The risk of infection within a healthcare setting poses a significant risk to patients, carers and staff. Without effective infection prevention and control approaches, infection can cause distress, harm, and impair the quality of life and healthcare experiences. Infection frequently requires additional costly resources to treat. Therefore, prevention of infection has to be a key[…]

Further Information on Infection Prevention and Control www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of-health www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england  www.rcn.org.uk/ www.ips.uk.net/ www.nric.org.uk www.who.int/en/

What are healthcare associated infections (HCAIs)? Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) are infections that are acquired as a result of health care interventions. The burden of healthcare-associated infections has mainly been in hospitals where more serious infections have been observed. It is estimated that at any one time 9% of all inpatients have infection acquired whilst in hospital.[…]

How big is the problem with healthcare-associated infections? Direct Costs – There are many direct effects of healthcare-associated infections on the patients, their carers and employers. Examples of these effects include severe or chronic illness, pain, anxiety, depression, longer stay in hospital, reduced quality of life and loss of earnings. Costs of Healthcare – Other[…]

What are bacteria? Bacteria are single-celled organisms, some of which can cause disease. All people live with numerous bacteria—referred to as “normal flora” or “resident bacteria”—which usually do not cause disease unless their balance is disturbed or they are moved to a part of the body where they do not belong or to a new[…]

Chain Of Infection Infectious Agent Micro-organisms live in and outside of our bodies Generally harmless or even helpful An infectious agent (pathogen) is a micro-organism with the ability to cause disease This can be bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites Possibility of infection related to: Virulence (ability to grow / multiply) Invasiveness (ability to enter tissue) Pathogenicity (ability[…]

Recommended hand hygiene technique You may see signs like “This sink is for hand washing only” – you should use the dedicated facilities for hand hygiene.  Healthcare and social care organisations are required to display posters to remind us to wash our hands effectively.  Wet hands thoroughly with warm water and apply liquid soap  Palm to[…]

How big is the problem with healthcare-associated infections? Direct Costs – There are many direct effects of healthcare-associated infections on the patients, their carers and employers. Examples of these effects include severe or chronic illness, pain, anxiety, depression, longer stay in hospital, reduced quality of life and loss of earnings. Costs of Healthcare – Other[…]

What are bacteria? Bacteria are single-celled organisms, some of which can cause disease. All people live with numerous bacteria—referred to as “normal flora” or “resident bacteria”—which usually do not cause disease unless their balance is disturbed or they are moved to a part of the body where they do not belong or to a new[…]

The risk of infection within a healthcare setting poses a significant risk to patients, carers and staff. Without effective infection prevention and control approaches, infection can cause distress, harm, and impair the quality of life and healthcare experiences. Infection frequently requires additional costly resources to treat. Therefore, prevention of infection has to be a key[…]

Management of body fluid spillages Body fluids include blood, faeces, vomit, urine and pus, all of which may contain disease causing micro-organisms Hazardous to health and need to follow COSHH regulations Responsibility of all staff to act promptly when encountering such spills. Follow local policy and ensure only those authorised to do so tackle the spill General[…]

Why is laundry management important?  Used linen can harbour large numbers of potentially infectious agents Precautions need to be taken at all stages of linen management: Storage Handling Bagging Transporting Laundering Ensure you know and follow your local policy for the management of linen and clothing

Infection Prevention and Control Online CPD Course Summary We have now completed this online infection prevention and control CPD training course. Here is a reminder of what we have covered so far: ✓ An introduction to infection prevention and control ✓ Why infection prevention and control is important ✓ Defined and gave examples of healthcare associated infections ✓ Discussed[…]

Further Information on Infection Prevention and Control www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of-health www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england  www.rcn.org.uk/ www.ips.uk.net/ www.nric.org.uk www.who.int/en/

Appropriate hand hygiene products Decontaminate hands between caring for different patients,or between different caring activities for the same patient The following are appropriate products to use:  Liquid soap Sanitiser Moisturiser Individual hand towels Foot pedal bin Where possible products should be wall mounted Is your personal health and fitness a risk to others? Have you[…]

Why is hand hygiene important? Hand hygiene is one of the most effective measures in the prevention of transmission of infection and reducing healthcare associated infections.  Hand hygiene can be performed using: Soap and water Hand sanitizers Ensure you are aware of and follow the guidelines in your organisation for hand hygiene The World Health Organisation’s ‘Five Moments’ for[…]

Safe use and disposal of sharps Sharps include needles, stitch cutters, scalpels and any other sharp instrument. Below are some ways to minimise the risk of sharps injuries:  Don’t use a sharp if you don’t have to Consider needle free devices Never re-sheath a needle Ensure correct assembly of the sharps container Dispose of sharps in[…]

