Transcript for film one - Preventing infection

Introduction

Preventing infection is everyone's business and it plays a vital part in safeguarding your health and health of people you are caring for. These short films provide you with some of the basic facts: they explain how infections occur, how they are spread and the practical steps you can take to minimise the risks. You will receive more information about preventing infection on your induction course and through further training.

What causes infection?

We are surrounded by millions of microscopic organisms including bacteria and viruses. Most don't make us ill, but some you may have heard of like MRSA, Clostridium difficile, salmonella, norovirus, influenza and Hepatitis B can pose a threat to health. Most people if infected will recover quickly after treatment, but the elderly, children, and people who are already vulnerable and ill are at particular risk. For them, these infections can be very serious or even fatal because many of these organisms multiply rapidly.

The chain of infection

The chain of infection describes the way an infection spreads causing illness. Infections can spread from one part of your body to another making you ill, or from other people, the environment, food or animals. People can become infected by direct contact for example through touch, by breathing something in through the nose or mouth or by swallowing something. Infections can also be introduced into the body through a puncture, cut or wound or through some medical equipment like urinary catheters.

What you can do to break the chain of infection

Preventing infection means breaking the links in this chain so that an infection can't spread. You can do this through simple procedures: washing your hands properly, using disposable aprons and single use gloves when needed, preparing food hygienically and following effective cleaning routines.

There are other things you can do too. Make sure you are bare below the elbow because long sleeved clothing, watches and jewellery prevent you from washing your hands effectively. Wedding rings without stones are acceptable where they can move enough on the finger to allow proper washing. False nails and nail varnish must not be worn as they can harbour micro organisms.

Protecting your health and protecting others

By protecting your own health you will help to protect others too. It is important that you cover any cuts with a clean waterproof dressing and replace it whenever it gets wet.

Alyson Smith interview As a carer your personal health is really important because if you were to come to work when you're unwell, you could potentially infect vulnerable people you care for.  If you do feel unwell you should go to your GP and take their advice on how long you should stay away from work.  For example, if you were to have diarrhoea and vomiting, that could be due to norovirus and its really important you stay away, until your symptoms have stopped for at least 48 hours.

Make sure you are up to date with immunisations. Your manager should advise you which ones are necessary.

Adopting the right procedures can have a big impact on preventing infection, particularly in nursing homes and care homes. So it's important that you follow the instructions outlined in these films. Nevertheless, infection can still occur. And if two or more people (staff or residents) in a care home get the same infection then it is called an outbreak.

Basic outbreak management

Interview with Sarah Brill
As a carer it is important that you are aware of signs of illness, such as diarrhoea, vomiting, coughing and fever.  If a resident has any of these symptoms you must report it to your manager.   Where there are several residents with similar sumptoms your manager will report the potential outbreak to the local Health Protection Unit.

Residents who are ill will probably be cared for in their own room until they are no longer infectious. The Health Protection Unit can provide advice in outbreak situations.
Extra care may be needed when cleaning equipment and rooms used by a resident who is ill and cleaning must be carried out more regularly.

Last reviewed: 22 July 2010