CHAPTER 2: COMPLIANCE BASICS
INFECTION CONTROL
BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS
INFECTION CONTROL
WORKING AND LIVING SAFELY
WAYS TO STOP THE SPREAD OF A VIRUS
• Wash hands thoroughly using soap and warm water and drying with a sanitary towel
• Key times to wash include
When hands are visibly dirty
Before beginning work
After each visit to the restroom
Before and after eating/drinking
In between patient/resident contact
• Cover Coughs
• Stay Home If Sick
• Use an alcohol-based sanitizer when soap and water aren't available
Norovirus
• Nausea/vomiting
• Fever
• Diarrhea
• Muscle aches
• Stomach cramps
• Headaches
Viral gastroenterit is (stomach flu) prevention
• Contagious but can be prevented with hand washing
• Hand sanitizer does not prevent the spread of the virus
• Recognize the symptoms, which can include fever, cough, fatigue, body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, congestion, sore throat, nausea, diarrhea
• Stay up-to-date with COVID 19 vaccines
• Get tested if you have COVID symptoms
• Stay home if sick
• Avoid contact with those who have COVID
TUBERCULOSIS(TB)
• Is one of the world's deadliest diseases
• One third of the world's population is infected with TB
• Each year nearly 9 million people around the world become sick with TB and nearly 2 million die
• Deerfield requires TB screening at initial
SYMPTOMS OF TB
• Bad cough that lasts 3 weeks or longer
• Pain in the chest
• Coughing up blood or phlegm from deep inside the lungs
• Weakness
• Weight loss
• Loss of Appetite
• Chills
• Night sweats
BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS
BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS
• What are Bloodborne Pathogens
Bloodborne pathogens are pathogenic microorganisms (germs) such as viruses or bacteria that are carried in the blood and can cause disease in humans. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are three of the most common bloodborne pathogens from which workers are at risk.
• What is exposure?
When a pathogen (germ) comes into contact with a mucous membrane (eyes, nose, mouth) or broken human skin. Needle sticks, blood spills, and other job-related tasks and procedures may expose workers to bloodborne pathogens.
• What is the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard?
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) regulation requires employers to implement safeguards to protect workers against health hazards related to bloodborne pathogens.
BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS
• Who is covered by the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard?
Any occupation in which reasonably anticipated contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) may occur. Including someone who may be responsible for cleanup of blood or OPIM or who may remove trash or handle laundry. A few examples of OPIM are cerebrospinal fluid, pleural fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, and saliva in dental procedures.
• Following Universal Precautions
The CDC (Center of Disease Control) recommends that blood and OPIM from all patients be considered potentially infectious and that infection control precautions be taken to minimize the risk of exposure. At all times, assume that blood and OPIM are contaminated.
HOW TO PREVENT EXPOSURE
• Proper PPE (personal protection equipment). Examples are gloves, gown, and eye shield protection
• Wear gloves during any procedure that may result in contact with blood or bodily fluids, and when handling sharps
• Sharp safety; do not bend, recap, or remove contaminated needles. Place needles or other sharps in an approved sharps container
• Practice proper hand hygiene Cover open areas with bandages
• Exposure Control Plan is a plan developed by Deerfield to protect its employees from the dangers associated with occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
HOW TO PREVENT EXPOSURE
• Decontamination/disinfection; avoid splashing or splattering. Deerfield has facility-approved blood spill kit located in Skilled & Assisted Living, Clinic, and in Housekeeping.
• Biohazard bags/rooms. All biohazard waste must be disposed of in the north hall trash room.
• Hepatitis B vaccines are available to all Deerfield employees, free of cost. If interested, contact the Deerfield Clinic.
• Exposure Control Plan is a plan developed by Deerfield to protect its employees from the dangers associated with occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
WHAT IF EXPOSURE OCCURS?
• If skin is exposed, wash area with soap and warm water
• If a mucous membrane is exposed, flush area with copious amounts of water or normal saline solution.
• Notify supervisor immediately, who will help you complete the required paperwork and refer you to the appropriate follow up care.
• Stay calm, MOST people who are exposed don’t develop an infection
WHAT IF EXPOSURE OCCURS?
Employer Responsibility
• Your supervisor and Human Resources will collaborate to ensure completion of required paperwork and referral to appropriate follow up care.
QAPI
OUR FOCUS ON QUALITY
WHAT IS QAPI?
• QAPI stands for QUALITYASSURANCE
PERFORMANCEIMPROVEMENT
• Any staff member can attend a QAPI meeting
• Meetings focus on opportunities for improvement
• If an area of concern is discovered, a Performance Improvement Project (PIP) can be started to analyze the root cause
• You can find annual QAPI goals on the QAPI board located in the Skilled Nursing classroom on the ground floor
• Questions about QAPI? Contact the Deerfield Director of Nursing