Things to RememberRemember

You need the BIG 3 - soap, water, You need the BIG 3 - soap, water, frictionfriction

It really takes 15 secondsIt really takes 15 seconds Alcohol foam can be used as a Alcohol foam can be used as a

substitutesubstitute Lotion or even soap can be Lotion or even soap can be

contaminated with bacteriacontaminated with bacteria

Each One Teach OneEach One Teach One

Monkey see, monkey do. You are Monkey see, monkey do. You are the head monkeythe head monkey

Get visual - posters, handoutsGet visual - posters, handouts

Professional students think you are Professional students think you are the expertthe expert

The Major Oops!!The Major Oops!!

If you are stuck with a needleIf you are stuck with a needle If you are splashed with blood or If you are splashed with blood or

some other body fluidsome other body fluid If you are exposed to a contagious If you are exposed to a contagious

diseasedisease When is it time to panicWhen is it time to panic

Isolation in Hospitals & Isolation in Hospitals & Long Term Care FacilitiesLong Term Care Facilities

New CDC guidelinesNew CDC guidelines Airborne precautions - TBAirborne precautions - TB Droplet precautions - meningitis, Droplet precautions - meningitis,

measlesmeasles Contact precautions - MRSA, RSV, Contact precautions - MRSA, RSV,

VRE - what do all of the letters VRE - what do all of the letters mean?mean?

THANK YOU FOR COMINGTHANK YOU FOR COMING

Your Infection Control Practitioner Your Infection Control Practitioner appreciates your supportappreciates your support