Promote and implement health and safety in health and social care
Understand health and safety in social care settings
Handout 7: Ensure own health and hygiene helps prevent the spread of infection
4222 Learning Outcomes 4, 6Assessment criteria 4.3, 6.2
4229 Learning Outcome 4, 11 Assessment criteria 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 11.1, 11.2, 11.3
How infection spreads
Infection is caused by harmful micro-organisms, usually bacteria or viruses. Not all bacteria are harmful, some are beneficial to the body. Some bacteria can live on our skin without causing harm, unless they are able to enter the body. When they enter the body, they can multiply and cause infection.
There is a variety of different ways infection can enter the body.
Precautions
- Use personal protective equipment (PPE), such as disposable gloves and aprons when appropriate, for example, if there is a possibility you may come into contact with body waste.
- Follow universal precautions at all times – the same precautions with all individuals regardless of diagnosis, unless extra precautions are necessary, for example, with MRSA.
- Regular and thorough hand washing:
- before and after contact
- after coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose or touching your mouth
- after handling bedpans, specimens, commodes
- after bed-making, handling soiled linens or using the toilet.
- Look after your hands – use hand cream to prevent chapping, cover skin breaks.
- Wear minimum amount of jewellery – follow organisational policy.
- Hair should be away from face.
- Nails should be trimmed and scrubbed.
- Change uniform daily.
- Maintain high standards of personal hygiene.
- Always carry out 'clean' procedures before 'dirty' procedures.
- Dispose of waste and spillage promptly and follow correct procedures.
- Be aware of the infection control policies and procedures where you are working.
- Maintain a clean and tidy environment – dust harbours spores.
- Always inform line manager if you may have an infectious condition, for example, diarrhoea, chickenpox, shingles.
- Think about what you do – minimise the risk of infection spreading.
Hands should be washed:
- after making beds
- after emptying a catheter bag
- before starting work
- after supporting individuals to use the toilet
- before removing a dressing
- even if hands are not visibly soiled after personal care
- after using the toilet
- before handling food
- after handling soiled linen
- after removing gloves
- after assisting an individual to move
- after removing a dressing
- before giving medication
- after handling clinical waste
- after disposing of sharps
- after emptying a commode
- before assisting an individual to eat
- before emptying a catheter bag
- after changing a continence pad
- after finishing work.
This list is not complete, you will be able to think of many more examples. The most important thing to remember is to wash hands in between going to each individual.