Question

1. Describe how a health care practice should follow the protocols to establish and maintain clean and contaminated zones in all aspect of health care work.

2. Explain the importance of following the appropriate cleaning practices to prevent infection in the workplace. Also explain the process of disinfection and sterilisation.

Answer 1

Ans) 1) Use medical & surgical asepsis, Standard Precautions, & Transmission-Based Precautions
-Strict aseptic technique:
^used in invasive diagnostic and therapeutic proceedures (IV/urinary catheters, surgical procedures)
-Isolation used to prevent contact between patient & others
-Infection prevention and control involves:
^monitoring diagnostic reports related to infection
^observing patient for signs of infection
^implementing proceduresto contain microorganisms
^properly handling, sterilizing, or disposing of contaminated items
^using approved sanitation methods
^recognizing individuals at high risk for infection & implementing appropriate protection
Current Standards
-Teir 1: Standard Precautions:
^delineate methods for avoiding direct contact with body secretions except sweat
-Teir 2: Transmission-Based Precautions:
^interrupting mode of transmission by identifying specific secretions that might be infective
^used alone or in combination but always in addition to Standard Precautions

2) The purpose for putting polices and procedures in place for Infection Control is to ensure employees, clients and families are protected against infectious diseases and infections by providing guidelines for their investigation, control and prevention.

Cleaning: removal of residues

Disinfecting: process of cleaning something (including antiseptics), in order to reduce bacteria.

-some organisms/spores may survive

Sterilizing: the process of making something free from bacteria/living microorganisms, including spores
-however, even with sterilization, endotoxins such as LPS may still prevail.
-goal is to decontaminate the space.

- Disinfection can be achieved by physical or chemical methods. Chemicals used in disinfection are called disinfectants.

- Sterilization can be achieved by a combination of heat, chemicals, irradiation, high pressure and filtration like steam under pressure, dry heat, ultraviolet radiation, gas vapor sterilants, chlorine dioxide gas etc.