For Internal Use Only

Annual Infection Control Training

Hospice of the Bluegrass

For Internal Use Only

ObjectivesAt the end of this program the learner will be able to:Define what an MDRO is and explain how to prevent their spread Describe proper cleaning and disinfecting proceduresIdentify a blood borne pathogen and what to do in case of an exposure Explain the process for disposal of biohazardous waste and sharps

For Internal Use Only

What is Infection Prevention?

Infection prevention describes ways we can prevent the spread of infection.

For Internal Use Only

Why is infection prevention important to HOB?

Infections can cause pain, suffering and even death for our patients. They cause

extra days in the hospital and lead to higher costs for patients and their families.

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What is an MDRO?• An MDRO (Multi Drug Resistant Organism) is a

strain of bacteria that is resistant to common antibiotics (1 or more classes) used to treat infections.

• Infections can vary, depending on the organism.

• MDRO’s can cause skin infections (boils, abscesses), urinary tract infections, blood stream infections, and pneumonia, and they can infect wounds, the respiratory tract and surgical sites.

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Who can get an MDRO?

Anyone is susceptible to contracting an MDRO. Patients

are more likely to get an MDRO infection if they have: • Received multiple antibiotics or treatments with

antibiotics• Transferred from another health care facility/agency or

unit with a high colonization/infection rate• Prolonged hospital stays• Frequent hospital admissions• Critically ill and in an ICU-type unit• Immunocompromised

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How are they spread?

They can be spread by:

• Person to person via skin-to-skin contact with someone diagnosed with an MDRO

• Sharing a personal care item

• The environment contaminated with an MDRO

(MDRO’s can live in the environment anywhere from 24 hours to a week, depending on the organism)

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Colonization vs. Infection

• Colonization means that the organism is present in or on the body but is not causing illness. An employee who has been colonized can become a carrier and spread infection to other health care workers and patients.

• Infection means that the organism is present and is causing illness.

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Cleaning and Disinfecting• When items such as bedside tables and bed

rails are touched with dirty hands, it is very easy to spread germs to patients and employees if they are not cleaned properly

• Medical equipment and environmental surfaces should be cleaned with a disinfectant such as a Super Sani-cloth

• HOB provides Super Sani-cloths to all staff members in the home care setting as well as the inpatient facilities

For Internal Use Only

Contaminated Equipment

• Reusable equipment should be used with only one patient and cleaned after each patient use

• Wipe off reusable equipment such as BP cuffs, stethoscope, scales, etc., with Super Sani-cloth and allow to dry before reuse. (You must follow the contact time printed on each chemical in order to disinfect properly).

• Cleaning reusable equipment, such as IV pumps, tube feeding pumps and oxygen equipment, should be done according to manufacturer or DME guidelines. This equipment is typically cleaned by the DME staff or the CNA’s cleaning the Oxygen Concentrators.

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Laptops

• KEYBOARDS should be cleaned daily or when visibly soiled using a Super Sani-cloth

• SCREENS should be wiped with a dry microfiber cloth

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Cross Contamination

Wiping surfaces with dirty cloths can contaminate hands, equipment, and other

surfaces and can easily spread germs.

For Internal Use Only

Tuberculosis Control Plan

Where can I find the plan? • On the hospice intranet: hospice documents/

manuals/ clinical policy and procedure manual/surveillance prevention and control of infections

For Internal Use Only

Tuberculin Skin Testing/Screening

When: Every January for all clinical staff and volunteers that see patients

Why: To comply with requirements while working with our patients in hospitals and long term care facilities

For Internal Use Only

Bloodborne Pathogens

• Bloodborne pathogens are infectious materials in the blood or other body fluids that can cause disease in humans

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Bloodborne Pathogen Exposures Include Exposures to:

• Blood or Serum

• Visibly Bloody Urine

• Frank bloody drainage

• Bloody Tissue

• Semen/Vaginal Fluids

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Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure

What is an exposure?• Needlesticks or cuts from sharp instruments

contaminated with blood• Contact of the eye, nose mouth, or non-intact

skin with blood or bloody fluids• Human bite with exposure to patient’s blood, i.e.,

broken skin and bleeding gums/lips

For Internal Use Only

What to do if youhave a blood exposure?

• Immediately cleanse the area thoroughly with soap and water, flush mucous membranes and/or eyes with clean water (eye wash stations are available for the inpatient units)

• Report the incident immediately to your supervisor

• Your supervisor will ask you to go to the local HOB healthcare provider for evaluation

and screening – they will follow our protocol

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Blood Exposures

• Give the name of the patient (if known) to your supervisor so the patient’s blood can be tested

• Your supervisor may have you draw the patient’s blood for testing before you leave the home

• You or your supervisor will need to contact the patient’s attending MD or an HOB Physician for lab orders

• Your supervisor will initiate with you an Employee Accident/ Occurrence Report Form and Analysis Form.

For Internal Use Only

Blood Exposures

• Your supervisor will notify HR and the Employee Health Coordinator who will give you a report of testing results for both you and the patient (if tested). If follow-up testing is required, you will be notified at this time.

• All results are considered confidential and are filed separately in HR.

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Personal Protective Equipment

• Gowns –when splashes to the skin or clothing are likely.

• Masks/ Protective Eye Wear - required when contamination to mucous membranes, eyes or mouth may occur

• CPR Equipment/micro-shields - provided in case there is a need to do CPR

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Bio-hazardous Materials

• Lab Specimens - should be transported in zip lock bags or bags provided by the lab for specimens and should be temperature controlled in a soft or hard shell cooler designate only for transport of lab specimens

• Labels - biohazard labels should appear on hazardous material

• Body Fluids - blood and body fluids should be mopped up or wiped up using disposable gloves– A solution of diluted bleach should be used of 1:100

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Waste Disposal

• Flushable Waste - Blood and Body wastes should be flushed down the toilet

• Non-flushable waste in the home should be placed in a leak proof plastic bag which is tied securely at the neck. The trash should then be placed with the home trash receptacle. Do not leave it on the floor of the patient’s home. Be sure it fits in a trash receptacle.

• Red biohazard bags are provided for the inpatient units only.

For Internal Use Only

• Sharps are instrument capable of producing injury including: contaminated needles, syringes, scalpels, and disposable sharp instruments.

• Sharp’s containers are available to staff for these items listed above.

• Sharp’s containers should rarely be left in the home setting. If a container is left in the home for the hospice staff to use it MUST be removed from the home by the hospice staff at discharge or at the time of death. It should be brought back to the hospice office for disposal.

Syringe/Sharp Disposal

For Internal Use Only

Syringe/Sharp Disposal

• If a patient is using syringes for a medication such as insulin, they can use a container such as a bleach bottle or coffee can for the syringe. They can tape the bottle close and dispose in their home trash.

• Never re-cap a syringe• Each syringe will be used on only one patient