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Infection Control

At VCH, the health of our patients and employees is top of mind. Each one of us can successfully reduce the spread of infections with evidence-based infection control measures such as hand hygiene.

To go directly to the mandatory course (Infection Prevention and Control Practices for Direct/Professional Clinical Care Providers) scroll to the bottom of this page and click on the link.

Objectives

Resources

Glossary

3 KEY THINGS

The most important information I need to know.

Visiting a Care Environment

Hand Hygiene

Preventing Spread

Hand Hygiene

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When in a patient environment, remember the four moments of hand hygiene. 

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

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  • Gloves for handling visibly-dirty equipment. (Careful! Dirty gloves spread infections.)
  • Gowns for potential splashing of fluids/water to clothing.
  • Masks for potential splashing to the face.
  • N95 respirators for protection against airborne contaminants. Must be fit-tested. (Visit the Worker Safety Course for more information on fit-testing.)

 

Waste Handling

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Use correct waste segregation and disposal methods. Visit the resource section of this course for more info on waste handling.

 

Sharps Safety

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  • Dispose of sharps into puncture-resistant containers immediately after use.
  • If you discover a sharp that needs disposing, do not handle with bare hands. Consider using tongs, or a dustpan and broom.
  • If you are punctured by a sharp or your mucous membranes have been splashed, wash thoroughly with soap and water. Contact First Aid for immediate assistance and report the incident to the Provincial Workplace Health Call Centre at 1 (866) 922-9464.

 

Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection

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  • It is every health care worker’s responsibility to maintain a clean environment, whether that means cleaning and disinfecting clinical items that you use, reducing clutter to allow housekeeping to do a thorough job, or containing food to prevent rodent infestations. Know what your responsibilities are at your worksite!
  • VCH has two standard products (disposable wipes) for cleaning and disinfection.
    • Accel Intervention for general cleaning and disinfection
    • Ultra Swipes for monitors and display screens

 

Additional Precautions

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Follow directions on the sign outside the door if you need to enter the room of a patient requiring “Additional Precautions”. The six types of Additional Precautions are:

  1. Contact Precautions
  2. Contact Plus Precautions
  3. Droplet Precautions
  4. Droplet and Contact Precautions
  5. Airborne Precautions (you must have an N95 fit test to enter)
  6. Airborne and Contact Precautions (you must have an N95 fit test to enter)

 

The Importance of Hand Hygiene

Hand hygiene is the single most important way for you to protect yourself and everyone around you from the spread of many infections, including colds and influenza. Patients are particularly vulnerable to acquiring infections while in hospital, and many of these are spread by inadequately-washed hands.

Everyone in the health care environment must practice good hand hygiene, including all health care providers, patients, visitors, and volunteers.

How to Perform Hand Hygiene

 

When to Perform Hand Hygiene

  • Upon entering and leaving a patient care environment
  • Before eating, after using washroom
  • Whenever hands are visibly dirty
  • After coughing and sneezing

Respiratory Etiquette

Respiratory infections spread easily because germs contaminate hands and the immediate environment when you cough or sneeze.

Preventing Outbreaks

Do not come to work if you have:

  • Fever and cough
  • Unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms (i.e. vomiting and/or diarrhea)

Instead, call the Absence Call Line (604-639-4297 / 1-866-924-4297) and follow the prompts.

WHAT CAN I DO?

Tips to help me take care and stay safe.

Wash your hands

Hand hygiene is the single most important way for you to protect yourself and everyone around you from the spread of many infections, including colds and influenza.

Refer to IPAC website

The VCH Infection Prevention & Control (IPAC) team is dedicated to reducing the spread of health care related infections within our facilities across the region. For more information please visit ipac.vch.ca.

Ask if you are unsure

If you have any questions regarding infection control, reach out to your manager and/or contact the Infection Prevention & Control (IPAC) team.

MY ACTION ITEMS

As you continue your orientation, watch for ways infection control is promoted throughout the organization.

Click below to access and complete the provincially-mandated course: Infection Prevention and Control Practices for Direct/Professional Clinical Care Providers.

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