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INFECTION PREVENTION
AND CONTROL
By Naheeda Khan

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WHAT IS INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL?
Infection prevention and control (IPC) aims to prevent or control the spread of
infections in healthcare facilities and the community. IPC is a universal discipline with
relevance to all aspects of healthcare.
It is part of every healthcare workers’ duty of care to ensure that no harm is done to
patients, visitors or staff. All healthcare workers require at least a basic
understanding of IPC principles and practice.
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Infection prevention and control is required to prevent the transmission of
communicable diseases in all health care settings.
Infection prevention and control demands a basic understanding of the
epidemiology of diseases; risk factors that increase patient susceptibility to
infection; and the practices, procedures and treatments that may result in
infections.
The risk of acquiring a healthcare-associated infection is related to the mode of
transmission of the infectious agent (e.g. CDI, SSI, CRE, MRSA, etc.), the
type of patient-care activity or procedure being performed and the underlying
patient’s host defenses.
Healthcare workers should be vaccinated against preventable diseases such as
hepatitis B. Personnel at risk for exposure to tuberculosis should be screened
per recommendations.

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METHODS FOR INFECTION PREVENTION & CONTROL
1. HAND HYGIENE:
Hand washing should be the cornerstone of reducing
Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs).
This is the simplest approach to preventing the spread of
infections and needs to be incorporated into the culture
of the organization.
Wash hands with warm water and soap vigorously for at
least 20 seconds.
Also, all staff members and visitors in the facility should be
encouraged to wash their hands before drinking,
eating, providing care and between caring for patients.
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2. Infection Prevention and Control
Guidelines:
Guidelines and recommendations
related to infection prevention.
HAIs are currently one of the top
ten leading causes of death in the
United States. Healthcare
professionals have an important
role in HAI prevention.
3. Use Gloves:
Health care professionals may
not always wear gloves when
interacting with patients.
But, if any contact with blood or
bodily fluids is possible, such
as when changing sheets or
emptying trash, gloves should
be worn.
4.Disinfect And Keep Surfaces Clean:
Between patients, every room in a
facility should be cleaned thoroughly
with a US EPA approved healthcare
grade disinfectant.
This helps to prevent accidental
transmission of infections as new
patients are admitted.
Furthermore, non-patient areas, such
as the breakroom and nurses’ station
should be cleaned daily.
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4.Use Personal Protective
Equipment:
Appropriate personal
protective equipment
(PPE), such as gowns,
gloves, masks and face
shields, should be readily
available to staff for
usage.
5.Provide Infection Control
Education:
Staff members need to know
how to identify common
infections and help prevent
their spread.
In addition, your organization
should provide continued,
recurring education on
infection control.
This includes training on
bloodborne pathogen and
droplet-borne infections
6.Develop An Infection Preven
tion And Control Policy:
The facility must establish
and maintain an Infection
Control Program designed
to provide a safe, sanitary
and comfortable
environment and to help
prevent the development
and transmission of disease
and infection.

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7. Antibiotic Stewardship:
The misuse and overuse of antibiotics can put patients at a risk of contracting
infections.
Inappropriate antibiotic use may also result in patients becoming resistant to
some drugs.
If those patients contract an infection, it becomes harder to treat them and the
risk of it spreading increases.
You can get to the root of infections with comprehensive infection management
program, which utilizes rapid molecular diagnostic testing to quickly identify over
90% of the pathogens that cause two of the most common and life-threatening
infections in long-term care, i.e. respiratory and gastrointestinal infections.

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CONCLUSION
Each of these strategies can help your healthcare
facility keep the spread of infections at bay.
When implemented in unison, these 7 methods
can be instrumental in ensuring the success of an
infection prevention program in your facility.
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THANK YOU