Volunteer Education Session Infection Control/Hand Hygiene CMHA-WECB January 2016

Elements of the Session Infection Control Pandemic Plan All about the Flu Hand Hygiene

Infection Prevention & Control Infection Control Committee: Development of Resource Manual Follows best practice guidelines Raise awareness of the day to day risk of transmission of infection Provide procedures and tools to minimize risk Meets Accreditation Standards

Community Associated MRSA Methicillin Resistant Staph Aureus One of the “super bugs” Can be carried without any symptoms – called “colonization” Associated with hospital stays but is now being found in the community Best protection “HAND WASHING”

Pandemic Plan What is a Pandemic? A global outbreak A new strain of flu virus The population has little or no immunity Infection spreads easily from person to person through droplets, direct or indirect contact 30 – 50% of the population will get sick No vaccines available

How can I protect myself from the flu? Get an annual flu shot Myth 1: I didn’t get a flu shot last year and I didn’t get sick Myth 2: Getting a flu shot will give me the flu Myth 3: The flu is just a bad cold What is most important is to prevent getting the flu and preventing the spread of flu.

How can I protect myself from the flu? Hand Hygiene Wash hands frequently ***** Wash often and thoroughly Wash hands at least 5 times a day Follow procedure (We will review)

How can I protect myself and others from the flu? Cover coughs and sneezes Cover mouth and nose with tissue Discard tissue immediately and wash your hands No tissue? – cough into your sleeve – not into your hands

How can I protect myself and others from the flu? Keep surface areas clean Alcohol wipes for computers and phones General housekeeping Social Distancing – 1 metre Don’t shake hands?

How can I protect myself and others from the flu? If you get sick, stay home for at least 5 days after symptoms begin!

When should I stay home? If you experience: Sudden onset of: Extreme fatigue New or worsening cough Fever Muscle aches and pains Shortness of breath

“Hand Hygiene is the SINGLE most important practice to preventing infections” Rotter ML 1997

HAND WASHING Mom always told you to “Wash your hands” The best defense against getting or spreading infection is hand washing ! Soap and Water Alcohol Sanitizers

Compliance with hand hygiene? Distribution of factors associated with non-compliance with hand hygiene Source: Pittet D, Boyce JM LANCET Infect Dis 2001

When should I wash my hands? 95% of people say they wash their hands after using the bathroom 67% really do – about ½ do it correctly Wash before: Preparing food or eating Inserting or removing contact lenses Treating a patient/client

When should I wash my hands? Wash after: Using the bathroom Handling uncooked meat Changing a diaper Blowing your nose or coughing Handling garbage Taking care of the sick Handling an animal or animal waste

11 Basic Steps

Are alcohol-based handrubs really effective? More than 20 published studies have shown that alcohol-based handrubs are more effective than either plain soap or antibacterial soaps in reducing the number of live bacteria on the hands.

Cleaning with Alcohol Sanitizers

Hand Washing Sing Row, Row, Row Your Boat How do you know how long to wash? Sing Row, Row, Row Your Boat

Forgot the Words? Gently down the stream Row, row, row your boat Gently down the stream Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily Life is but a dream

GET YOUR FLU VACCINATION! Family Doctor Any pharmacist No appointment, no waiting!

Any Questions?