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7 STRATEGIES FOR INFECTION PREVENTION & CONTROL

(1) HAND HYGIENE: ​Hand washing should be the cornerstone of reducing Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs). This is the simplest approach to preventing the spread of infections and needs to be incorporated into the culture of the organization. Wash hands with warm water and soap vigorously for at least 20 seconds. Also, all staff members and visitors in the facility should be encouraged to wash their hands before drinking, eating, providing care and between caring for patients.

(2) USE GLOVES: Health care professionals may not always wear gloves when interacting with patients. But, if any contact with blood or bodily fluids is possible, such as when changing sheets or emptying trash, gloves should be worn.

(3) DISINFECT AND KEEP SURFACES CLEAN: Between patients, every room in a facility should be cleaned thoroughly with a US EPA approved healthcare grade disinfectant. This helps to prevent accidental transmission of infections as new patients are admitted. Furthermore, non-patient areas, such as the breakroom and nurses’ station should be cleaned daily.

(4) USE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT: Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gowns, gloves, masks and face shields, should be readily available to staff for usage.

(5) PROVIDE INFECTION CONTROL EDUCATION: Staff members need to know how to identify common infections and help prevent their spread. In addition, your organization should provide continued, recurring education on infection control. This includes training on bloodborne pathogen and droplet-borne infections.

(6) DEVELOP AN INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL POLICY: The facility must establish and maintain an Infection Control Program designed to provide a safe, sanitary and comfortable environment and to help prevent the development and transmission of disease and infection.

(7) ANTIBIOTIC STEWARDSHIP: The misuse and overuse of antibiotics can put patients at a risk of contracting infections. Inappropriate antibiotic use may also result in patients becoming resistant to some drugs. If those patients contract an infection, it becomes harder to treat them and the risk of it spreading increases. You can get to the root of infections with AMT's comprehensive infection management program, which utilizes rapid molecular diagnostic testing to quickly identify over 90% of the pathogens that cause two of the most common and life-threatening infections in long-term care, i.e. respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. To learn more, call (800) 232-9266 or visit our infection management page.

Each of these strategies can help your healthcare facility keep the spread of infections at bay. When implemented in unison, these 7 strategies can be instrumental in ensuring the success of an infection prevention program in your facility.

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