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Introduction |
Have you ever been stuck with a needle before? Coughed on by someone with TB? Proper infection control can protect you from being exposed via these incidents. Infection control means that actions are taken to prevent the transmission of bacteria, which can cause a secondary illness in the hospital (nosocomial infection). Proper infection control assures protection for patients, healthcare workers and visitors from acquiring infections. §
Standard
precautions refer to the use of barriers or personal protective equipment,
i.e., gloves, gowns, masks, etc, when staff are involved in activities that
may place staff in direct contact with blood, moist body substances, mucous
membranes or broken skin of another person.
§
Standard
precautions apply to the care of all patients since it is not possible to
identify who is or is not infected. §
Standard
precautions protect the patient as well as the healthcare worker. |
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Hand Washing |
There are several
methods for preventing infections. Handwashing,
Handwashing, Handwashing….. Handwashing is a
very important (if not the most important) part of infection control. If done properly and frequently, it is
also the easiest means of preventing the spread of infection. Employees and anyone in patient contact
should wash thoroughly wash their hands. Handwashing should
be done: §
Before and
after patient contact §
Immediately
after removing gloves §
Immediately
after contact with blood and any other body fluids §
Immediately
after contact with other potentially infectious materials] §
Before
eating, drinking, handling food §
After using
bathroom facilities §
Whenever
hands are visibly soiled Proper handwashing: §
Wet hands
under warm running water §
Apply soap
and lather hands. Scrub for at least
10 seconds §
Rinse hands
under warm running water §
Dry hands
with paper towel and discard towel §
Turn off
faucets using paper towel and discard towel |
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