G Flashcards
This has been recognized as one of the most effective intervention to control the transmission of infections in a hospital and education is an important tool to ensure its implementation.
Hand hygiene
This is regarded as the single most effective way of controlling the spread of infectious diseases. In the healthcare setting, this is highly recommended in the reducing healthcare-associated infections.
Proper handwashing
Indications for Hand hygiene
A. Wash hands with soap and water when visibly dirty or visibly soiled with blood or other body fluids or after using the toilet.
B. If exposure to potential spore-forming pathogens is strongly suspected or proven, including outbreaks of Clostridium difficile, hand washing with soap and water is the preferred means
C. Use an alcohol-based handrub as the preferred means for routine hand antisepsis in all other clinical situations described in items D(a) to D(f) listed below, if hands are not visibly soiled. If alcohol-based handrub is not obtainable, wash hands with soap and water
D. Perform hand hygiene:
a. before and after touching the patient
b. before handling an invasive device for patient care, regardless of whether or not gloves are used
c. after contact with body fluids or excretions, mucous membranes, non-intact skin, or wound dressings
d. if moving from a contaminated body site to another body site during care of the same patient
e. after contact with inanimate surfaces and objects (including medical equipment) in the immediate vicinity of the patient
f. after removing sterile or non-sterile gloves
E. Before handling medication or preparing food perform hand hygiene using an alcohol-based handrub or wash hands with either plain or antimicrobial soap and water
F. Soap and alcohol-based handrub should not be used concomitantly.
Hands should be decontaminated:
✓ Before commencing work/after leaving clinical area
✓ Before and after direct contact with patients or clients
✓ After touching patient’s or client’s surroundings
✓ Before and after wearing gloves
✓ Before performing aseptic procedures, e.g., catheterization, wound dressings
✓ After risk of exposure to body fluids (and after aseptic procedures)
✓ Before and after handling invasive devices
✓ Before and after handling food
✓ After using the toilet
✓ After leaving patient or client’s environment e.g., domestic setting
Most commonly neglected areas in hand washing?
Tips of the fingers, palm of the hand, and the thumb
WHO’s Five Momentd for Hand Hygiene
- Before touching a patient / Before patient contact
- Before clean/ aseptic procedure / Before an aseptic task
- After body fluid exposure risk
- After touching a patient / After patient contact
- After touching patient surroundings / After contact with patient surroundings
Portal of Exit:
* Microorganisms leave the body of the infected person by means of droplets exhaled as a spray when coughing, sneezing, talking, singing or just breathing. Microorganisms also escape through nose and throat secretions.
Breaking the Link:
* Do not talk directly into patient’s face
* Wear a mask
* Stay home if you are sick
* Practice good cough etiquette (cover your coughs and sneezes)
* Perform good hand hygiene
Respiratory Tract
Portal of Exit:
* Microorganisms that leave the body of the infected person by means of body secretions (e.g., stool and vomit). For example, hepatitis A virus is shed in the stool of the infected person.
Breaking the Link:
* Handle and dispose of body secretions properly
* Use personal protective equipment
* Perform good housekeeping
* Perform good hand hygiene
Gastrointestinal Tract
Portal of Exit:
* Microorganisms that leave the body of the infected person by wound drainage or through skin lesions.
Breaking the Link:
* Dispose of wound dressings properly
* Use personal protective equipment (PPE)
* Perform good hand hygiene
Skin
Portal of Exit:
* Infection may occur when someone’s blood gets into another person’s system.
Breaking the Link:
* Safe handling of sharps
* Use gloves for procedures where there is risk of exposure to blood
* Use care in obtaining, transporting and processing specimens
* Perform good hand hygiene
Blood
Portal of Entry:
* Small particles that result from evaporation of droplets from the respiratory tract of infected persons remain suspended in the air of poorly ventilated spaces for periods of time. The infectious microorganisms can be inhaled by a well person who may then become infected with the disease.
Breaking the Link:
* Wear a mask/respirator
* Maintain good ventilation
* Isolate those with respiratory symptoms
* Good respiratory hygiene/etiquette practices
* Perform good hand hygiene
Respiratory Tract.
Portal of Entry:
* Pathogenic microorganisms enter the body of a new host when food or water contaminated by feces is ingested (fecal/oral route).
Breaking the Link:
* Dispose of body excretions carefully
* Careful food handling
* Perform good housekeeping
* Wear appropriate personal protective equipment
* Perform good hand hygiene
Gastrointestinal Tract.
Portal of Entry:
* Absorption of microorganisms through exposed eyes, nose and mouth.
Breaking the Link:
* Protect eyes, nose and mouth with face shield during procedures likely to generate splashes or sprays
* Carry out good housekeeping
* Perform good hand hygiene
Mucous membranes
