Infection Control
Welcome to Sojourner Recovery Services’ training on Infection Control. Below you will find some general information on this subject as well as agency guidelines about how we provide infection control. This is not intended to be a comprehensive training and further training may be required. If you have questions or concerns, please contact your supervisor or an administrator.
Purpose:
The purpose of this training is to provide education on ways to prevent or decrease the opportunities for infectious diseases.
Introduction:
On December 6, 1991, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued final regulations on job exposure to blood borne pathogens. These are bacteria and viruses present in human blood and other body fluids that can cause disease in humans. OSHA has determined that employees are at risk when they are exposed on the job to materials that may cause infections, particularly blood. These materials may contain certain pathogens, or germs. These pathogens include hepatitis B virus (HBV) that causes hepatitis B, a serious liver disease, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes AIDS.
OSHA has concluded that employers can reduce or remove this hazard from the work place. This can be done by using a combination of engineering and work practice controls, personal protective equipment, training, medical surveillance, hepatitis B vaccinations, signs, labels, and other provisions.
In order for a disease to be transmitted, the following four conditions must be met:
1. A pathogen is present
2. There is enough of the pathogen to cause disease.
3. A person is susceptible to the pathogen.
4. The pathogen passes through the correct entry site.
Pathogens enter the body in five ways. Not all pathogens can enter the body in all of these ways.
A) Contact
· Direct body to body contact and physical transfer of pathogens.
· Indirect contact, usually with an inanimate object.
B) Droplet
· Respiratory secretions generated by coughing, sneezing, talking, laughing, and singing. These droplets are deposited in the susceptible host’s conjunctiva, nasal, mucous, or mouth.
C) Airborne
· Dissemination of tiny lightweight respiratory droplets. These droplets remain suspended in the air for long periods and travel long distances on dust, air currents and moisture. Inhaled by the susceptible host.
D) Vehicle
· Transmitted by contaminated food, water, handles, doors, etc.
E) Vector Borne
· Transmitted by insects and rodents.
Standard precautions were introduced by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in 1996. Included precautions are:
· Hand washing. This is the best technique against infection. Use soap and water. Rub hands and fingers together vigorously for several minutes. Rinse. Dry thoroughly. Wash hands after contact with blood, body fluids, going to the bathroom, eating, drinking, smoking, and wearing gloves.
· Wear gloves to prevent contamination of the hands when touching blood or body fluids. Sojourner requires its employees to wear gloves when coming into contact with body fluids. Both latex and non-latex gloves are available.
Other recommended precautions that are not considered Standard Precautions:
· Personal Hygiene
· Avoid eating, drinking, smoking, applying cosmetics or lip balm, handling contact lenses and touching the mouth, nose, or eyes in work areas where an exposure could occur.
· Proper rest and nutrition to decrease the likelihood of infection. Drink plenty of fluids. Water flushes your system, washing out the poisons as it re-hydrates you.
· Immunizations. Be aware of your need for updated immunizations. As well, you are encouraged to get a flu shot each year.
· Relaxation Techniques. There is evidence that when you put your relaxation skills into action, your interleukins-leaders in the immune system response against cold and flu viruses-increase in the bloodstream.
Annual trainings will be held by Sojourner Recovery Services to provide additional information about Infection Control. The additional policy and procedures information below is also available in the Sojourner Policies and Procedures file on the F Drive in the computer.
Policy: Sojourner Recovery Services staff and clients in all program components shall follow the Infection Control Plan to prevent unnecessary exposure to, or spread of communicable diseases.
Procedure:
A. All clients and staff shall receive training regarding the prevention and the control of infections and communicable diseases and the appropriate use of standard or universal precautions by staff.
B. Specific infection control procedures for outpatient facilities shall be:
1. All clients and staff will be encouraged to wash their hands for at least 10 seconds with appropriate soap after any contact with their own or others’ body fluids and before meals.
2. In the event of a spill of body fluids (vomitus, urine, etc.), staff will be called to clean up the spill and are required to wear protective gloves and use designated procedure.
3. In the event of a need to contact body fluids (e.g., helping to put a band-aid on a cut), the staff person involved will wear gloves.
4. When use of gloves is needed, the gloves will be disposed of after one use and the staff person’s hands washed.
5. The appropriate use of universal precautions is communicated to and demonstrated by personnel.
C. Personnel Responsibilities:
1. If a staff member has contracted an infectious disease which may present a health hazard to clients or other employees, the employee must see a physician. If the physician determines that the staff member is infectious, he/she must remain absent from work until written medical clearance is given.
2. When a physician recommends isolation for a client with an infection or communicable disease, a room will be provided within the facility when possible. The isolation procedures recommended by the physician shall be followed. If the facility cannot provide space adequate for isolation, the client will be temporarily discharged from Sojourner Recovery Services to a suitable location until medical clearance can be given.
3. Clients may share laundry facilities to care for linen and clothing.
4. Reusable articles or linens that are soiled should be well contained in sturdy, impermeable plastic bags.
5. Immune compromised residents are susceptible to many infections. They should minimize their exposure to staff, volunteers and residents with minor infections (colds, flu, and coughs).
6. Disposable materials (depending upon the nature) should be handled in one of the following ways:
a. Flushed down the toilet;
b. Poured down the drain; or
c. Placed into sturdy, impermeable plastic bags and triple bag
7. Garbage shall be bagged on a daily basis, securely tied and placed in a designated area until it can be placed outside for trash collection.
8. The President/CEO of Sojourner Recovery Services will regularly assess the needs of staff, volunteers and clients for infection control education.
9. If the agency becomes aware that a client engaged in treatment has a reportable communicable and/or contagious disease, the agency will report the disease to the County Health Department in accordance with OAC 3701-3 of the Administrative Code. If the client’s disease is in a communicable stage, the person will be isolated from the other clients and appropriate infection control precautions shall be taken.
10. In regard to HIV infection, the following procedures will be followed:
a. Infection with HIV virus is not a reason to deny admission to any of Sojourner Recovery Services treatment programs.
b. If a resident tests positive while in treatment, he/she must be evaluated at the AIDS Treatment Center at the University of Cincinnati.
c. If a client is known to be HIV positive upon admission, they must be under the care of a physician. If they do not have a physician, they may be seen at the AIDS Treatment Center.
d. Any specific issues related to the resident’s illness and activities should be discussed with the physician.
e. The following activities are not considered to put others at risk:
1) Sharing a household;
2) Sharing meals
3) Sharing toilet facilities
4) Kissing;
5) Hugging;
6) Shaking hands;
7) Touching;
8) Contact with books or other articles;
9) Observance of good hygiene practices by all staff and clients can do a great deal to avoid the transmission of bacteria and viruses. These practices include:
· Using showers instead of baths;
· Individual towels, washcloths, razors and toothbrushes;
· Keeping showers, sinks and toilets clean;
· Using tissues instead of handkerchiefs; and
· Good hand washing practices
Quiz Instructions:
1. Click on the link below to access the quiz
2. Print the page
3. Complete the quiz
4. Submit the completed quiz to your supervisor