Montgomery Medical Services

Infection Control

Aims & Objectives

To increase your knowledge and awareness of infection risks and to develop skills to minimize these risks.

Knowledge of how infectious diseases spread Learn practices to reduce the risk of cross

infection Knowledge of the term “Universal

Precautions/Standard Precautions

Universal/Standard Precautions

What is it?

Universal/Standard Precautions are work practices that help prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

Who should know about it?

Every member of the healthcare team.

Patients and their families depend on the staff to prevent the spread of infectious disease.

Universal/Standard Precautions

Standard Precautions underpin routine safe practice, protecting both staff and patients from infection.

Standard Precautions include: Achieving optimum hand hygiene Using PPE Safe handling and disposal of waste & bodily

fluids Good communication Training & education

The Spread of Infectious Diseases

All of the following are necessary for a disease to spread: A Germ A Source An Exit A Method of Transmission Portal of Entry A Susceptible Person

The goal is to stop germs from traveling from a source to another person.

The Chain of Infection

Source of infection

Method of spreading

Person at risk Point of entry

Breaking this chain by removing any part of it will control or stop the spread of infection

Hand Washing

Hand hygiene is the one most important single activity that can be used to help reduce the spread of infection and disease, yet evidence suggests that many healthcare workers do not wash their hands as often as they need to or use the correct technique.

Body Substances

Any Body Substance can contain germs.

Standard Precautions are used in providing care to all patients, since it is not possible to know who is infected, therefore, treat all patients as if they are infected.

Protecting Patients, Staff & Others

1. Wash your hands After touching blood, other body substances,

broken skin or mucous membranes (whether or not gloves are worn).

After removing gloves Between patients After handling potentially contaminated items After using the restroom & smoking After eating

Protecting Patients, Staff & Others

2. Wear Gloves: When contact with blood & body fluids is

possible When patient has broken skin or mucous

membranes Change between patients

Gloves are not a substitute for handwashing

Protecting Patients, Staff & Others

3. Masks, Face & Eye ProtectionWhen splashes or sprays of blood, other body

fluids, secretions or excretions are possible

4. GownWear a gown if splashing or spraying of blood,

other body fluids, secretions or excretions is possible.

Choose a gown that is suitable for the amount of splashing/spraying likely.

Emergency Procedures

Spills Use appropriate PPE Clean up spills promptly Use approved disinfectant Clean work surfaces after completion of work and any

time it is contaminated with blood or other body substances.

Exposures Wash exposed are immediately with soap and water. For eye contact – flush with water for 15 minutes. Report incident as required by policy

Selecting, Storing, Using and Disposing of Infectious Materials and Waste

MMS provides staff with disposal containers for the proper disposal of contaminated waste.

Containers are located in each of the examination rooms, the private Chemo rooms, main chemo room, Lab, & Chemo Prep room

Stay alert use proper procedures.Replace containers when ¾ fullNEVER recap, bend or break needles, dispose

of them in properly in sharps containers.

Reporting

Promptly report all exposures to the Office Manager

Seek Post exposure treatment if necessary Complete necessary paper work