24CT Part 6 H&P Infection Prevention & Control

Summary

This training video focuses on infection prevention and control principles, including hand hygiene, standard precautions, and transmission-based precautions. It emphasizes the importance of understanding how infections spread, such as through direct contact or airborne transmission, and highlights best practices like PPE usage, hand hygiene, and cleaning. Key topics include the correct use of sharps containers, managing outbreaks, and staff vaccination. The video aims to ensure staff competency in infection control and underscores the importance of preventing infections in healthcare environments. A final section encourages feedback to continually improve the training.

Takeaways

• 😀 Infection prevention is essential to prevent the spread of harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.
• 😀 Standard precautions, including hand hygiene and the use of PPE, should be adhered to at all times to prevent the transmission of infections.
• 😀 The Chain of Infection includes the causative agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible host.
• 😀 Effective hand hygiene, including the five moments, is crucial for breaking the Chain of Infection and preventing transmission.
• 😀 PPE, including gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection, should be worn appropriately based on the mode of transmission of infections.
• 😀 Direct and indirect contact are common modes of transmission of infections, requiring strict hygiene practices and proper equipment cleaning.
• 😀 Droplet transmission can occur through coughing, sneezing, or talking, while airborne transmission can spread via small particles over long distances.
• 😀 It is essential to eliminate reservoirs of infection by practicing good health and nutrition, maintaining hydration, and ensuring clean environments.
• 😀 Staff must be trained and demonstrate competency in infection prevention, including proper hand hygiene and the correct use of PPE.
• 😀 During outbreaks, staff must follow infection control procedures, including reporting to health authorities and using appropriate PPE to minimize risk.

Q & A

What is the primary goal of infection prevention and control?

The primary goal is to minimize the risk of infections in healthcare settings by following standard precautions and transmission-based precautions, along with promoting good hygiene practices and proper use of PPE.

What are some examples of microorganisms that can cause infections?

Microorganisms that can cause infections include bacteria (e.g., UTI), viruses (e.g., influenza or COVID-19), fungi (e.g., candida), and parasites (e.g., scabies or lice).

What does the Chain of Infection consist of?

The Chain of Infection consists of the following components: causative agent (the pathogen), reservoir (where the pathogen multiplies), portal of exit (how the pathogen leaves the reservoir), means of transmission (how the pathogen spreads), portal of entry (how the pathogen enters a new host), and a susceptible host (a person vulnerable to infection).

How can healthcare workers break the chain of infection?

Healthcare workers can break the chain of infection by practicing effective hand hygiene, using PPE correctly, cleaning environments and equipment, ensuring proper vaccination, and following standard and transmission-based precautions.

Why is it important to keep frequently touched areas clean in healthcare settings?

Frequent cleaning of high-touch areas like door handles, light switches, and shared equipment reduces the risk of cross-contamination and transmission of infectious agents.

What are standard precautions, and when should they be used?

Standard precautions are basic infection prevention practices that should be used at all times to protect both healthcare workers and patients. They include hand hygiene, use of PPE, and safe handling of sharps, among other measures.

What is the significance of hand hygiene in infection control?

Hand hygiene is crucial in infection control as it prevents the spread of infectious agents. It should be performed before and after caring for patients, handling bodily fluids, and after touching surfaces or equipment.

What are the recommended steps for performing hand hygiene?

The World Health Organization's hand hygiene procedure includes the following steps: apply enough hand rub to cover all surfaces, rub hands together for at least 20 seconds, ensuring all areas are cleaned, and dry hands thoroughly. Avoid using extremely hot water or damaging hand sanitizers.

When should gloves be worn and changed?

Gloves should be worn when there is a risk of contamination with blood or bodily fluids or when indicated by transmission-based precautions. Gloves should be changed immediately after caring for a patient or completing a task.

What should healthcare workers do when experiencing symptoms of illness?

Healthcare workers should not come to work if they are sick. They must stay home until they have recovered, and if they develop symptoms while at work, they should be sent home immediately.