Basic Infection Control

for
Nursing Attendants
 Objectives:
Within one-hour of lecture, the participants will
be able to:
1. Recall on the basic concepts of infection
control
2. Relate the infection control practices to
various nursing procedures that is applicable
to scope
3. Utilize and execute proper infection control
practices when providing care to patients
 Remember!
• Ultimate goal is to break the
chain of
infection and spread of infection!
How to prevent
infections?
 Aseptic Control
• Antisepsis- methods that slows or prevents
the growth of pathogenic microorganisms
excluding viruses and spores.
• May be applied on skin.
 Aseptic Control
• Disinfection- terminates present pathogenic
microorganisms. May be not effective for
spores and viruses.
• Chemicals are used to disinfect things or
items.
• Sterilization- all microorganisms are destroyed
including spores and viruses.
• Methods may include: steam under pressure,
gas, radiation, and chemicals
• Not used for skin.
• Medical Asepsis- Preventing the spread of
microorganisms.

• Clean Technique- methods that stop the

spread or terminate the spread of
microorganism from one place or person or
vice versa.
 Care Point

“Always clean from the least soiled to the most

soiled”
 Aseptic Technique
Includes:
1. Hand hygiene (e.g. hand washing)
2. Physically neat and clean
3. Appropriate handling and care for equipment
4. Utilizing appropriate sterile procedure when
applicable
5. Using proper cleaning solution
6. Adherence to standard precautions
 Reminders!
1. Perform hand washing/ Hand Hygiene.
Practice Five moments of Hand Hygiene
Nurse Aide Nails
• Short; ¼ inch
• Clean
• Smooth
• No artificial nails, no extenders, no overlays.
It promotes the growth of microorganisms
2. Come to work clean, neat and well. Practice
good grooming habits.
3. Proper handling of equipment
- For multiple use equipment (e.g.
stethoscope, BP cuff) must be cleaned and
disinfected after use or when soiled.
 Care for supplies and equipment
• Cleaning non-disposable equipment
 Rinse in cold water to remove organic
material
 Wash with soap and hot water
 Scrub with a brush if necessary
 Rinse and dry equipment
 Sterilize or disinfect equipment
 Care for supplies and equipment
• Direct cleaning away from your body and
uniform
• Wash eating utensils with soap and water
after each use.
• Do not transport equipment from one patient
to another without cleaning.
• Avoid shaking linen and do damp dusting of
furniture.
4. Use proper cleaning solutions.
5. Ensure that sterile procedures are not prone
to contamination.
6. Practice standard precautions.
 Standard Precautions
-Be vigilant in watching out for sharps and needles
on the patient’s bed or bedside.

-Properly dispose needles and sharps

-When pouring contaminated liquids into sinks or

toilets, do not splash.

-If needle stick injuries happen, coordinate with

Infection Control Unit. Screening for potential blood
borne infections (such as HIV, Hep B)
 Transmission-based
Precautions
CONTACT
PRECAUTIONS
• Draining wounds
• Diarrhea of unknown origin
• C. difficile (soap and water hand
hygiene required)
• MRSA/ESBL

• Gown and gloves required upon

entrance to room AND
• Other PPE as required by Standard
Precautions
 Transmission-based
Precautions
DROPLET
PRECAUTIONS
• Coughing, sneezing
• Influenza
• Meningococcal meningitis

• Mask w/ eye shield required when

entering room AND
• Other PPE as required by Standard
Precautions
 Transmission-based
Precautions
AIRBORNE
PRECAUTIONS
• Chickenpox
• Disseminated Varicella
(Herpes) zoster
• M. tuberculosis (TB), suspected
or confirmed
• Negative pressure room
required, door closed

• Fit tested n-95 respirator or

PAPR required to enter room
AND
• Other PPE as required by
Standard Precautions
 Standard Precaution for Linens
• For processing soiled/ used linens,
make sure that:
hold away linens from uniform
 prevent exposure and contamination of skin
membranes/mucous
prevents transfer of microorganism from one
patient to another, including the environment
 Transporting infectious
patients
• Don appropriate protective barriers
• Notify handling personnel upon and arrival
of patients in the concerned unit.
• Inform patients on how to prevent
transmission of infection.
 Source:
Nurse Aide Workplace Fundamentals
https://www.abss.k12.nc.us/
Thank you for
listening!