Infection Control in Hospitals

A full-time employee in charge of infection prevention and control (IPC) in hospitals with fewer than 150 beds. They must be certified/trained or experienced in infection control for at least two years.

At least 2 years of proven experience in infection control.

Hospitals with fewer than 150 beds.

The head of the infection prevention and control department.

The director must have official certification or training in infection control; or suitable experience.

The IPC department provides feedback to healthcare workers on their performance regarding urinary catheter insertion and maintenance.

A specific guideline for infection control focusing on urinary catheter procedures.

Steps taken to address deficiencies identified during IPC audits.

A specialized hospital unit providing critical care services to critically ill patients.

IPC audits and feedback on urinary catheter procedures are ongoing and happen frequently.

A set of tools and guidelines developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to improve hand hygiene practices and reduce healthcare-associated infections.

The goal of the WHO hand hygiene strategy is to enhance the effectiveness of handwashing and handrubbing techniques to prevent the spread of germs.

Infections acquired in a healthcare setting, often due to inadequate hand hygiene.

The proper methods for washing hands with soap and water, including duration and steps.

The correct method for using alcohol-based hand rubs, including the amount of solution and rubbing time.

Operating room areas with different levels of restrictions to minimize contamination, categorized as unrestricted, semi-restricted, and restricted.

The area outside the operating room where street clothes are permitted. Examples include the waiting area, offices, and nursing stations.

An area where surgical attire, including scrubs and hair covers, is required. Some areas include corridors leading to the operating room, procedure rooms, and the supply room.

The innermost area of the OR where only surgical attire, including scrubs, hair covers, masks, shoe covers, and gloves, are permitted. This includes the operating room itself.

Strict protocols and procedures, known as 'traffic patterns,' govern the movement of personnel, equipment, and supplies between OR zones to minimize the risk of infection.

Kitchen staff with certain infections, like respiratory infections, gastroenteritis, diarrhea, hand infections, or wounds are prohibited from handling food.

The infections that prevent kitchen staff from handling food include respiratory infections, gastroenteritis, diarrhea, hand infections, and wounds.

This policy aims to prevent the spread of illness through food by restricting infected kitchen staff from preparing meals.

Kitchen staff with these infections can potentially contaminate food with germs, leading to foodborne illnesses.

This policy highlights the crucial role of personal hygiene and infection control in maintaining food safety.

Specialized cabinets used for procedures that generate aerosols, offering protection for both the user and the environment.

A specific type of biological safety cabinet designed to handle the highest risk biological agents, providing maximum protection.

Medical procedures that produce small airborne particles that can contain infectious agents.

Biological safety cabinets must be checked and certified at least once a year to ensure proper functioning and safety.

BSC's require regular cleaning, testing, and calibration to maintain their effectiveness in preventing contamination.