Infection Control, Level 1 and 2

Level 1 Infection Control

Principles of Infection Control

1. Hand Hygiene:
   • Importance: Hand hygiene is the most effective way to prevent the spread of infections.
   • Techniques: Proper handwashing with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
2. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
   • Types: Gloves, masks, gowns, and eye protection.
   • Usage: Appropriate use of PPE based on the type of procedure and level of exposure risk.
3. Environmental Cleaning:
   • Routine Cleaning: Regular cleaning of surfaces and equipment to reduce contamination.
   • Disinfection: Use of disinfectants to kill pathogens on surfaces and instruments.
4. Waste Management:
   • Segregation: Proper segregation of waste into categories (e.g., clinical, hazardous, general).
   • Disposal: Safe disposal methods for each type of waste.
5. Respiratory Hygiene/Cough Etiquette:
   • Covering Coughs and Sneezes: Use of tissues or elbows to cover coughs and sneezes.
   • Disposal of Tissues: Immediate disposal of used tissues and hand hygiene.
6. Vaccinations:
   • Staff Immunization: Ensuring healthcare workers are vaccinated against common infections.
   • Patient Vaccination: Promoting vaccination among patients.

Common Sources of Infection

1. Patient-to-Patient:
   • Direct Contact: Physical contact between patients.
   • Indirect Contact: Sharing contaminated equipment or surfaces.
2. Healthcare Workers:
   • Cross-Contamination: Transfer of pathogens between patients via healthcare workers.
3. Environment:
   • Surfaces and Equipment: Contaminated surfaces and medical equipment.
   • Airborne Pathogens: Pathogens spread through the air.

Basic Infection Control Measures

1. Hand Hygiene:
   • When to Wash Hands: Before and after patient contact, after removing gloves, after touching potentially contaminated surfaces, before eating, and after using the restroom.
2. Use of PPE:
   • Gloves: Wear gloves when in contact with blood, bodily fluids, mucous membranes, and broken skin.
   • Masks and Eye Protection: Use during procedures that may generate splashes or sprays.
   • Gowns: Wear gowns to protect skin and clothing during procedures likely to cause contamination.
3. Environmental Cleaning:
   • High-Touch Areas: Regular cleaning of high-touch surfaces (e.g., doorknobs, bed rails, light switches).
   • Spill Management: Immediate cleaning of spills with appropriate disinfectants.
4. Waste Management:
   • Sharps Disposal: Use of puncture-proof containers for needles and other sharp objects.
   • Biohazard Waste: Proper disposal of contaminated materials in designated biohazard bags.

Level 2 Infection Control

Advanced Infection Control Principles

1. Transmission-Based Precautions:
   • Contact Precautions: Measures to prevent the spread of infections via direct or indirect contact.
   • Droplet Precautions: Measures to prevent the spread of infections through respiratory droplets.
   • Airborne Precautions: Measures to prevent the spread of infections through airborne particles.
2. Infection Control Audits:
   • Regular Audits: Conducting regular audits to ensure compliance with infection control protocols.
   • Feedback and Improvement: Providing feedback to staff and implementing improvements based on audit findings.
3. Antimicrobial Stewardship:
   • Appropriate Use of Antibiotics: Ensuring antibiotics are used appropriately to prevent resistance.
   • Education: Educating staff and patients about the responsible use of antibiotics.
4. Outbreak Management:
   • Identification: Early identification and reporting of infection outbreaks.
   • Containment: Implementing measures to contain and control the spread of infections during an outbreak.

Advanced Infection Control Measures

1. Enhanced Hand Hygiene:
   • Hand Hygiene Audits: Regular audits to monitor compliance with hand hygiene practices.
   • Hand Hygiene Champions: Designating staff members to promote and oversee hand hygiene practices.
2. Isolation Procedures:
   • Single Rooms: Use of single rooms or isolation units for patients with highly contagious infections.
   • Cohorting: Grouping patients with the same infection together to prevent cross-contamination.
3. Use of Advanced PPE:
   • Fit Testing: Regular fit testing for respirators to ensure proper protection.
   • Advanced PPE Training: Training staff on the correct use and disposal of advanced PPE.
4. Environmental Decontamination:
   • Deep Cleaning: Regular deep cleaning and disinfection of high-risk areas.
   • Use of UV Light and Hydrogen Peroxide Vapor: Advanced disinfection technologies to reduce microbial contamination.
5. Monitoring and Surveillance:
   • Infection Surveillance Programs: Implementing programs to monitor and track infection rates.
   • Reporting Systems: Establishing systems for reporting infections and outbreaks.

Roles and Responsibilities

1. Healthcare Professionals:
   • Compliance: Adhere to infection control protocols and guidelines.
   • Education: Participate in ongoing infection control training and education.
   • Reporting: Report any breaches in infection control or incidents of infection promptly.
2. Infection Control Team:
   • Policy Development: Develop and update infection control policies and procedures.
   • Training and Support: Provide training and support to healthcare staff on infection control practices.
   • Monitoring and Auditing: Conduct regular monitoring and audits to ensure compliance.
3. Management:
   • Resource Allocation: Ensure adequate resources are available for infection control measures.
   • Support: Provide support for infection control initiatives and programs.
   • Compliance: Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.