IMPLEMENT AND MONITOR

INFECTION CONTROL POLICIES

AND PROCEDURES
 LO1. PROVIDE INFORMATION TO THE WORK GROUP ABOUT THE
ORGANIZATION’S INFECTION CONTROL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Definition of terms:
Infection control- Infection prevention and control measures aim to ensure the protection of those who might be
vulnerable to acquiring an infection both in general community and while receiving care die to health problems, in
a range of settings. The basic principle of infection prevention and control is hygiene.
Infectious Agent – A pathogen that is able to cause disease in its host e.g virus, bacteria, fungus
• BACTERIA – the most significant and most commonly observed infection-causing agents in health care
institutions, can be categorized in various ways.
 Cocci (spherical)
 Rod shaped (bacilli)
 Corscrew shaped ( spirochetes)
• Characteristic of bacteria
 Aerobic
 Anaerobic
• VIRUS – is the smallest of all microorganisms
• FUNGI – plantlike organisms that also can cause infection, are present in the air, soil, and water.
Reservoir – the natural habitat of the microorganisms for growth and multiplication of
microorganism.
Portal of exit – is the point of escape for the organism from the reservoir.
Means of transmission - vectors are carriers that transmit organisms from one host to
another.
Portal of entry – is the point at which organisms enter a new host.
Contagious – spread of disease from one person or organism to another, typically by
direct contact
Infection – is a disease state that results from the presence of pathogens( disease –
producing microorganisms)
Incubation period – is the interval between the pathogen’s invasion of the body and the
appearance of symptoms of infection
The body’s defense against infection
• - Antigen
• - antibody
ASEPSIS – includes all activities to prevent infection or break the chain of infection.
2 categories
Medical asepsis/clean technique – reduce the number and transfer of pathogens.
Surgical asepsis/sterile technique – keep objects and areas free from microorganisms.
Disinfection – destroys all pathogenic organisms except spores
Sterilization – is the process by which all microorganisms, including spores, are destroyed

Methods of sterilization
- Steam
- boiling water
- dry heat
- radiation
- Ethylene oxide gas
- Chemical solutions
Universal precautions
• Concern about the transmission of bloodborne diseases
• Healthcare worker should use gloves, gowns, masks, and protective eyewear when
exposure to blood or body fluids was likely and that all
Immunization – the process whereby a person is made immune or resistant to an
infectious disease, typically by administration of a vaccine.
 WHAT IS INFECTION CONTROL
PROGRAM?
The important components of the infection control program are:
1. Basic measures for infection control, i.e. Standard and additional precautions
2. Education and training of health workers
3. Protection of health care workers
4. Identification of hazards and minimizing risks
5. Routine practices essential to infection control such as aseptic techniques, use of
single use devices, reprocessing of instruments and equipment, antibiotic usage,
management of blood/body fluid exposure, handling and use of blood and blood
product.
ESSENTIALS OF THE STANDARD PRECAUTIONS TO
BE USED IN THE CARE OF ALL PATIENTS
Handwashing
• Wash hands after touching blood, secretions, excretions and
contaminated
• Items, whether or not gloves are worn. Wash hands immediately after
gloves are
• Removed, between patient contacts.
• Use a plain soap for routine hand washing.
• Use an antimicrobial agent for specific circumstances.
Gloves
• Wear gloves when touching blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions,
and
• Contaminated items. Put on clean gloves just before touching mucous
membranes
• And non-intact skin.
Mask, eye protection, face shield
• Wear a mask and eye protection or a face shield during procedures and patientcare
• Activities that are likely to generate splashes or sprays of blood, body fluids,
secretions, and excretions.

Gown
• Wear a gown during procedures and patient-care activities that are likely to generate
splashes or sprays of blood, body fluids, secretions, or excretions
THE MAIN FORMS OF HAND HYGIENE