Infection Prevention and Control FAQ

Infection Prevention and Control FAQ

1. What is Infection Prevention and Control?

   1. Infection Prevention and Control refers to practices and procedures implemented to stop or reduce the spread of infections among patients, staff, and the public. Effective infection control protects patients, staff, and the broader community, ensuring a safe environment for care.

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2. What is my role in preventing the spread of infection?

   1. Hand Hygiene Guidelines: Washing and/or sanitizing your hands

   2. Respiratory Hygiene Practices:

      1. Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing

      2. Washing your hands after coughing or sneezing

      3. Disposing of used tissues

      4. Wearing a mask if you have symptoms of a respiratory virus such as coughing and/or sneezing

   3. Practicing social distancing

   4. Using Personal Protective Equipment: Gloves, mask, face shield, gowns

   5. Effectively cleaning the environment

   6. Disinfecting patient care equipment

   7. Sterilizing reusable patient care equipment, when applicable

3. Other than the actions listed above, what other steps can I take to reduce or stop the spread of infection?

   1. Staying up to date on routine vaccinations

   2. The use of single-use instruments when applicable

   3. Safe needle practices.

      1. Use a new, sterile needle for each dose of medication.

      2. Use needles with a safety closing mechanism

      3. Proper disposal in sharps containers

4. What should I do if a patient shows symptoms of a communicable infection? 

   1. If a patient shows symptoms of a communicable infection, follow isolation protocols, notify Infection Control, use appropriate PPE, and take measures to limit patient exposure to other patients and staff. 

5. How are infection control protocols communicated to staff? 

   1. Infection control protocols are communicated through training sessions, and updates in the company intranet which may include isolation, enhanced cleaning, and visitor restrictions. Staff will receive guidance on specific protocols and responsibilities. 

6. How often are staff trained on infection control practices? 

   1. Staff receive infection control training upon hire and annually through HealthStream, with additional education as needed when protocols are updated, or new risks arise. Training can include hand hygiene, PPE use, exposure-response, and cleaning procedures. 

7. How does the Infection Control team monitor compliance? 

   1. The Infection Control team conducts regular audits, observes proper hand hygiene and PPE use, and monitors adherence to cleaning protocols. Feedback and corrective actions are provided to ensure compliance. 

8. Who recommends or requires our infection control practices?

   1. Westside Family Healthcare follows recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), the Department of Public Health (DPH), and the Joint Commission (TJC).  

9. What education is required to become an Infection Prevention Nurse?

   1. Our Infection Prevention Nurse is an associate or bachelor’s prepared nurse with specialized training and certification in infection prevention and control.

10. What does an Infection Prevention Nurse do at Westside?

    1. The Infection Prevention Nurse collaborates throughout the organization to ensure compliance with public health and regulatory standards, pandemic management, staff education, construction management, water quality, environmental disinfection, ventilation and airflow systems, antibiotic stewardship, instrument sterilization, and more.

11. How do I contact our Infection Prevention Nurse?

    1. For questions, contact Elizabeth Teron, BSN, RN, LTC-CIP, Employee Health, and Infection Prevention Nurse via email (elizabeth.teron@westsidehealth.org), by phone (302.830.3101 ext. 1318), or by your supervisor. They can provide guidance on protocols, answer specific questions, and assist with any infection control concerns.