Cleaning and Decontamination A dirty or contaminated clinical environment is one of the factors that’s contributes to healthcare associated infections.  Decontamination is a combination of processes: Cleaning Disinfection and/or sterilisation This destroys or removes micro-organisms and makes equipment safe to re-use Appropriate cleaning of equipment or environment with the correct cleaning or disinfection products Take special precautions in high[…]

Management and safe disposal of clinical waste Yellow: Infectious waste, must be incinerated Orange: Infectious waste, can be treated to render safe prior to disposal Purple: Cytotoxic/Cytostatic waste, must be incinerated by licensed facility Yellow/Black: Offensive/Hygiene waste, can be land filled on licensed site Black: Domestic waste, may be land filled /recycled . . . . . .That clinical waste[…]

Infection prevention and control – Standard precautions The chain of infection can be broken by taking the following standard precautions: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Safe use and disposal of sharps Management of sharps disposal Management and safe disposal of clinical waste Cleaning and decontamination Management of body fluid spillages Management of laundry Hand hygiene Personal Protective[…]

Chain Of Infection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Infectious Agent Micro-organisms live in and outside of our bodies Generally harmless or even helpful An infectious agent (pathogen) is a micro-organism with the ability to cause disease This can be bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites Possibility of infection[…]

What are healthcare associated infections (HCAIs)? Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) are infections that are acquired as a result of health care interventions. The burden of healthcare-associated infections has mainly been in hospitals where more serious infections have been observed. It is estimated that at any one time 9% of all inpatients have infection acquired whilst in hospital.[…]

………… …… • Decontaminate hands between caring for different patients,or between different caring activities for the same patient • The following are appropriate products to use:  •  Liquid soap • Sanitiser • Moisturiser • Individual hand towels • Foot pedal bin •  Where possible products should be wall mounted

What are healthcare associated infections (HCAIs)? Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) are infections that are acquired as a result of health care interventions. The burden of healthcare-associated infections has mainly been in hospitals where more serious infections have been observed. It is estimated that at any one time 9% of all inpatients have infection acquired whilst in hospital.[…]

What are bacteria? Bacteria are single-celled organisms, some of which can cause disease. All people live with numerous bacteria—referred to as “normal flora” or “resident bacteria”—which usually do not cause disease unless their balance is disturbed or they are moved to a part of the body where they do not belong or to a new[…]

How big is the problem with healthcare-associated infections? Direct Costs – There are many direct effects of healthcare-associated infections on the patients, their carers and employers. Examples of these effects include severe or chronic illness, pain, anxiety, depression, longer stay in hospital, reduced quality of life and loss of earnings. Costs of Healthcare – Other[…]

Appropriate hand hygiene products Decontaminate hands between caring for different patients,or between different caring activities for the same patient The following are appropriate products to use:  Liquid soap Sanitiser Moisturiser Individual hand towels Foot pedal bin Where possible products should be wall mounted Is your personal health and fitness a risk to others? Have you[…]

Management of healthcare waste The management of healthcare waste is an essential part of ensuring that health and social care activities do not pose a risk of infection. To manage healthcare waste effectively, health and social care providers will need to consider: Infection control and health and safety legislation; Environment and waste legislation; and, Transport[…]

Sharps Safety – Dealing With Contaminated Sharps If you discover needles or contaminated sharp instruments on a floor, window ledge, etc. within the hospital or in the hospital grounds, do not attempt to remove them. Instead, please inform a member of staff in the area you are visiting and they will contact: Hotel services during[…]

Management of healthcare waste The management of healthcare waste is an essential part of ensuring that health and social care activities do not pose a risk of infection. To manage healthcare waste effectively, health and social care providers will need to consider: Infection control and health and safety legislation; Environment and waste legislation; and, Transport[…]

Sharps Safety – Dealing With Contaminated Sharps If you discover needles or contaminated sharp instruments on a floor, window ledge, etc. within the hospital or in the hospital grounds, do not attempt to remove them. Instead, please inform a member of staff in the area you are visiting and they will contact: Hotel services during[…]

Sharps Safety – Dealing With Contaminated Sharps If you discover needles or contaminated sharp instruments on a floor, window ledge, etc. within the hospital or in the hospital grounds, do not attempt to remove them. Instead, please inform a member of staff in the area you are visiting and they will contact: Hotel services during[…]

