DSHS – Stopping the Spread of Infection and Disease
As a LTC worker, you must protect a client and yourself from the spread of disease and infection. Clients who are frail, elderly, or have weakened immune systems may catch infections more easily. For them, infections can lead to serious or lifethreatening problems.
Germs are organisms that cause infection by entering the body and growing. Germs are spread from one person to another. Infection control stop harmful germs from entering the body.
Stop germs before they enter the body or have time to spread.
To control the spread of infection:
- Wash your hands.
- Use disposable gloves and other personal protective equipment (PPE) when necessary (standard precautions).
- Clean and disinfect to kill germs before they can cause harm.
- Safely get rid of contaminated waste.
Wash Your Hands
Hand washing is the best defense against spreading infection. You will wash your hands several times a day. Always wash your hands: Before
- Contact with a client
- Eating
- Preparing food
- Putting on gloves
After Contact with:
- a client
- body fluids
- contaminated items
- pets
- Using the restroom
- Removing gloves or protective clothing
- Blowing your nose, sneezing, coughing
- Cleaning
- Smoking
Washing your hands with soap and water is the best way to prevent illness.
Gloves must be worn when you:
- Have direct skin contact with blood, body fluids, or another person’s mucous membranes.
- Handle things contaminated with germs such as tissues, disposable underwear, or soiled clothing or linens.
- Have contact with a client that has an open wound.
- Clean-up body fluids.
- Assist a client with toileting or other personal care tasks.
- Have a cut, scrape, or chapped hands, or dermatitis.
Disposable gloves help control infection
- Learn how to put on and take off gloves correctly.
- Make sure gloves are easy to find when you need them.
- Never reuse gloves.
- Put on new gloves each time