Infection Control in Aged Care
Residents of aged care facilities are some of the most vulnerable individuals in our society. Given the current global situation, it is therefore important now more than ever that they are protected the best way possible. One way of managing this is by preventing infections from spreading throughout the facilities. Preventative measures for controlling infections include hand hygiene, PPE, and the safe handing and disposal of sharps.
Maintaining Hand Hygiene:
Assisting others generally requires the use of hands. This then becomes an excellent way for pathogens to be transmitted. Reducing the spread of germs is as simple as regularly washing your hands with warm water and soap. Another effective way, and one recommended to those working in a healthcare setting, is the use of alcohol-based sanitisers. Wearing gloves is yet another way healthcare workers are able to maintain good hand hygiene.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
Donning and doffing the appropriate masks, face shields, and gloves while working with the elderly protects all parties. It is important to wear, dispose, and replace of these type of personal protective equipment after certain activities where pathogens can easily be transmitted. The use of PPE is vital as it decreases the risk of harm to the safety and health of workers and residents alike.
Disposal of Sharps:
Any waste that may arise throughout a health worker’s shift must be correctly disposed of in a yellow container clearly marked Clinical Waste. More specifically, waste such as used needle sticks should be properly put into a medical sharps container aptly labelled Sharp.
Other preventative measures of spreading infections relate to respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette or environmental controls such as spills management or appropriate waste and linen handling.
All of these, and so much more, are ways highly recommended to all healthcare workers as away of maintaining infection control while working with our most vulnerable individuals.
