Basic Infection Control Skills License BICSL

Summary

This training module covers key infection prevention and control principles essential in healthcare settings, focusing on hand hygiene, personal protective equipment (PPE), and isolation precautions. It explains the correct hand hygiene techniques using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water, as well as when to practice hand hygiene, such as before patient contact and after body fluid exposure. The module also outlines the proper donning and doffing procedures for PPE like gloves, gowns, masks, and face shields, along with guidelines for droplet, airborne, and contact precautions to prevent the spread of infections. Successful completion of the training leads to the issuance of a Bixel card.

Takeaways

• 😀 Hand hygiene is the most important measure to prevent the transmission of harmful germs and avoid Healthcare Associated Infections.
• 😀 Alcohol-based hand rub should be used for 20-30 seconds, while hand washing with soap and water should last 40-60 seconds.
• 😀 Hand hygiene should be performed at five key moments: before touching a patient, before clean procedures, after exposure to body fluids, after touching a patient, and after touching patient surroundings.
• 😀 Personal protective equipment (PPE) acts as a barrier between healthcare workers and germs, helping prevent the spread of infections.
• 😀 Types of PPE include gloves, gowns, surgical masks, eye goggles, face shields, and respirator masks, each with specific purposes for protection.
• 😀 Proper donning and doffing of PPE is critical to avoid contamination. Always wash hands after removing any PPE.
• 😀 Transmission-based precautions are essential for preventing the spread of infections. These include droplet, airborne, and contact precautions.
• 😀 Droplet precautions are necessary for diseases like influenza, which spread through droplets from coughing or sneezing.
• 😀 Airborne precautions are required for infections like tuberculosis, which spread through airborne particles or droplets.
• 😀 Contact precautions prevent the spread of infections through direct or indirect contact with infected surfaces or patients.
• 😀 Healthcare workers must follow strict protocols for hand hygiene, PPE use, and transmission-based precautions to protect both patients and themselves from infection.

Q & A

What are the main principles of infection prevention and control?

The main principles include hand hygiene, personal protective equipment (PPE), and isolation precautions.

Why is hand hygiene considered the most important measure in infection prevention?

Hand hygiene is crucial because hands are the main pathway for germ transmission during healthcare, and cleaning hands prevents the spread of harmful germs and Healthcare Associated Infections.

When should alcohol-based hand rub be used?

Alcohol-based hand rub should be used when hands are not visibly soiled, and it requires a duration of 20 to 30 seconds to be effective.

What is the recommended duration for hand washing with soap and water?

Hand washing with soap and water should take 40 to 60 seconds to effectively remove germs.

What are the five moments for hand hygiene?

The five moments for hand hygiene are: 1) Before touching a patient, 2) Before a clean or aseptic procedure, 3) After body fluid exposure risk, 4) After touching a patient, and 5) After touching patient surroundings.

What types of personal protective equipment (PPE) are commonly used in healthcare settings?

Common PPE includes gloves, gowns, surgical masks, eye goggles, face shields, and respirators.

How should gloves be removed safely?

To remove gloves, grasp the palm area of one glove with the gloved hand, peel it off, and then remove the second glove over the first. Discard gloves in a waste container immediately.

What are droplet precautions, and when are they necessary?

Droplet precautions are required to prevent the spread of germs transmitted by droplets, such as the flu. A surgical mask should be worn within one meter of the patient, and hand hygiene should be performed before and after patient contact.

What are airborne precautions, and which diseases require them?

Airborne precautions are used for diseases like tuberculosis and measles, which spread through tiny droplets or dust particles. A fit-tested N95 respirator should be worn by healthcare workers when entering the patient's room.

What is the procedure for donning PPE?

The correct procedure for donning PPE is: 1) Put on the gown, 2) Apply the mask or respirator, 3) Wear goggles or a face shield, and 4) Put on gloves, ensuring the gloves cover the gown's wrist area.