INF ECTION P R EVENTION
Figure 1: Cleaning and disinfection technique using wipes
step, killing 99.99% of bacteria and viruses even on soiled hands. (See figure 1)
Personal Protective Equipment In light of COVID-19, proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is more important than ever to limit the spread of infection. PPE includes items such as gloves, aprons, masks, goggles or visors. NICE CG139 provides guidance for selecting PPE.12 l Disposable gloves – Should be worn when there is risk of exposure to blood, bodily fluids and other biohazards. Gloves are not an alternative to handwashing; hand hygiene must be performed straight after gloves are removed.11
l Aprons – Should be worn when there is a likelihood of contact with blood, secretions, excretions or bodily fluids.13 They should also be worn when handling used equipment or soiled linen.13,14
l Eye and face masks – For most interactions with patients face masks and eye protection are not required. However
they should be worn when there is a risk of accidental splashes from blood, bodily fluids or secretions to the face.15
As well as being able to select appropriate PPE, healthcare workers should be able to dispose of PPE correctly. Failure to do so can lead to transfer of microorganisms onto clothing, the surrounding environment, patients and other staff.15 steps must be taken:
The foillowing
Face masks l Wash hands l Untie the top/elastic ties l Gently pull the mask away from the face and remove it by handling the ties only
l Dispose of into a non-touch and self- closing bin
l Wash hands
Apron l Unfasten the ties l Pull the apron away from the neck and
shoulders and over the head, touching only the inside
l Fold the apron into a bundle l Dispose of into a non-touch self-closing bin l Wash hands
Gloves l Grasp the outside of the glove with the opposite gloved hand and remove
l Hold the removed glove in the gloved hand l Slide the fingers of the ungloved hand under the remaining glove at the wrist
l Peel the second glove over the first one l Dispose of into a non-touch self-closing bin l Wash hands
Cleaning and disinfection Surface decontamination has two distinct components, cleaning and disinfection: l Cleaning – The use of detergent to remove visible contamination on surfaces to reduce the number of microorganisms.
l Disinfection – The use of chemicals to destroy and remove most microorganisms present on surfaces.
Figure 2: Technique for glove removal 26 l
WWW.CLINICALSERVICESJOURNAL.COM
Knowledge and practice of cleaning and disinfection of the environment such as surfaces is a key component of IP&C control. Surfaces play a role in the transmission of pathogens. Bacteria such as C. difficile and MRSA can survive for up to five months on surfaces and viruses, such as COVID-19, can survive for up to seven days.16,17 A study found that touching a surface in a patient room contaminated with low concentrations of pathogens presents the same risk as directly touching the patient.18 When these surfaces are touched, they can result in contamination of the nurse’s hands,
FEBRUARY 2021
©gamjai -
stock.adobe.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72
