Standard Precautions of Infection Control PDF

# Standard Precautions of Infection Control ## Contents - Personal Protective Equipment PPE - Protective Clothing - Masks - Eye protection - Gloves - Latex allergy ## What are PPE? PPE are special coverings designed to protect dental health care personnel (DHCP) from exposure to...

# Standard Precautions of Infection Control ## Contents - Personal Protective Equipment PPE - Protective Clothing - Masks - Eye protection - Gloves - Latex allergy ## What are PPE? PPE are special coverings designed to protect dental health care personnel (DHCP) from exposure to or contact with infectious agents and also prevent microorganisms from spreading from DHCP to patients. PPE include: - Protective clothing - gown (reusable or washable, disposable) - lab coat - scrubs ## Protective Clothing Protective clothing should be worn while treating patients whenever splatter or aerosols are likely to be generated. The concept of wearing protective clothes is that street clothes worn underneath do not become contaminated with material from patient treatment, and then transfer that contamination beyond the dental clinic environment. Items of protective clothing worn during non-surgical dental procedures must be changed as soon as possible when they become visibly soiled or after repeated exposure to contaminated aerosols (i.e., at the end of the session or the end of the working day). - Protective coats or gowns that have been worn in the clinical area must be removed before taking a meal break or leaving the practice. - Protective clothes should be worn over uniform scrubs. - Disposable or reusable gowns of short-sleeved can be used for non-surgical routine dental care. - Long-sleeved gowns are used for surgical dental procedures. ## Gloves Disposable gloves provide an essential layer of protection to separate HCW's skin from contact with patient fluids and also protect against nailbed infections caused by bacteria/viruses, and fungi (i.e., whitlow). Wearing gloves does not replace the need for hand hygiene. Hand hygiene should be performed before gloving and after de-gloving. - Dental practitioners and clinical support staff must wear gloves for all clinical procedures and whenever there is a risk of exposure to blood, saliva, or other body secretions, as well as when the hands will come in contact with mucous membranes or contaminated objects. - Gloves reduce exposure to the many hazardous substances used in everyday clinical dental practice, including strong acids, strong alkalis, organic monomers of various types, and solvents such as acetone and ethanol. ## Facts To Know About Gloves - Wash your hands before putting on sterile gloves. - Make sure gloves are fit properly to wear them comfortably during all patient care activities. - If the HCW or the patient is allergic to the natural rubber latex (manufacturers identify on the package labeling the materials used to make the gloves) choose gloves made from other synthetic materials. - Be aware that sharp objects can puncture medicalgloves. - Always change gloves if they tear. - After removing gloves, wash hands thoroughly with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub. - Never reuse medical gloves. - Never wash or disinfect medical gloves. - Never share medical gloves with other users.