Handwashing

Aims to prevent spread of infection Before every patient If visible dirt Alcohol gel
if hands look clean

Soap and water

if hands look dirty before doing procedure

Paper waste
Waste not infected with blood or body fluids Can be disposed of with normal household rubbish Confidential waste should be shredded or burned

Clinical waste
= contaminated with blood or body fluids disposed of separately hospitals incinerate ideally burn or bury whilst supervised

Sharps disposal
= needles, broken glass or disposable blades >risks penetrating injury transmission of blood borne viruses >you are responsible for your own sharps designated container disposal very difficult in low resource settings bury or incinerate

Sterile Technique
required for any invasive procedure
e.g. suturing, incision and drainage

wash hands with surgical scrub dry hands on sterile, disposable towel use sterile gloves sterile field
iodine; sterile, disposable drapes

+- sterile gown / mask

Sterilisation of equipment
Disposable equipment should only be used once
e.g. needles, plastic syringes

Surgical instruments may be reusable Adequate sterilisation requires high temperature for a period of time
e.g. autoclave

Universal precautions
Gloves for contact with blood or body fluids Respiratory mask if risk of airborne spread
e.g. tuberculosis

Goggles and mask if risk of splashes

e.g. dentistry, surgery

Immediately clean and disinfect contaminated areas

e.g. blood, vomit, stool