INFECTION

CONTROL

AND

BLOODBORNE

PATHOGENS

You are responsible for understanding infection control guidelines, and guidelines for bloodborne pathogens when working in our facilities. Bloodborne pathogens are germs that are present in human blood, and can cause diseases in humans.

If for any reason you may be in contact with a patient in doing work in our facilities you should be using standard precautions. Standard precautions require that you use personal protective equipment (PPE) = availability of gloves, eyewear, masks and gowns. PPE is available in patient’s rooms.

Use standard precautions whenever there’s a chance of contact with:

§ Blood

§ Any other body fluids, secretions or excretions (except sweat)

§ Broken skin

§ Mucous membranes

If you should become exposed, go to the Emergency Department or Corporate Health. Follow-up will be the responsibility of you, you academic institution, or your company.

Copies of the RMH Exposure Control Plan and Infection Control Procedure are available for review from the Department Director.

Using common sense and practicing good hygiene can decrease the spread of infection.

WASH YOUR HANDS!!!

ü Hand washing is the single most important precaution for preventing the spread of infection.

ü The more you wash your hands, the less likely your chance of infection.

ü Hand washing keeps you from transferring contamination from your hands to other areas of your body or other surfaces you may contact later.

ü ALWAYS wash your hands if you come in contact with blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions and/or contaminated items and immediately after glove removal Always wash your hands before and after eating drinking, smoking, sneezing, coughing, applying make-up, handling contact lenses or using the restroom.

A Quick guide to hand washing

1. Turn on the water, and use liquid soap.

2. Scrub vigorously for 15 to 20 seconds, using warm water and plenty of lather. Scrub all areas of your hands, especially the knuckles, cuticles, all around your fingers, and under your nails. Slide rings on fingers to clean underneath them.

3. Rinse with fingers pointing downward to make sure contaminants go down the drain, not up your arms.

4. Dry your hands completely with clean paper towels

5. Get a clean dry paper towel and turn off the tap.