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The role of the Infection Control Team is to prevent the spread of infection by sensitizing health service providers to the importance of infection control practices to prevent infection among workers or patients
Preventing transmission of infectionPreventive practice focuses on interrupting thetransmission of an infectious agent and includesfour major elements. Practices will vary accordingto practice setting, the level of care that is beingprovided, and the inherent risk to the client andclient population if transmission occurs.The four major elements to preventive practice are:1. Handwashing. Handwashing is the singlemost-important infection prevention andcontrol practice. It is vital that nurses followhandwashing protocols that are appropriate fortheir clients and facility.2. Protective barriers. Examples of protectivebarriers include gloves, masks, eyewear, gownsand plastic aprons. The appropriate barriershould be used when blood, secretions or bodilyfluids are likely to come in contact with thenurse’s skin or mucous membranes, or couldpenetrate clothing.3. Care of equipment. This involves the appropriatedisposal of waste, contaminated laundry andsharps; and the cleaning, sterilization anddisinfection of equipment, instruments anddevices. Nurses should follow manufacturer andfacility protocols in all instances.4. Health practices of the nurse. Nurses who believethey have been contaminated with an infectiousagent should contact their primary health careprovider or an occupational health departmentfor follow-up and advice. The nurse should assessthe risk of transmitting the infectious agent toothers and take appropriate precautions. Nursesshould also know and review their immunizationstatus with their primary health care provider.
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