1. Infection Control Lesson 2:
Universal Precautions and Aseptic Techniques

2. Lesson Objectives
Upon completion of this lesson, students should be able to …
Perform the steps to follow concerning standard precautions.
Define medical asepsis.
Perform the correct procedure for hand washing.

3. History of Precautionary Guidelines
1970 – CDC published a manual of isolation techniques
1985 – Universal precautions developed

4. History of Precautionary Guidelines
1996 – CDC developed standard precautions
1985 and again in 1988 – guidelines for hand hygiene and antisepsis were published

5. History of Precautionary Guidelines
1996 – It was recommended that antimicrobial soap or waterless antiseptic agents be used for hand hygiene when leaving rooms of patients with multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs)

6. Standard precautions combine the major features of universal precautions and body substance isolation precautions into one set of recommendations.

7. Universal Precautions
A method used in infection control that treats all human blood and body fluids as if infected

8. Bloodborne Pathogen Standards
Employees
Must follow universal precautions
consider all body fluids contagious
handle with precaution

9. Standard Precautions: A Summary
apply to:
Blood
All body fluids, for example:
Sputum
Urine
Stool
Non-intact skin
Mucous membranes

10. Critical Thinking Question
Which body fluid does not require the use of standard precautions?

11. Following Standard Precautions
Wear PPE’s
Wear gloves
Change gloves
Wash hands frequently

12. Following Standard Precautions (cont)
Avoid contact with contaminated linens or equipment
Be careful with sharp instruments
Dispose of properly

13. Following Standard Precautions (cont)
Do not recap used needles
Avoid direct mouth-to-mouth resuscitation
Use hazardous waste containers for contaminated material

14. Personal Protective Equipment
PPE includes:
Gloves
Gowns
Masks
Eye protection

15. Hand Sanitizing and Hygiene
the best means of reducing the spread of microorganisms

16. Lab Time Handwashing Check off Page 56 Textbook Workbook Pg 51
Word Parts Section
And
Evaluation of Learning Questions 1-17

17. Hand Sanitizing and Hygiene (cont)
Hand hygiene recommendations include:
Not wearing artificial fingernails
Natural fingernails should be kept short

18. CDC Guidelines for Respiratory Hygiene/Cough Etiquette
Reminder signs about cough hygiene
Perform hand hygiene after coughing
Use a mask as needed
Provide at least three feet of space

19. CDC Safe Injection Practices
Use of aseptic technique
Use of single use items

20. Transmission Based Precautions
Used in addition to standard precautions to further interrupt the spread of pathogens in hospitals

21. Airborne Precautions
Designed to reduce the transmission of TB, measles, or chickenpox
known to be infected that are transmitted via airborne droplet
private room
mask and gown

22. Airborne Precautions Hand washing and gloves
pt will wear a mask during transport
All reusable pt care equipment should be cleaned and disinfected before use on another pt
Disposable items should be used if available

23. Droplet Precautions
Used with organisms spread by droplets during sneezing, coughing, and talking
mask
Gown and gloves

24. Contact Precautions when infections are difficult to treat
Conditions such as intestinal infections, hepatitis, open wounds, respiratory infections
isolating pts, wearing gowns and gloves
mask and eyewear may be worn

25. Latex Sensitivities
ask the patient if there is a history of latex sensitivity

26. Latex Sensitivities (cont)
contact dermatitis, swelling, itching, rhinitis, and may include anaphylaxis

27. Employers Should supply
gloves
Safety needles
Sharps containers
Sinks and running water
Biohazard containers

28. Disposal of Infectious Waste
Line infectious waste container
Discard waste into container
Contain all liquid

29. Disposal of Infectious Waste (cont)
Do not mix infectious trash with everyday trash
Do not put sharps in the bag
Store full bags appropriately

30. Physical and Chemical Barriers
Used to maintain infection control
Prevent:
Nosocomial infections
Health-care associated infection (HAI)

31. Medical Asepsis Medical asepsis
The destruction of organisms after they leave the body.
Surgical asepsis
sterile environment in which organisms are destroyed before entering the body.

32. Medical Asepsis Hygiene Habits
Hand hygiene –first stage of infection control
After using the restroom
Before and after eating
Between patients
Jewelry should be removed
Fingernails should be clean

33. Medical Asepsis Hygiene Habits
Cleaning nondisposable equipment
Using only clean or sterile supplies
Wearing protective clothing
Discarding any item that falls on the floor and cannot be cleaned
Disposing of waste properly

34. Critical Thinking Question
When are you going to use medical asepsis?

35. Medical Asepsis in the Facility
Replacing sharps containers as needed (3/4 full)
Separating well patients from sick patients
Keeping exam rooms clean
Emptying trash cans

37. Hand Hygiene

38. Alcohol-Based Hand Rubs
Alternative to hand washing with water and soap, unless:
Hands are visibly soiled
Professional has used the restroom or eaten

39. Personal Protective Equipment
Gowns, gloves, masks
Use as needed
Be careful when removing PPE

40. Go to Lesson 3 40