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Infection Prevention 2012Net Learning Module for all KCI/KCC Staff
Respiratory EtiquetteInfluenzaHand HygieneTB Control Plan
Mary Ellen Lesperance RN, MSN CICLisa Engles MT (ASCP) CIC
Objectives
Understand the importance of getting an annual influenza vaccine
Understand Respiratory Etiquette
Understand the importance of proper Hand Hygiene
Understand the TB Control Plan
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Why should I be concerned about influenza?
I work with cancer patients. I care about people. My patients, my family, my co-workers can get the flu
from me if I am not vaccinated. Working with people with illness puts me at higher
risk for infection. Preventing influenza can save lives.
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What is Influenza?
Influenza, also known as the flu, is a contagious viral illness that targets the respiratory tract (nose, throat, airways & lungs).
Can cause serious complications, including pneumonia and death.
The most frequent cause of vaccine-preventable death in the US. Causes 24,000 deaths per year and 150,000
hospitalizations per year
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How do I know it is the Influenza?
Influenza usually has a sudden onset, lasting about a week, and may cause some of the following symptoms: fever headache aching muscles & physical discomfort dry cough sore throat runny nose
Nausea and vomiting are often referred to as the stomach flu, but this is not Influenza.
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“I think I just have a cold”
Symptoms Common Cold Influenza
Fever Not typical Common; may be high
Body Aches Mild Common; may be severe
Headache Not typical Common
Fatigue/weakness Mild Common
Stuffy nose/ sneezing Common Sometimes
Sore Throat Common Sometimes
Cough Mild to moderate Common; may be severe
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How is the virus spread?
The virus is easily spread from one person to another through droplets formed when coughing or sneezing.
It can also be spread from hand to hand contact or by touching a surface that might be contaminated with infected droplets.
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When is someone contagious?
Persons with the flu should be considered contagious for up to seven days after symptoms start.
In some cases, it may be possible for flu to be transmitted even the day before symptoms are noticed. Studies show that healthcare workers continue to work despite being ill, thus exposing patients to the flu.
No Symptoms/Contagious
Sick/Contagious
Sick/Contagious
Sick/Contagious
Sick/Contagious
Sick/Contagious
Sick/Contagious
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Flu Prevention at Work & Home
Get your flu shot! Clean your hands frequently
Avoid touching your eyes, nose & mouth Keep surfaces disinfected Wipe down keyboards, telephones,
doorknobs & other shared surfaces with disinfectant wipes
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Respiratory Etiquette
Respiratory Etiquette: Cover your mouth & nose when you cough or sneeze Cough or sneeze into a tissue
No tissue??? Cough or sneeze into your sleeve
Now clean your hands
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What is the “Flu Shot” and “Who should get it?”
Inactivated (not live) virus is injected, usually in the upper arm.
All persons 6 months of age and older should get the flu shot unless the person has contraindications, like a severe allergy to eggs.
ALL PERSONS WORKING IN HEALTH CARE SETTINGS SHOULD GET THE FLU SHOT
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How does the vaccine work?
Within 2 weeks, your body’s defenses produce antibodies against the influenza virus.
Studies show that vaccinated healthcare workers reduce patient mortality.
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
FLU SHOT IMMUNITY DEVELOPING
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
IMMUNITY DEVELOPING
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When should I get vaccinated?
The best time to get vaccinated is October or November.
But even later in the season, the vaccine still provides protection.
October
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28 29 30 31
November
Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun
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Reminding our Visitors
Keeping our patients safe also means reminding our visitors about signs and symptoms of the flu.
Signage may be posted at the entrance of all inpatient units and in Ambulatory waiting rooms.
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Flu Myth #1
The flu is no worse than a bad cold
FALSE
Influenza is more severe and dangerous than the common cold. The flu can lead to pneumonia and death.
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Flu Myth #2
The flu shot can give you the fluFALSE The vaccine contains inactivated influenza, and cannot
cause the flu.
It is possible to experience certain uncomfortable side effects such as soreness at the site of injection, mild fever, body aches or headache.
