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Table of Contents
- Course Home
- Objectives
- Matching Exercise
- Introduction
- Infectious Disease and Occupational Risk
- The Infection Control Network
- Infection Control on the Job: Introduction
- Infection Control on the Job: Initial Response
- Infection Control on the Job: Approach to the Patient
- Infection Control on the Job: The Post-Patient Period
- On-the-Job Infectious Disease Exposures
- Infectious Disease Prevention: Basic Principles
- Infectious Disease Prevention: Immunizations
- Infectious Disease Prevention: Standard Precautions
- Infectious Disease Prevention: Handwashing
- Conclusion
- References
- Bibliography
Infectious Disease Prevention: Basic Principles
1) Stay at home if you are sick:
Do not go to work if you have a condition that can result in infection of co-workers or patients, such as diarrhea, a draining wound, jaundice, mononucleosis, untreated lice and scabies, or if you have a cold. Additionally, per doctors orders, do not return to work if you have been on an antibiotic for less then 24 hours for strep throat. If you have a cold and are at work, wear a mask, and perform activities that do not require patient contact.
2) Have the right attitude:
A proactive and positive attitude will help you be more aware of potential exposures to infectious agents.
3) Keep your immunization status up to date:
Be sure that you have received the following vaccinations, and that you are up to date with any additional boosters that may be needed to maintain immunity:
-MMR (short for measles, mumps, and rubella), Hepatitis B (and possibly A), DTaP (short for diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis), polio, chickenpox, influenza, and rabies.
4) Standard Precautions, Universal Precautions, and Body Substance Isolation:
When on the job, follow necessary Standard Precautions as mandated by agency, local, state, and or federal guidelines.
5) Risk assessment:
When in the field, constantly be aware of disease tip-offs, such as a patient with a history of immunosuppression or on immunosuppressive medications, or a patient with symptoms such as a cough, headache, weakness, weight loss, stiff neck, high fever, and a rash, among others.
6) Show respect for all patients:
Most importantly, your job is to safely and effectively render treatment to individuals in need, in a professional and compassionate manner. DO NOT treat patients with known or suspected infectious diseases any differently than other patients.