Infection control

Infection Control in Healthcare Facilities

Infection control refers to the policies and procedures used by healthcare personnel to minimize the transmission of infectious agents in healthcare settings. The goal is to protect both patients and healthcare workers from the spread of diseases.

Importance of Infection Control

Infection control is crucial in healthcare facilities to prevent the spread of infections, which can lead to severe disease outbreaks, prolonged hospital stays, increased costs, and higher morbidity and mortality rates.

A healthcare worker practicing proper hand hygiene.

Hand Hygiene

Hand hygiene is the cornerstone of infection control and is the most effective way to prevent the transmission of infectious agents. It involves performing handwashing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand rub at key moments, such as before and after touching a patient, after contact with bodily fluids, and before performing sterile procedures.

Work Practices

Sculptious work practices include the proper handling and disposal of sharps, the correct use of antiseptics, and the sterilization or high-level disinfection of instruments and surfaces.

Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

PPE is critical in protecting healthcare workers from exposure to infectious agents. PPE includes:

• Masks or respirators
• Gloves
• Gowns
• Eye protection such as goggles or face shields

Healthcare worker donning personal protective equipment.

Transmission-Based Precautions

Infection control measures are tailored based on the mode of transmission of the infectious agent. These include:

• Standard precautions: The basic level of infection control that should be used in the care of all patients all of the time.
• Contact precautions: Used for infections spread by direct or indirect contact with the patient or the patient's environment.
• Droplet precautions: Used for infections spread over short distances through respiratory droplets, such as influenza.
• Airborne precautions: Used for infections spread through the air over long distances, such as tuberculosis.

See Also

• Epidemiology
• Occupational safety and health
• Hospital-acquired infection
• Public health

Infection control Resources
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