What is food contamination? Food contamination refers to the presence in food of harmful chemicals and microorganisms which can cause illness when consumed. Food that is suspected, or known to have been in contact with harmful substances is unfit to eat or drink and should not be offered to patients or customers. This section addresses both the chemical contamination and[…]

Management of healthcare waste The management of healthcare waste is an essential part of ensuring that health and social care activities do not pose a risk of infection. To manage healthcare waste effectively, health and social care providers will need to consider: Infection control and health and safety legislation; Environment and waste legislation; and, Transport[…]

Prevent. By the very nature of their existence, these small insects live in and amongst the product you have already purchased, typically, dried products, pasta, cereals, flour, beans or nuts so aren’t very easy to detect. This also means they are difficult to prevent because they will arrive at your food premises in a delivery[…]

There are five steps to a risk assessment which you will need to understand Identify the hazards of an area, a specific task or situation. Identify those who may be harmed such as, individuals, visitors, other workers and contractors. Evaluate the risk by looking at what methods are in place to control risks or reduce[…]

People contract Legionnaires’ disease by inhaling small droplets of water (aerosols), suspended in the air, containing the bacteria. Certain conditions increase the risk from legionella if: the water temperature in all or some parts of the system may be between 20-45 °C, which is suitable for bacteria growth it is possible for breathable water droplets[…]

Infection prevention and control – Standard precautions The chain of infection can be broken by taking the following standard precautions: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Safe use and disposal of sharps Management of sharps disposal Management and safe disposal of clinical waste Cleaning and decontamination Management of body fluid spillages Management of laundry Hand hygiene Personal Protective[…]

Why is laundry management important?  Used linen can harbour large numbers of potentially infectious agents Precautions need to be taken at all stages of linen management: Storage Handling Bagging Transporting Laundering Ensure you know and follow your local policy for the management of linen and clothing

Cleaning and Decontamination A dirty or contaminated clinical environment is one of the factors that’s contributes to healthcare associated infections.  Decontamination is a combination of processes: Cleaning Disinfection and/or sterilisation This destroys or removes micro-organisms and makes equipment safe to re-use Appropriate cleaning of equipment or environment with the correct cleaning or disinfection products Take special precautions in high[…]

Infection Prevention and Control Online CPD Course Summary We have now completed this online infection prevention and control CPD training course. Here is a reminder of what we have covered so far: ✓ An introduction to infection prevention and control ✓ Why infection prevention and control is important ✓ Defined and gave examples of healthcare associated infections ✓ Discussed[…]

Why is hand hygiene important? Hand hygiene is one of the most effective measures in the prevention of transmission of infection and reducing healthcare associated infections.  Hand hygiene can be performed using: Soap and water Hand sanitizers Ensure you are aware of and follow the guidelines in your organisation for hand hygiene The World Health Organisation’s ‘Five Moments’ for[…]

Incontinence increase the risk of pressure ulcer development. Both urinary incontinence (inability to control your bladder) and bowel incontinence (inability to control your bowels) can cause certain areas of the skin to become moist and vulnerable to infection. This can cause pressure ulcers to form. Both urinary and bowel incontinence are common and co-exist, particularly[…]

The checklist below provides a wide range of questions that may be carried out to highlight existing or potential hazards. The hazards will vary in different work settings. Lone workers should familiarise themselves with their local risk assessment processes as well as the actual and potential hazards. Hazards Questions to ask Tick if in place[…]

…. …. •        Sharps include needles, stitch cutters, scalpels,and any other sharp instrument         •        Don’t use a sharp if you don’t have to •        Consider needle free devices •        Never re-sheath a needle •        Ensure correct assembly of the sharps container •        Dispose of sharps in an approved container at the point of use •        Don’t exceed the fill limit[…]

… ……… •        Used linen can harbour large numbers of potentially infectious agents •        Precautions need to be taken at all stages of linen management: Storage Handling Bagging Transporting Laundering Ensure you know and follow your local policy for the management of linen and clothing

…. …………. •        This includes blood, faeces, vomit, urine and pus, all of which may contain disease causing micro-organisms  •         Hazardous to health and need to follow COSHH Regulations •         Responsibility of all staff to act promptly when encountering such spills. Follow local policy and ensure only those authorised to do so tackle[…]

…. … •         This is the method of transfer by which the micro-organism moves or is carried from one place to another •         The principal routes of transmission are:  Direct contact •         Human-to-human contact for example: •     Touching, kissing, sexual intercourse or from a pregnant woman to her foetus through the placenta[…]

….. •        The place of exit providing a way for a micro-organism to leave a reservoir •        For example, in the body this may include •        Any orifice (nose, mouth etc) •        Via any bodily substance