Safety and Infection Prevention and Control

Infection-prevention practices applied to ALL clients regardless of diagnosis or suspected infection status. They treat blood, all body fluids (except sweat), non-intact skin, and mucous membranes as potentially infectious.

Before touching a client, before a clean/aseptic procedure, after body-fluid exposure risk, after touching a client, and after touching the client's surroundings.

When hands are visibly soiled, after caring for a client with C. difficile or norovirus (spores/non-enveloped viruses resist alcohol), and after using the restroom. Alcohol rub does not reliably kill C. diff spores.

At least 15-20 seconds, covering all surfaces including between fingers, thumbs, and under nails. Keep hands lower than elbows during rinsing.

So water and contaminants run off the fingertips into the sink rather than back up the arms, keeping the cleanest area (forearms) from being recontaminated.

Gloves plus gown, and a mask with eye protection (or face shield) when sprays/splashes to the face are likely (e.g., suctioning, irrigation, childbirth).