#16 Infection Prevention & Control: 12 Common Sources of Infection In Hospitals
Sharpsmart UK
Partnering with clinical staff within the four walls of healthcare to provide safe, sustainable clinical waste solutions
How many common sources of infection in hospitals can you think of?
We've created a non-exhaustive list of the most common sources of infection in hospitals to be aware of to help you minimise transmission risks.
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Welcome to Issue #16 of Waste Matters – our theme for this month is Infection Prevention and Control.
What’s in this issue?
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Before getting stuck in, please consider joining our Network for Healthcare Heroes – our monthly provision of relevant up-to-date information, free resources, and guidance on all things healthcare waste.
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The truth about hospitals is that there are MANY sources of infection, but when all healthcare workers are on the same page and follow best practices, transmission risks can be minimised. To help in that regard, we've created a non-exhaustive list of the most common sources of infection in hospitals to be aware of.
By familiarising yourself with these, you'll be better equipped to identify poor practices that may lead to the spread of infection. Our goal is to empower you with knowledge, enabling you to spot potential risks and take proactive steps to maintain a safer healthcare environment.
#1 Poor Hand Hygiene
Healthcare workers' hands have the potential to be one of the biggest sources of infection in hospitals, acting as carriers of infections when proper hand hygiene practices aren't followed. Regular handwashing with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand sanitisers is crucial in preventing the spread of infections via hands.
#2 Not Cleaning Hospital Surfaces
Beyond inadequate hand hygiene, there are plenty of other poor practices that may lead to the spread of infection. For example, frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs, bed rails, and countertops can become hotspots for harbouring pathogens. Insufficient cleaning and disinfection of contaminated surfaces can lead to the persistence and spread of those pathogens. Regularly disinfect high-touch surfaces to reduce the risk of transmission.
#3 Contaminated Medical Instruments
Improperly sterilised or cleaned medical instruments can harbour harmful pathogens, posing a significant risk to patients during procedures. Ensure strict sterilisation and decontamination protocols are followed where appropriate and the adoption of single-use instruments when necessary.
#4 Inadequate Waste Management
Improper handling and disposal of clinical waste, including incorrect segregation of infectious waste, can contribute to the spread of infections in healthcare settings. Educate staff on the correct and safe management of all healthcare waste.
#5 Not Wearing Sufficient Protective Equipment
Airborne pathogens such as viruses and bacteria can spread through the air in healthcare facilities, especially in areas like isolation rooms or during certain medical procedures. Always wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when necessary to protect yourself and others.
#6 Contaminated Food
Foodborne illnesses can spread in healthcare settings if food safety measures are inadequate or aren't followed. Ensure proper storage, handling, and preparation of food at all times to protect patients and staff.
#7 Antibiotic-Resistant Pathogens
The misuse or overuse of antibiotics can lead to the emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, posing a serious threat to patient safety and causing serious infections. Always prescribe antibiotics judiciously and implement antimicrobial stewardship programs.
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#8 Improperly Maintained Water Systems
Improperly maintained water systems, such as cooling towers and plumbing, can harbour legionella bacteria, leading to the potential for infections like legionnaires' disease. Regular maintenance and monitoring of water quality are essential preventive measures.
#9 Poor Patient Isolation Practices
Failing to isolate patients with infectious diseases appropriately can lead to the transmission of pathogens within the hospital setting. Follow isolation protocols diligently to prevent outbreaks.
#10 Visitors Not Adhering to Infection Control Guidelines
Visitors who are unaware of proper hygiene practices can inadvertently introduce pathogens into the hospital and potentially transmit infections to patients. Encourage visitors to adhere to infection control guidelines.
#11 Lack of Proper Training
Inadequate training of healthcare workers in infection prevention and control measures can increase the risk of transmission within the hospital. Regularly update staff with relevant training and guidelines.
#12 Improper Handling of Sharps
Improper disposal or handling of sharps can lead to injuries among healthcare workers and patients, increasing the risk of infections and exposure to bloodborne pathogens. To prevent injuries and reduce infection risk, introduce safety-engineered devices such as ISO-compliant reusable sharps containers.
If you’d like to learn more about pathogens, common infections and bacterial infections in hospitals and how you can choose waste management that minimises infection risk, see our recently updated blog – Identifying Common Sources of Infection in Hospitals
How are Sharpsmart Reusable Sharps Containers Cleaned?
Our Sharpsmart reusables are an effective clinically proven method for minimising infection risks and making healthcare safer, but you may have wondered how they are cleaned…
Hear from medical microbiologist, speaker, and researcher on sharps injury prevention Terry Grimmond. In this video, Terry provides an overview of how Sharpsmart's reusable containers are cleaned and sanitised to achieve high-level disinfection.??
What’s coming in the next issue?
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We hope you found this issue helpful – the theme for our September issue is Compliance and Regulations where we’ll be looking at:
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We’d welcome any feedback on topics and themes you’d like to see in future issues.
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If you enjoyed the content in this newsletter, please consider joining our Network for Healthcare Heroes. We expand on content like this in more depth, as well as provide free resources and guidance on all things healthcare waste.
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Operations Manager
4 个月All this company does is rip people off and increase health care rates. This place is a joke and treats its employees like garbage. I would never do business with this company after seeing how they treat their employees! Don’t ever trust Daniels Health!