INTRODUCTION TO
INFECTION CONTROL
GROUP MEMBERS
• Etba Sarwar
• Fiza Arshad
• Imama Noor
• Maryam Farooq
• Saman Shafique
• Tehreem Abdullah
CONTENTS:
Introduction to Infection Control
Immunization
Patient screening
Hand hygiene
Barrier techniques
Needle and sharp instrument safety
Instrument sterilization and disinfection
Radiographic Asepsis.
Laboratory asepsis
Disposal of contaminated wastes
Handling of extracted teeth.
Handling of Biopsy Specimens
Routes of transmission of infection
Principle routes of entry of microorganisms into the body
Importance of infection control
IMMUNIZATION
Basic schedule :
Immunization schedule for infants and children ( for
poliomyelitis, tetanus, diphtheria, measles & mumps etc)
Booster and re-immunization:
Each agent requires booster or re-immunization on a
specific plan, ( range 1 to 10 years)
PATIENT SCREENING
Methods of patient screening:
Medical history
Visual examination
Questionnaire
Importance of patient screening :
Prevention of transmission
Protection of dental staff
Community safety
HAND HYGIENE
Hand washing is the most important procedure for preventing the spread of infection.
So, you must wash your hands each time before you put on gloves and immediately after
you remove gloves.
HANDS NEED TO BE CLEANED WHEN :
Visibly dirty
After touching contaminated objects
with bare hands
Before and after patient treatment
(before glove placement and after
gloves removal)
BARRIER TECHNIQUES
Personal protective equipment.
Specialized clothing or equipment worn by an employee
for protection against infectious materials.
Gloves
Gown
Mask
Protective eye wear
Face shield
Apron
DONNING OF PPE KIT
Gown
Mask or respirator
Goggles or face shield
Gloves
DOFFING OF PPE KIT
Gloves
Goggles or face shield
Gown
Mask or respirator
Hand wash
NEEDLE AND SHARP INSTRUEMENTS SAFETY
Used needles and other sharps are dangerous to people and pets if
not disposed of safely because they can injure people and spread
infections that cause serious health conditions. The most common
infections are:
Hepatitis B (HBV)
Hepatitis C (HCV)
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
Safe sharps disposal is important whether you are at home, at
work, at school, traveling, or in other public places such as hotels,
parks, and restaurants
PREVENTING NEEDLESTICK INJURIES IS THE
BEST WAY TO PROTECT YOURSELF
If you sustain a needle stick injury:
Immediately report your injury to your supervisor; do not wait
until the end of your shift or the end of the procedure
Do not apply pressure to the wound; allow it to bleed freely
Wash the wound with soap and water
Identify the patient involved so that they can be evaluated for an
infection
Get a medical assessment
Follow the directions for any necessary blood tests, vaccinations,
or medications to prevent infection.
INSTRUMENT OF STERILIZATION AND
DISINFECTION
Sterilization:
Sterilization is a process intended to kill all microorganisms and is the highest level
of microbial kill that is possible.
The 4 accepted METHODS OF STERILIZATION are:
1. Steam pressure sterilization (autoclave)
2. Chemical vapor pressure sterilization-(chemiclave)
3. Dry heat sterilization (dryclave)
4. Ethylene oxide sterilization
DISINFECTION
Disinfection is always at least a two-step procedure:
The initial step involves vigorous scrubbing of the surfaces to be disinfected and
wiping them clean.
The second step involves wetting the surface with a disinfectant and leaving it
wet for the time prescribed by the manufacturer.
RADIOGRAPHIC ASEPSIS
• For dental radiology, only a limited number of items require
sterilization.
• The team should use heat-tolerant or disposable intraoral
devices whenever possible (e.g., filmholding and positioning
devices) and should clean and heat sterilize heat-tolerant
devices between patients.
• Consistent use of the most effective and efficient types of
personal protective equipment (e.g., gloves, masks, gowns, and
eyeglasses) decreases the chances of exposure to infectious
agents.
LABORATORY ASEPSIS
Key aspects :
Preventing cross-contamination
Protecting dental personnel
Protecting patients
Techniques :
Personal protective equipment
Instrument reprocessing
Surface and equipment asepsis
Aseptic techniques
Importance :
Reducing infection risk
Compliance with regulations
DISPOSAL OF CONTAMINATED WASTES
HANDLING OF EXTRACTED TEETH
Extracted teeth should be cleaned so there
is no visible debris or blood.
Kept moist in simple solution like water or
saline.
They should be labeled with biohazard
symbol until sterilization.
HANDLING OF BIOPSY SPECIMENS
Collect the specimen.
Place it immediately into a container with
10% formalin.
Label the container with patient's
information.
Transport the specimen to the laboratory
ROUTES OF TRANSMISSION OF INFECTION
1. Inhalation:
Direct inhalation:
Inhalation of small particles of moisture generated when a person
coughs or sneezes, or when water is aerosolized to a fine mist during dental
procedures.
Indirect Inhalation
Happens when airborne microorganisms from previous procedures are
later inhaled from the surrounding environment.
2. Direct Contact:
Microorganisms enter through cuts or breaks in the skin or oral
mucosa during dental procedures or accidental injuries (e.g.,
needle stick).
3. Ingestion:
Contaminated instruments, hands, or materials can transfer
microorganisms to the mouth, which may then be swallowed into
the digestive tract.
PRINCIPLES OF INFECTION CONTROL
1. Elimination: Removing or destroying the source of infection.
2. Substitution: Replacing infectious agents or contaminated items.
3. Isolation: Separating infected individuals to prevent transmission.
4. Engineering controls: Designing and implementing systems to
reduce infection risk.
5. Administrative controls: Implementing policies and procedures.
6. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Wearing PPE to
minimize exposure.
Additionally, key infection control practices include:
Hand hygiene: Regular handwashing and sanitizing.
Sterilization and disinfection: Properly sterilizing equipment and
disinfecting surfaces.
Vaccination: Ensuring healthcare workers are up-to-date on
recommended vaccinations.
These principles and practices help prevent and control infections in
various settings.
IMPORTANCE OF INFECTION CONTROL
Infection control is crucial for:
Preventing disease transmission: Between patients, healthcare workers,
and others.
Reducing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs): Minimizing risks of
infections acquired in healthcare settings.
Protecting vulnerable populations: Such as immunocompromised
individuals and those with chronic conditions.
Maintaining public health: Preventing outbreaks and controlling infectious
diseases.
Ensuring patient safety: Providing a safe environment for patients to
receive care.
CONCLUSION :
The aim of infection control is to control
iatrogenic, nasocromial infection and
blood borne infection among patient and
potential occupational exposure of
health care workers.