If these side effects do occur, they are mild and short-lived in comparison with the actual flu, and are NOT contagious.
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Flu Myth #3
Only old people & those who are sick need a flu shot
FALSE Everyone 6 months and older should get the flu shot
This includes healthy adults, children and all persons working in healthcare.
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Every year, 5 to 10 percent of inpatients develop infections resulting in 98,000 deaths nationally.98,000 deaths equals:
• More deaths than those caused by breast cancer, colon cancer and stroke combined
• Equivalent to a 747 plane crash killing all passengers/crew every other day
• One death every 6 minutes
What can you do to prevent this?
Patient Safety….
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Patient Safety….
Clean hands reduce infections and save lives!!!
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Healthcare workers should perform hand hygiene:Healthcare workers should perform hand hygiene:
• before and after direct contact with patients• before and after removing gloves• before handling an invasive device for patient care• after contact with blood, body fluids or excretions, mucous membranes, or wound dressings• after contact with contaminated items, such as medical equipment, medical waste, soiled linen• after contact with objects in the immediate vicinity of the patient, such as bedside trays, bedrails, phone, etc.
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• after sneezing, coughing, or disposing of tissues
• before and after handling medication
• before and after preparing food
• before and after using the restroom
Health care workers should perform hand hygiene:Health care workers should perform hand hygiene:
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In this study, each X shows where bacteriawere cultured in a room that had beenoccupied by a patient with an infection.
Healthcare workers’hands can also become contaminatedby contact with the patient care environment…not just the patient!!!
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Alcohol hand rubshave been shown to:
• Be more effective in reducing bacteria on hands than soap and
water
• Require less time to use
• Reduce hand irritation and dryness with repeated use
Rub a sufficient amount of alcoholfoam over entire surface of hands
until completely dry
Alcohol Hand Rubs
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Handwashing with soap
and water is required
when hands are visibly dirty
or visibly soiled with
blood or other body fluids.
Wash with soap and warmwater for at least 15 seconds. Rinse with warmwater and turn off faucet with paper towel.
Soap and Water Wash
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How often do healthcare workers
REALLY clean their handsbetween patients?
Many observation studies show that HCW use
proper hand hygiene only
of the time!
Hand Hygiene Score Card
THIS ISN’T GOOD ENOUGH! WE MUST BE 100%!!THIS ISN’T GOOD ENOUGH! WE MUST BE 100%!!
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Use ONLY Karmanos-approved hand soaps, alcohol rubs, and lotions:
Lotions from home are not approved for use in hospitals because:
1. They can damage the gloves you wear and cause leaks
2. They easily become contaminated and actually put more bacteria on your skin
3. They interfere with the antiseptic soaps
Karmanos-approved hand lotion
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Artificial nails hide dangerous germs and increase the risk of spreading bacteria between healthcare workers and patients! Karmanos policy regarding fingernails:
•Artificial nails (including gels and wraps) are not allowed.
• All nails should be nicely trimmed and should not be more than ¼ inch long
• Nail polish should not be chipped
• Jewels or ornaments should not be attached to the nails
This fashion statement can harm patients!
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Tuberculosis (TB) Control Plan What is TB?
TB is a contagious disease caused by the bacteria named Mycobacterium tuberculosis. TB infects primarily the lungs. Signs and symptoms of TB include:
TB is spread when infected people cough or sneeze the bacteria into the air and others inhale the bacteria.
• Fever• Weight loss• Night sweats• Fatigue, weakness• Prolonged cough (cough > 3 weeks) and/or blood-tinged sputum
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TB Control Program Protecting Staff
MI/OSHA requires that all health care facilities have a TB Control Program to protect staff from exposure to TB while at work.
KCC’s TB Control Program is on the Policy website in IC 124.
Getting your TB skin test or TB assessment is mandatory and part of the TB Control Program.
References
CDC.gov/flu
CDC, Guidelines for Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings, 2002
CDC, Guidelines for Preventing the Transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Healthcare Facilities, 2005.
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Summary We hope this Computer Based Learning course has been both
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