6 Core Elements in Infection Control
Healthcare workers are at a constant risk of contracting diseases from the patients they handle and care for every day. Some of these patients also suffer from highly contagious and infectious diseases. Thus infection control training was devised by the United States Department of Health to reduce the risk the caretakers from the healthcare industry are subjected to. It is mandatory for all doctors, physicians, nurses, paramedics and others in hospitals and clinics to undergo this training in order to keep themselves safe and infection free. It not only promotes a healthy and safe working and healing environment, it also creates an infection free place for all.
Time and again, training for this health issue has been revised to make way for the newer guidelines which were recommended by the Department of Health. Today, online infection control training includes 6 core elements. The 6 core elements that form the basics of the training program are as follows:
– Responsibility to adhere to the rules and supervise over others
Each professional is responsible for the adherence to scientifically accepted practices and principles of infection control. He needs to make sure that while he himself respects the guidelines and follows them, he is required to make sure that the people he is responsible for also do the same.
– Transmissions and Prevention of infection
Each professional is required to understand how the pathogens and the microorganisms are transmitted. The working knowledge of the mechanism and the modes of transmission is essential. It is also essential to know the strategies to prevent and control the infestation.
– Engineering controls and work practice controls
The professional needs to understand the difference between engineering controls and work practice controls. He is required to use this knowledge judiciously at the right time to reduce the risk and the chance of potential infection.
– Selection of equipment and barriers
The professional is required to know all about the personal protective equipment and barriers that would effectively minimize the risk of infection and its spread. He should also be able to guide his fellow workers in such situations.
– Cleaning, Sterilization and Disinfection
The professional should be able to maintain a safe environment for himself, the patients and fellow workers by applying the principles of cleaning, sterilization and disinfection. He should know the requirement and the need and should be able to act accordingly. He should make sure his staff and fellow workers are also following the guidelines.
– Prevention and control of infections and diseases
The professional would be expected to actively participate to try and nip infections at the bud in his workplace. In case of an outbreak, he and his staff should be able to take the required steps to try and stop or reduce the damage.
As per law, these 6 core elements are the basics, and training revolves around them. Once the certification is given, it should be renewed every four years in order to keep up with the newer practices that are constantly introduced. While those in the healthcare industry undergo this training compulsorily, a lot of non-medical people also undergo this training. It is encouraged for it helps promote a healthy infection-free life.
For more information, please visit our infection control training website.
For more information, please visit our infection control training website http://www.infectioncontrolexams.com
Author Bio: For more information, please visit our infection control training website.
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Keywords: nurses,,doctors,Infection Control, Infection Control Training