Infection Control for Infection Control for Infection Control for Infection Control for

VolunteersVolunteersVolunteersVolunteers

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Session Outline

What is Infection Control?

How are infections spread?

How to minimise the risk of infections.

� Immunisations

� The caregiver

� Handwashing

� Gloves & gowns

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Infection Control

Preventing and managing the spread of

infections

Requires everybody to be involved for it to be

successful

Strategies, policies and procedures to protect

children and carers from infectious diseases

should be in place

Is common sense

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Strategies, Policies & Procedures

are in place for exposure to:

Secretions & excretions

Touching mucous membrane

Non-intact skin

Infectious children – suspected &

confirmed.

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The spread of disease in children

Incomplete immunisation

Close contact with children and caregivers

Partial/ incomplete toilet training

Poor hygiene

Behaviours – mouthing toys

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Prevention and Management

Strategies

By understanding how infections are spread,

interventions can be put in place to reduce

the risk.

Infections are categorised by how they are

spread

CONTACT

DROPLET

AIRBORNE

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The spread of disease

CONTACT

eg. gastroenteritis

chicken pox

DROPLETeg. whooping cough

influenzameasles

chicken pox

AIRBORNE

eg. measles

chicken pox

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How diseases spread

Infected source

Method of transfer

Portal of entry

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Contact Spread

Direct contact

Direct personal contact

with the infectious matter.

Indirect Contact

Contact with a

contaminated object,

surface or piece of

equipment.

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Chicken Pox

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Cold sores

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Droplet Spread

Infectious

microorganisms are

coughed or sneezed

a short distance (~1

meter)

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Meningococcal Disease

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Mumps

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Airborne Spread

Small infectious microorganisms are coughed into the air and are spread further by air currents

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Room signs

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Minimise the Risk -

Protect yourself!

Know own immunisation and infectious

disease history.

Make sure your immunisations are up to date.

Don’t work if you are unwell

Use gloves & gowns appropriately.

Use correct hand washing procedures

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Recommended vaccines

Vaccine Recommended Doses

Diphtheria, Tetanus

& Pertusis

(Boostrix)

If helping in patient areas Once only

Measles/Mumps/

Rubella

If <40years, not had 2

immunisations or disease

2 doses- if no prior vaccination

Hepatitis B Not routinely

recommended for

volunteers

3 doses

Influenza Yearly Yearly

Varicella

(chickenpox)If not had disease.

Can check serology

2 doses

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Illness in volunteers

Do NOT work with:

Diarrhoea &/or vomiting

Influenza

Colds/ coughs

Measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, pertussis,

etc

If unsure – see your doctor

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Hand Hygiene

Single most efficient means to prevent the transmission of infection.

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Indications

Before and after direct child contact

When hands are visibly soiled

After nappy changes & toileting

After contact with equipment/ waste

Before and after glove use

Between contact with different children

Before handling food

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Procedure

Wet hands thoroughly with warm water

Lather all surfaces of hands thoroughly for 15 seconds especially between fingers and around wrist

Rinse carefully under running water

Dry hands thoroughly

Launder towels when damp

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Hand Hygiene

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Gloves

Single use

Worn to protect you, but does not replace

the necessity to hand wash

Should be worn when touching

non intact skin/mucous membrane

blood/body fluids

Should by thrown out after use

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Gowns

Should be worn when

contamination of clothing is

anticipated

Handwash after removal

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Staff attire

No stoned rings

¾ length sleeves

Bare Below the elbows

Machine washable clothes

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The Environment – Toys

Washable toys only

Soft toys & toys that retain water

are not recommended

Wash between children

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