31/03/2023
7 Types of Infection Control Precautions
1. Hand Hygiene
Perform hand hygiene by means of hand rubbing or hand washing
Ensure availability of hand-washing facilities with clean running water
Ensure availability of hand hygiene products (clean water, soap, single use clean towels, alcohol-based hand rub).
Hand washing (40-60 sec); wet hands and apply soap; rub all surfaces; rinse hands and dry thoroughly with a single use towel; use towel to turn off faucet.
2. Environmental Cleaning
Use adequate procedures for the routine cleaning and disinfection of environmental and other frequently touched surfaces
3. Patient Care Equipment
Handle equipment soiled with blood, body fluids, secretions and excretions in a manner that prevents skin and mucous membrane exposures, contamination of clothing, and transfer of pathogens to other patients or the environment
Clean, disinfect and reprocess reusable equipment appropriately before use with another patient
4. Waste Disposal
Ensure safe waste management
Treat waste contaminated with blood, body fluids, secretions and excretions as clinical waste, in accordance with local regulations
Discard single use items properly
By switching to non-contact thermometers this eliminates the need for single use plastic probe covers. These plastic probe covers, required by traditional contact thermometers, must be changed after every use and because they are deemed medical waste must be incinerated. This is costly and extremely detrimental to the environment.
5. Linens
Handle, transport, and process used linen in a manner which;
Prevents skin and mucous membrane exposures and contamination of clothing
Avoids transfer of pathogens to other patients and/or the environment
6. Gloves
Wear when touching blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, mucous membranes, nonintact skin
Change between tasks and procedures on the same patient after contact with potentially infectious material
Remove after use, before touching non-contaminated items and surface
