1.19 Infection Control

Question 1

Responsible persons for minimising cross infections

Answer 1

chief execs

Infection control teams

Anaesthetic consultant in dept

Microbiology
-advise decontam and sterilisation

Occ health dept

All healthcare workers in contact w/ OR

Question 2

Hand Hygiene

Important factors in optimal

Answer 2

1. Personal responsibility of all theatre staff
   Good hand hygiene linked with decrease rates healthcare assoc infection
2. Reg clinical governance to ID
   Strength + Weaknesses in periop infection control
3. Hand decontam
   with liquid soap and water prior to every patient contact or visibly soiled hands
4. No soiling
   antibacterial hand gel between contact
   ineffective vs C.Diff
5. Bare below elbow policy
   wrist watches and jewellery
6. Cuts abrasions and breaks covered
7. Known derm conditions may require occ health input

Question 3

Hand hygiene

Gloves

Answer 3

1. Non latex must be available
   allergy / sensitivity
2. Single use items
   put on prior to and removed directly after patient contact

3.  Non sterile gloves worn 
where there may be contact 
w/ bodily secretions
Mucous membranes
Non invasive procedures

Sterile gloves for invasive procedures

Gloves disposed of as clinical waste
correct bins

Avoid touching everyday objects - computers / phones / pens and food with gloves on

Hands decontam w/ liq soap and water post gloves

Question 4

Further safety precautions minimise infection transmission in OR

Answer 4

1. Suitable theatre garments
   scrub suits / gowns / caps / clogs available
2. Facemasks
   aseptic technique for invasive procedures
   Neural block / CVC
   face guard - risk splash bodily fluids / secretions
3. Sharps disposal
   adequate disposal complying specifications for sharps
   follow disposal incineration protocol

Minimal handling of sharps
non transferrable between clinicians
Avoid re-sheating needles

Safety needles

Question 5

OR safety measures

Answer 5

Theatre list order
Infected patients identifiable on list
minimise transmission - commonly last on list
Cleaned thoroughly before and after infected cases

Infected and non infected laundry
disposed appropriately

Guidelines advise safe prep and admin drugs by clinical and non clinic workers adhered
Single use for needle syringes
- initially in sterile packing

Single drug ampoules not shared between patients
-discarded suitable sharps containers

Infusion prep
- sterile as possible
- avoids break
scrub hub 25 chlorhex in 70% alcohol clean iv leur ports prior to attachments of infusions