Infection Prevention and Control

Question 1

Outline the 8 general SICP’s for infection control?

Answer 1

Hand Hygiene at 5 key moments
Clean/disinfect equipment between patients
Follow respiratory hygiene and cough ettiquette
Use and dispose of sharps safely
Use PPE to prevent exposure to bodily fluid
Use aspetic technique
Perform regular environmental cleaning
Handle and dispose of waste safely

Question 2

Give four examples of respiratory infections that can be spread via aerosol.

Answer 2

COVID-19
Tuberculosis
Measles
Chicken Pox

Question 3

What are the three ways respiratory pathogens can be spread?

Answer 3

Droplets/aerosols
Fomite
Direct contact

Question 4

Which factors determine droplet size from coughs and sneezes?

Answer 4

Momentum
Air speed
Turbulence
Direction
Temperature
Relative humidity

Question 5

Outline the hierarchy of controls for hazerdous environments from most effective to least effective.

Answer 5

Elimination of hazard
Substitution of hazard
Engineering controls (isolate people from hazard)
Administrative controls (change the way people work)
PPE (Protect the worker)

Question 6

Outline four engineering controls which can be implimented in general practice to minimise infection risk from aerosols.

Answer 6

Rubber dam
High volume aspiration
Isolate people from the hazard
Effective surgery ventilation (which is monitored)

Question 7

Give two ways effective ventilation can be achieved in practice.

Answer 7

Portable HEPA filters
UV air disinfection

Question 8

To what level should CO2 levels be kept for adequate ventilation in dental practice?

Answer 8

Maintain CO2 concentrations below
800ppm