Infection Control, Work Health and Safety - Assignment Example

INFECTION CONTROL, WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY due: Difference between the WHS Act, WHS Regulation and Codes of Practice Even though the WHS act, WHS regulation and codes of practice share a similar goal, there exist major differences in their functions. The WHS Act is established on work health and safety responsibilities. The WHS regulations develop on the requirements of WHS act. It has information on how parts of the act are practiced. It also offers information on directions on how to meet specified obligations. Regulations are lawfully enforceable. The codes of practice offer provide support on how to attain required standards of health and safety relating to an industry, trade or line of duty. Codes of practice provide comprehensive information about sections of acts or regulations. It also gives an outline of actions, activities, responsibilities, responses and technical requirements to conditions and measures to be observed within a work place. Therefore, the WHS regulation and codes of practice support activities of the WHS Act. Similarly, the codes of practice support activities of the WHS regulations. Chain model of infection Pertussis Pertussis is caused by a bacterial microorganism Bordetella pertussis and uses the human body as a reservoir. The bacteria breeds in the respiratory system hence pertussis mostly affects the respiratory tract causing heavy coughing and sneezing to patients. Pertussis spreads through the droplet mode of transmission. Acute gastroenteritis It is caused by viral micro-organisms referred to as rotavirus, Norovirus or Astrovirus. The human body is responsible for providing reservoirs for the viruses. The condition’s portal of exit is through the human gastrointestinal tract and leaves the body through faeces. Acute gastroenteritis spreads via vector transmission. Hepatitis B Hepatitis B is caused by viral micro-organisms referred to as hepadnavirus. The human body provides a reservoir for the survival of the viruses. Microorganisms that cause Hepatitis B reside in the urinary tract and can be caused by pathogens. This condition spreads through direct contact to people with the virus. For example, transmission can be through sexual intercourse. Routine hand washing procedure Hand washing is the most essential and basic method used to prevent the multiplication of infections. To perform the task successfully, one needs to assemble the following tools: Plain pH neutral soap Disposable paper towel Water source In order to achieve successful desirable results in hand washing, I adhered to the following procedures: 1. Assembled plain pH neutral soap, a disposable paper towel and made sure that I had access to enough running water. 2. Folded shirt sleeves and removed gloves to expose and provide access to all skin surfaces 3. Using running water, I dumped both of my hands thoroughly 4. I poured soap all over my hands 5. Energetically, I rubbed my hands together for 15 seconds using the following procedure The right palm over left and left over right Palms together with fingers interlaced Back to opposing fingers interlocked Rotational rubbing of the right thumb clipped in the right palm and vice versa Upwards and backwards rotational rubbing with finger tips and left hand thumb in right direction and vice versa 6. Then, I rinsed my hands with running water, still rubbing them together methodically 7. Lastly, I used paper towel to pat dry my hands. Managing Spills When conducting clinical therapies, health workers are required to practice set procedures when dealing with spills. It is also necessary to note that spills should be cleaned immediately, and the area disinfected to prevent multiplication of infections. In clinical settings, most spills include body fluids or ought to be treated before disinfection and correct waste disposal techniques applied (WHS Act qtd. in Safe Practices Learning Guide 2012: 21). In managing spills, health workers should observe standard precautions and use personal protective materials. Let us briefly look at how spills encountered in clinical therapies can be managed efficiently. Case 1 Spill: Sputum Location: Male Ward Surface: Tiled floor Degree of risk: HIGH Equipment for the task: Disposable absorbent material, gloves, leak proof bag, neutral detergent, disinfectant, water, and a rug. Person Informed: Attending Doctor through the daily nursing assessment sheets. Documentation: Nursing assessment notes. Case 2 Spill: Laboratory culture Location: Central corridor Surface: Tiled floor Degree of risk: HIGH Equipment for the task: Disposable absorbent material, gloves, yellow waste bag or container with a bio-hazard symbol printed on the bag or container, neutral detergent, disinfectant, water, and a rug. Person Informed: Laboratory Technician on duty. Documentation: Laboratory check lists. Clinical Protocols Operating Room Preparation Protocols In preparation for a patient, health care providers MUST make sure that: 1. The room is clean, tables wiped and patient’s bed properly made 2. The room has adequate lighting and ventilation 3. The room provides space for privacy. Should have curtained windows and lockable doors for patient’s privacy 4. All equipments needed to perform a medical procedure is available 5. Waste disposable materials are available for proper waste disposal techniques 6. Equipments to be used are reachable, in good condition and most important, sterilized 7. Supporting staff i.e. nurses are standby to deal with any emerging issues. Blood and Body Fluid Management Protocols 1. Wear Protective clothing to protect eyes, mouth and nose from splashes of body fluids or blood. 2. Clear population from the risk area 3. Clean body fluids using disposable paper towels 4. Wash infected areas with detergent and disinfection 5. Document and notify correct persons about risks immediately In case of contact to blood or other body fluids, make sure that immediately: 1. The exposed area is thoroughly washed with mild soap and water 2. Contaminated clothing is removed and shower taken if necessary 3. Appropriate people are informed about the exposure for further actions to be taken Protocols to be followed when cleaning the Clinic 1. Cleaning of Corridors, waiting and consultation rooms to be done twice a day 2. Clean all air conditioning systems and filters 3. Clean floors with vacuum cleaners 4. Clean and wipe dry all working surfaces after every session 5. Wash all cleaning containers with warm water and detergent and dry them 6. Clean all rags and mops with detergent and warm water. Make sure they are hanged to dry 7. Clean toilets, baths tubs and shower cubicles at least 2 times a day if needed. 8. Clean walls, windows and window curtains regularly An Office Risk Assessment Company Name: Rob mart Cleaners Date of Assessment: 26/2/14 Hazards Exposure to Risks Management Protocol Findings Loose electric cables Members of staff may get injuries resulting from tripping on cables Members of staff are exposed to shock from poorly placed electric cables Fixing of all loose cables Action taken by: Manager By when: 7.3.14 Working at elevated distances (Window cleaning) Members of staff are exposed to falls from elevated heights leading to fractures, bruising and death in severe cases. Provision of necessary equipments. Regular examination of necessary machines Members of staff to be trained on how to use certain machines professionally. Action to be taken by: Human resource manager By when: 15.3.14 Electrical cleaning equipments The facility may be exposed to fires Members of staff are exposed to shocks and burns. Members of staff to be trained on electrical safety and the use of equipment visual checks. Faulty equipments replaced and repaired where necessary. Frequent electric equipment checks Action to be taken by: Human resource manager By when: 15.3.14 Work Health and Safety As regards Richards’s case, first, I would seek to identify the hazard. This would involve developing a critical analysis of the chores to find out the potential of the equipment to causing harm (WHS Act qtd. in Safe Practice Learning Guide 2012: 45). I would report this information to the human resource manager as they are the ones concerned with the welfare of workers in an organization. In this case, the hazards are the old and outdated methods of manual handling that Richard uses in performing his cleaning duties in the clinic. A risk is the probability to suffer injuries, sicknesses or any damage due to exposure to hazards (WHS Act qtd. in Safe Practices Learning Guide 2012: 45). The major risks associated with the situation are the exposure to injuries, illnesses and damage. In this case, Richard, who is the worker, may be exposed to all mentioned risks. Bibliography Safe Practices. 2012. Learning Guide on Infection Control. Australia: Nature Care College. Read More