W6 Infection Control

Why is infection control important?

• Requirement of GOS contract

• Prevents px from unnecessary infections

• Prevents practitioner from unnecessary infections

What are some examples of Law and Infection control?

• Abiding to GOS contract in England- appropriate arrangements for infection control and decontamination

• Management of HSE at work regulations (1999)- practice owner has the responsibility to ensure working environment is safe

• Opticians Act- duty of care towards patients

What is involved in a risk assessment?

• Identify hazards to the patient/practioner

• Degree of risk of each activity and action plan to minimise risk

• Staff training

What are the main types of microbes?

• Bacteria

• Fungi

• Protozoa

• Viruses

What is the chain of infection in order?

• Infectious agent

• Reservoir (on equipment)

• Portal of exit (reusable equipment)

• Mode of transmission (direct/indrect, hands)

• Portal of entry (broken skin)

• Susceptible host

ARP TES

What are examples of routes of transmission?

• Airborne

• Sneezing

• Dust

• Contact

• Hands and equipment (indirect)

Approx how many particles are in a cough?

100,000- with a sneeze having 20 times more

What is the NICE recommendation for hand washing?

…

What are hand hygiene requirements according to NICE 2003?

…

When do we use hand washing agents such as soap?

• Before and after direct contact w px in clinical settings where there’s an outbreak of anti microbial resistant micro-organisms

• When there’s heavy microbial contamination or before invasive procedures/minor operations

When do you use an alcohol based antibacterial hand rub?

• When handwashing and drying facilities are inadequate

• Cannot be used if hands are visibly dirty or contaminated

When must gloves be worn?

• Invasive procedures (not including CL fitting)

• Practioner has cracked hands

• Px has infective condition

What are examples of hand contact points?

• Amsler grids

• Reading charts

• Spouse button

What are examples of direct contact points?

• CL

• Reusable tonometer prisms

• Chin/forehead rests

• Examination chairs

How do you decontaminate equipment?

• Cleaning- detergent removes visible contamination

• Disinfection- requires heat/chemicals, reduces micro-organisms

• Sterilisation- removal/destruction of all micro-organisms

Which chemicals may damage gonio lenses?

Acetone, alcohol and hydrogen peroxide

What do we not use to clean volk lenses?

Alcohol- dissolves cement holding lens in place

What’s the guidance on the reuse of contact lenses?

…

What is the process of decontaminating contact lenses?

• Soaked in sodium hypochlorite solution for 1 hour

• Remove from solution and shake residual solution off

• Rinsed from normal sterile saline solution or freshly boiled water at room temperature

• Disinfect the normal way

Where should drugs be stored?

• In a fridge with no food or drink

• 2-8 degrees optimal

• Lockable door

• Records of temperature and medicine should be available for audit

What are examples of clinical waste?

• Human/animal tissue

• Bodily fluids

• Drugs

• Swabs

• Syringes

• Excretion