An outbreak of infections can lead to a serious health risk especially in environments such as hospitals and healthcare centers. Consequently, it is crucial to try to eliminate the risk as much as possible, in such organizations.
What is infection prevention?
Infection prevention refers to minimizing the spread of infection. Infection prevention and hygienic working in healthcare are basically the same things because infections in healthcare have major consequences for a healthcare institution. Imagine, additional suffering for existing patients, sick leave for most of the staff, the resistance to viruses, and great costs for the organizations.
There are some things that can be corrected in healthcare regarding hygiene. These include wearing the wrong gloves during care procedures or not properly putting on and stretching protective clothing. As a result, there is a high chance of transmission of pathogens, which marks the beginning of an infection.
Infection Prevention Tips for Cleaning Professionals
1. Put gloves on before you start work and take them off when you stop work. Use fresh gloves each time you remove them.
2. Frequent hand wash is very important while also sanitizer before and after going to the restroom, eating or taking off the gloves or mask is crucial. Wear goggles when mixing chemicals or if there is mist or dust in the air.
3. Keep dirty hands away from your eyes, nose, mouth, face, and body.
4. Wear a face mask (particulate respirator N95%) at all times when working and when traveling in congested public spaces. (bus, plane, train, etc.)
5. Do not go to work if you feel unwell (cough, cold, flu, temperature, shortness of breath, runny nose, open wounds). Those who go to work when sick should be sent home and should contact their doctor.
6. Disinfect regularly all high-touch surfaces such as light switches, elevator buttons, handrails, drinking fountains, phones, door push plates and handles, counters, desks, keyboards, etc. The same should be done at home when you travel or use public facilities.
7. Use vacuum cleaners, auto-scrubbers, and carpet extractors that provide filtration.
8. No handshakes or hugging (for now). Use your elbow to greet someone and also technology to contact family and friends.
9. Keep a safe distance from others that are 2 meters (cough and sneeze zone)
10. Don’t let fear get to you, but instead be proactive by reducing risks & taking steps that help prevent cross-infection. Be aware of your surroundings and take action to protect yourself, your family, and the public.
Other Suggestions:
• For high levels of cleaning and disinfection consider the use of an electrostatic spray system for chemical application.
• Do not use brooms or dust mops to remove dust.
• Do not put back used wet mops or cleaning cloths to the same bucket or container.
• Replace cleaning solution, mops, cloths regularly (when they become cloudy, visibly dirty or per policy) to prevent loss of effectiveness and contamination. Some areas require single-use only. Mix chemicals per label instructions and allow specified dwell time (up to 7-10 Min).
• Employers may wish to provide disinfecting wipes for employee equipment such as keyboards, and desktops, etc. and tissue for employees to catch sneezes, etc
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