Student

name…………………………………………………………………………
………………………Date………………………………………

Lect Infection Control

ure
6
Q1. Discuss the HSE's Infection Control Action Plan- explain why
healthcare workers are at more risk of infection.
(300 words max)

The HSE’s Infection Control Action Plan (ICAP) was set

out reduce the potential for infections to pass between
people when in health care settings and to reduce and
alter the community’s use of antibiotics. The plan sets
out 6 areas of key focus which are to be taken into
action across the healthcare system. These are
education, standards, specific hospital targets,
antibiotics, facilities and local management. The
overall targets of the HSE with regards to this action
plan are to

1. To reduce Health Care Associated Infections by 20%;

2. To reduce MRSA infections by 30%; and
3. To reduce antibiotic consumption by 20%.

Healthcare workers run a far greater risk of catching

infection than others. Bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites
and prions are all serious infectious agents which pose
a risk to healthcare workers. There are various ways in
which infection can be spread. There is contact
transmission which can be direct or indirect contact,
droplet which is sneezing, coughing, talking etc.,
airborne, vehicle which is through blood or food and
finally vector which is biological and mechanical.

The reason why healthcare workers are at such a risk

of infection is because of where they work, what they
work with and who they work with. The environment
first of all is full of sick people, the workers are in close
contact with these patients and there is a lot of people
coming in and out of the hospital. This means more
infectious agents, easier transmission and more
exposure. The therapeutic procedures which are
undergone in the hospital also pose a threat. The
handling of blood, body fluids, contaminated waste, IV
lines, drains, catheters etc all pose a serious threat.
Then there is invasive procedures such as surgical and
needle stick injuries and suctioning which also pose a
threat. Any invasive surgery involving blood or mucous
membranes needs to be done safely as there can be a
risk of blood borne viruses such as HIV and Hepatitis B
and C.

References

Lecture 7 notes for Intro to Healthcare

http://www.hse.ie/eng/staff/FactFile/FactFile_PDFs/Othe
r_FactFile_PDFs/No_to_Infection.pdf
DUE 26.11.09 BY 3PM