Infection Prevention and Control

What is an Infection?

An invasion of the body by a harmful organism or infectious agent such as a virus, parasite, bacterium or fungus

Colonisation

The presence of microorganisms on a body surface (such as skin, mouth, intestines or airway) that does not cause a disease in the person or signs of an infection

Healthcare Associated Infection

Occur as a result of medical care or treatment in a healthcare setting

The Chain of Infection

Infectious Agent

Reservoir

Portal of Exit

Mode of Transmission

Portal of Entry

Susceptible Host

5 Moments for hand hygiene

Before touching patoent

Before clean/aseptic procedures

After bodily fluid exposure/risk

After touching patient

After touching patient surroundings

Station Areas - Colours

Red - Toilets and showers

Blue - General areas (stations)

Green - Kitchen and dining (stations)

Yellow - Ambulance (all parts)

Cleaning Materials

Green Clinell wipes - routine cleaning of hard surfaces in the patient environment not suitable for hands or skin

Red Clinell Wipes - Sporicidal wipes - need to be activated with water

Clinell spill kit - large body fluid soak up to 1 litre

Actichlor - large volume spills

Bin Bags and Sharps Boxes

Clear - Recycling

Black - General Waste

Tiger Stripe - Non infectious clinical waste

Orange - Infectious waste

Yellow - HART team hazardous waste

Yellow Box - sharps

Purple lid sharps - Cytotoxic found in maternity pack

Sharps box should be changed at 2/3 full

Linen Bags

Clear - General use

Red - nfected or soiled iten in water soluble bag

Hierarchy of Controls

From effective to least effective

Elimination - remove the hazard

Substitution - replace the hazard

Engineering Controls - Isolate people from hazard

Administrative Controls - Change the way people work

PPE - Protect the worker

Actions following Bodily Fluid Exposure

Sharps:

Bleed it

Wash it

Cover it

Report it

Fluid splash to eye

Wash it

Report it