Importance of Hand Washing in Infection Control - 3 Points

By Greg Garner

Any health care environment big or small poses an ever present risk of infection often referred to as hospital acquired infection (HAI). And even an otherwise simple ailment can get serious in such a set up. That is why infection control is an integral part of a health care facility. It adopts a combination of measures like surveillance, investigation, management and also the use of practices including wearing the proper gear, maintaining cleanliness, disinfection and safe disposal. All these steps help to prevent the spread of infection, and contain it when necessary.

However there is another infection control measure that is always stressed on and finds place in any kind of instruction to effectively reduce the chances of an infection breakout; that measure is hand washing.

The following 3 points will tell you more about this extremely vital safety measure.

1. When to Use Hand Washing procedures

• Ideally you must wash your hands before any treatment but especially when conducting an invasive medical procedure like surgery or use of any invasive equipment. Furthermore hands must be washed before treating patients who are particularly vulnerable to any infection due to their medical condition or even when dealing with newborns. Finally hygiene must be maintained when attending to any wound that has resulted in broken skin, which makes for an easy entry point for infections.

• Besides this hands must be washed thoroughly after any procedure in which you have made contact with blood, any kind of bodily fluids, mucus membrane and also any contaminated instruments, surfaces and materials like gauze. While you must wash your hands between attending to different patients soon after you remove the gloves, you may also be required to wash hands when performing different procedures on the same patient to avoid issues of cross-contamination.

2. Using Effective Cleaning Agents

• Using plain soap in any of the available forms like liquid and bar, and then rubbing your hands vigorously to form lather helps to loosen and suspend any dangerous micro-organisms which can then be rinsed under running water. However remember that the bar should be kept on racks that allow it to dry off and the liquids must be replaced entirely without adding new liquid to the older one.

• Using an antimicrobial cleaning agent on the other hand not only kills any harmful organisms but also prevents their growth. This kind of 'chemical' hand washing must be employed when working with high risk patients or in such units.

3. Ample Hand Washing Facilities

• It is very important for every health care facility to have sufficient hand washing facilities complete with soap and running water set up at convenient locations. Such facilities must also be available adjoining rooms that perform invasive procedures or diagnostics.

Today there are several modern personal equipments and cleaning and disposal systems available to assist in infection control. However a simple procedure like hand washing still remains extremely vital and is in fact one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of infection, and thus must be followed at all times without fail.

For more information, please visit our infection control website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Greg_Garner

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5 Ways in Which Environmental Management Can Help in Infection Control

By Greg Garner

Nosocomial infections are those that typically manifest themselves in a hospital setup. Such kinds of infection can spread in many different ways. That is where infection control comes in which is responsible to put in place various procedures and safeguards to minimize the risk of spreading diseases. Such controls have to work on several fronts, and though in the center of it all are patients, environmental management too is important.

The 5 ways mentioned below revolve around managing the hospital environment to check infection.

• Proper Ventilation: Suitable ventilation systems are of utmost importance whether it is a general area or a surgery room. The higher risk areas of a facility for transplants, operation and critical care must have filtration units for providing clean or ultra air depending on the room and the criticality of the procedures involved. If the patients' room or any general area is air-conditioned then the filters must be cleaned regularly. If instead of air-conditioning there are fans then its flow should be directed towards the nearest window and never towards other rooms or corridors. Also the use of fans must be avoided where the risk of airborne pathogens is high. A hospital's ventilation should be such that reduces the possibility of contamination and all the systems must be checked and maintained on a regular basis by the relevant personnel.

• Safe Water: Drinking water must be boiled or dispensed through purifiers. Also the dispensers for storing water must be completely sealed off against any kind of contact with hands or other materials, also the glasses must be disposable. In addition the tanks containing water for washing should be cleaned and monitored to keep any kind of contamination at bay.

• Maintaining Cleanliness: Cleanliness of the hospital is a fairly basic but important measure for infection control. While administrative sections of the facility can be cleaned like your house, the areas consisting of patients should be cleaned not by sweeping but with a mop soaked in a solution of hot water and detergent. A disinfectant may be added for certain specialized areas. Also any spills of body or fluids must be cleaned off immediately.

• Managing Waste: Waste generated by the hospital can literally be a reservoir for infection and must be handled accordingly. Such waste must be carefully segregated and stored in the proper container or bags which should be suitably marked. Their storage areas must have sufficient warning signs too. From here the waste can be sent to the incinerator and transported as per the requirements. Also remember that the personnel handling such waste must wear protective gear at all times.

• Laundry Services: Used laundry must be deposited in bags marked for the purpose, especially those that are contaminated by body fluids. Such laundry must be carefully transported with minimum agitation and ideally washed in washers with detergent and water at high temperatures, and then dried off in heavy duty driers.

A proper management of various environmental factors can be very effective for infection control in a health care facility.

For more information, please visit our infection control website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Greg_Garner

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7 Factors That Can Increase Your Risk For Developing Fungal Infection of the Feet and Nails

By Lorinne Yen

Fungal infection of the feet and nails may start as yellow or white spots. Without treatment, the nail fungus can spread and may lead to nail thickening and discoloration.

Typically, foot and nail fungus is caused by fungi called dermatophytes such as Candida. The fungal infection enters the skin though tiny cuts in the skin or nail bed. In a warm and moist environment, the fungi can thrive and easily spread to adjacent areas.

Below are 7 risk factors that increase your risk for fungal infection of the feet and nails:

1. Unfortunately, it was observed that people with a family history of fungal nail infections are more prone to have the infection. Therefore, genetics plays a major role in the risk of developing the condition.

2. It is estimated that around 30 percent of people with diabetes have fungal nail infections. Thus, diabetes increases the risk of having feet fungus. Likewise, people with a weak immune system are more at risk.

3. People with psoriasis are also more at risk of having fungus nails. Psoriasis is a skin condition characterized by having thick, red skin, and scaly patches. Psoriasis and fungal infection can affect the feet at the same time.

4. If you wear tight shoes or footwear that crowds your toes, then this increases your chances of having fungal feet. Tight fitting shoes trap moisture or sweat and encourage the growth of fungi. Closed shoes do not let in any airflow. Wearing socks that do not absorb perspiration well also puts you at risk of having nail fungus.

5. Having damaged nails or cut in the skin can also increase the chances of contacting fungal infection of the feet and nails.

6. Walking barefoot in public places particularly gyms, shower rooms, and swimming pools puts you at risk of getting the infection.

7. If you perspire heavily or have hyperhidrosis, then you have increased risk for fungus feet. Fungi flourish in wet and warm environments.

It can be a challenge to treat foot and nail fungus. Treatment includes antifungal creams, ointments and oral antifungal medications. However, it can still take many weeks to months before improvement can be noted.

To help prevent infections, practice good hygiene. Wear good fitting footwear with adequate ventilation, keep your feet dry, use antifungal powder, and wash your feet regularly.

Terpenoids from plant extracts have been used widely for their aromatic, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. One of the well known plant terpenoids is tea tree oil, derived from the leaves of the tea tree. It is used in many products and may be used as an adjunct in feet and nail fungus treatment.

Neutrea soap has an organic proprietary blend of tea tree oil and other essential oils to be used as an adjunct for the treatment of fungal feet and nails at http://www.drlamlabs.com/neutrea-soap.php

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lorinne_Yen

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