Universal Precautions in Infection Prevention

1
Universal Precautions in Infection Prevention

• Managing Complications in Pregnancy and Childbirth

2
Session Objectives

• To discuss essential elements of universal
  precautions for infection prevention in emergency
  obstetric care
• To discuss best universal precaution practices in
  emergency obstetric care

3
Universal Precautions in Infection Prevention
Objectives

• To prevent major infections when providing
  services
• To minimize the risk of transmitting serious
  infections (e.g., hepatitis B and C and HIV) from
  or to
• Clients
• Healthcare providers
• Other staff, including cleaning and housekeeping
  personnel

4
Basic Principles in Universal Precautions

• Consider every person (client or staff)
  potentially infectious
• Wash hands, the most practical procedure for
  preventing cross-contamination (person to person)
• Wear gloves before touching
• Anything wet
• Broken skin
• Mucous membranes
• Blood or other body fluids (secretions or
  excretions)
• Soiled instruments and other items

5
Basic Principles in Universal Precautions
(continued)

• Use physical barriers (protective goggles, face
  masks and aprons) if splashes and spills of any
  body fluids (secretions or excretions) are
  anticipated
• Use safe work practices
• Do not recap or bend needles
• Pass sharp instruments safely
• Dispose of medical waste properly
• Isolate patients only if secretions (airborne) or
  excretions (urine or feces) cannot be contained
• Process instruments and other items using
  recommended infection prevention practices

6
Handwashing

• Handwashing may be the single most important
  procedure in preventing infection
• Wash hands
• Before and after examining any client (direct
  contact)
• After removing gloves because gloves may have
  holes in them
• After exposure to blood or any body fluids
  (secretions or excretions), even if gloves were
  worn

7
Routine Handwashing

• Steps
• Use a plain or antiseptic soap
• Vigorously rub lathered hands together for 10 to
  15 seconds
• Rinse with clean running water from a tap or
  bucket
• Dry hands with a clean towel or air dry them

8
Protective Barriers

• Wear gloves
• When performing a procedure in the clinic or
  operating room
• When handling soiled instruments, gloves and
  other items
• When disposing of contaminated waste items
  (cotton, gauze or dressings)
• Use a separate pair of gloves for each woman to
  avoid cross contamination

9
Protective Barriers (continued)

• Wear protective goggles, face masks and aprons
• During all childbirths
• If splashes and spills of any body fluids are
  likely

10
Handling Sharp Instruments and Needles

• Leave sharp instruments or needles only in safe
  zones
• Tell other workers before passing sharps
• Use each needle and syringe only once
• Do not recap, bend or break needles before
  disposal
• Dispose of needles and syringes in a
  puncture-proof container

11
Safe Waste Disposal Objectives

• To prevent spread of infection to clinic
  personnel who handle waste
• To prevent spread of infection to local community
• To protect those who handle waste from accidental
  injury

12
Safe Waste Disposal Practices

• Wear utility gloves while handling contaminated
  waste
• Place contaminated items (gauze or cotton) in
  leakproof covered containers or plastic bag
• Dispose of all sharp items in puncture-proof
  containers
• Dispose of contaminated solid waste by
  incineration or burial
• Wash hands, gloves and containers after disposal
  of infectious waste

13
References
EngenderHealth. 2000. Infection Prevention a
reference booklet for health care providers.
EngenderHealth New York.