Breaking the Chain of Infection

Hand hygiene

One of the most effective measures in the prevention of transmission of infection and reducing HCAIs is improving hand hygiene. Hand hygiene can be performed using:

• Soap and water

• Hand sanitisers

• Ensure that you are aware of, and follow, guidelines in your local organisation for hand hygiene

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

PPE is designed to protect healthcare

workers from exposure to potentially

infectious material. It also prevents ongoing transmission of infection material to patients.

Make sure you know and use the

appropriate PPE for the situation.

PPE equipment includes:

• Gloves

• Aprons/gowns

• Masks

• Protective eyewear

This is not an exhaustive list. It is your responsibility to use PPE in line with local policy and the requirements of your role.

Linen management

Used linen can harbour large numbers of potentially infectious agents. Precautions need to be taken at all stages of linen management:

• Storage

• Handling

• Bagging

• Transporting

• Laundering

Ensure that re-usable linen is cleaned between patients following the correct standards. All patient linen is laundered at the highest temperature the fabric can withstand. Hospitals follow health service guidance for laundering items at 70^oC for 3 minutes.

Waste and sharps management

• 'Sharps' are needles, blades, stitch cutters, scalpels and other medical instruments that are necessary for carrying out healthcare work and could cause an injury by cutting or pricking the skin

• Don’t use a sharp if you don’t have to

• Safer sharps devices must be used and, if not, then a risk assessment must be completed to acknowledge this and minimise risk of injury to the practitioner

• Never re-sheath a needle

• Ensure correct assembly of the sharps container

• Dispose of sharps in an approved container at the point of use

• Don’t exceed the fill limit

• Ensure the correct disposal of the container

• Remember to refer to your local protocol and training regarding the safe disposal of sharps and the management of healthcare waste in your trust or organisation

Specimen collection

Ensure that specimens are taken promptly and appropriately when infection is suspected and prior to starting treatment. Ensure that all staff who handle specimens follow the necessary standards and precautions.

Environmental cleaning

Ensure that surfaces are dust free and clutter free to facilitate cleaning.

Equipment cleaning

Ensure that items that are not single use are cleaned between patients as per manufacturer's instructions.

Precautions and measures

To reduce the risk of infection, it is recommended that patients and the health and social care workforce are:

• Vaccinated for infectious diseases

• Stay hydrated

• Have good nutrition

The workforce is also at risk of injury and infection from sharps. This includes those who directly handle sharps but also those who may inadvertently be put at risk when sharps are not stored or disposed of correctly.

Higher risk procedures include using hollow-bore needles and in intra-vascular cannulation, venepuncture and injections and use of IV cannulae, winged steel-butterfly-needles, needles and syringes and phlebotomy needles.

Refer to the Health & Safety Executive website in Resources for more details on the law and regulations regarding sharps.