Demonstrate knowledge of infection control
requirements in a health or disability setting
20826 V3
Name__________________________________________________
Demonstrate knowledge of infection
control requirements in a health or
disability setting
US 20826 Version 3
Level 2
Credits 3
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copy, distribute and transmit the work and to adapt the work. You must attribute Careerforce as the
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Careerforce – Issue 2.2 – Dec 2013
www.careerforce.org.nz
Demonstrate knowledge of infection control
requirements in a health or disability setting
20826 V3
4
Before you start
8
Causes of infection
14 Passing on and preventing infections
20 Hand hygiene
24Hand-washing
26 Other hand hygiene practices
28Precautions
34 Disposal
36 First aid
38Reporting
Demonstrate knowledge of infection control requirements in a health or disability setting
Careerforce – Issue 2.2 – Dec 2013
Workbook
3
Before you start
Welcome to this workbook for:
Demonstrate knowledge of infection
control requirements in a health or
disability setting.
Unit Standard 20826 V3.
For this unit standard you will have:
• This workbook.
• A trainee’s assessment.
What you will learn about
In this workbook you will learn more about:
• What causes infections.
• The ways infections can be passed on.
Take note!
How to use this workbook
• This is your workbook to keep –
make it your own by writing in it.
• Use highlighters to identify
important ideas.
• Do the learning activities included
throughout this workbook. Write
your answers in the spaces provided.
• You might find it helpful to discuss
your answers with colleagues or
your supervisor.
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• Finish this workbook before you
start on the assessment.
• How to prevent infections.
• How to report infections.
Glossary and study hints
Learning support for trainees in
Foundation Skills and Core Competencies
The glossary and study hints book has study hints
for all trainees.
It also explains key words and phrases from the
compulsory unit standards for Foundation Skills
and Core Competencies. You can download it
from www.careerforce.org.nz
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Careerforce – Issue 2.2 – Dec 2013
Demonstrate knowledge of infection control requirements in a health or disability setting
Workbook activities
Stop – check what you know
about this topic
Learning activities
You will see this stop symbol in places
where you are asked to stop and think
about what you know and:
• Record your current knowledge
or impressions.
• Check your knowledge.
This stop provides a reference point to
return to later.
You will come across learning activities as
you work through this workbook.
These activities help you understand
and apply the information that you are
learning about.
Learning activities have a pale yellow
background like this.
Rewind
When you see this rewind symbol, go
back to:
• Think about what you know.
• Check your knowledge.
This rewind gives you an opportunity to
add to, change or confirm some of your
initial thoughts and ideas.
Rewind activities have a green
background like this.
Stop activities have a blue background
like this.
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Careerforce – Issue 2.2 – Dec 2013
EJEC
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5
Colds and flu can easily be spread from person to person
when proper hygiene practices aren’t used.
Head lice are also very easily spread when precautions
are not taken.
Fortunately there is less risk of catching a disease from an
insect bite in New Zealand than there is in some
other countries.
6
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Before you go any further in this workbook, think about...
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Infection control
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What are the four main causes of infection?
How do people catch infections?
What is the most important method of preventing the spread of infection?
What are two items of protective clothing?
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Careerforce – Issue 2.2 – Dec 2013
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Causes of infection
Some of the most common hazards in
your workplace are germs.
Germs can cause an infection.
An infection happens when germs enter the
body and start to multiply.
A disease is when the cells in the body are
damaged by the infection and the person
becomes sick.
Bacteria
8
Workbook
Germs are everywhere. They are in the air, on
food, plants and animals, in soil and water and
even on the surface and inside your own body.
Most are too small to see without the aid of a
microscope.
There are four main types of germs that can
cause infections:
• Viruses can cause infections like the
common cold and chickenpox.
• Bacteria can cause infections like
bronchitis or appendicitis.
• Fungi can cause infections like tinea pedis
(athlete’s foot) and ringworm.
• Parasites can result in an infection like
giardia or head lice.
Fungi
Viruses
Careerforce – Issue 2.2 – Dec 2013
Many germs are helpful, like the bacteria that
help us digest food or keep other germs from
becoming harmful.
Germs become a problem when they are
a harmful type or when they are present in
numbers that are too much for the body’s
immune system to cope with.
Parasites
Demonstrate knowledge of infection control requirements in a health or disability setting
Causes of infection
Viruses can be swallowed, inhaled,
absorbed through mucous
membranes like the eyes, or spread by
insect bites or sexual contact.
What are they?
A virus is the smallest germ and can only be
seen with a microscope. It needs to attach
itself to a living cell to reproduce. It will usually
attach itself to a particular kind of cell. For
example, a cold virus will only attach itself to
cells in parts of the upper respiratory tract, like
the nose and throat.
Because a virus cannot reproduce by itself, it
will not survive for long away from living cells.
On a hard surface, like a metal handle, a virus
might survive for one or two days. If someone
coughed on the door handle, however, and the
virus is protected by mucus, it can survive for
much longer.
Some diseases – for example, pneumonia,
meningitis and diarrhoea – can be caused
by either a virus or bacteria. Only the
bacterial form of the diseases can be
treated by antibiotics.
Can you be immune to them?
Yes, if your body can protect itself against a
virus, you are immune to it. You can have a
vaccine (like the polio vaccine) and this can
protect you against catching the polio virus.
Each vaccine only protects you against that
particular virus.
How can they be cured?
The immune system of a healthy person can
fight mild viral infections like the common
cold. Severe viral infections can be treated
with anti-viral drugs that may reduce the
severity and duration of the illness if started
early enough.
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Causes of infection
Bacteria can be breathed in or
swallowed. They may get inside the
body through a break in the skin
like a cut.
What are they?
Bacteria are tiny living things made up of single
cells. They can reproduce by themselves and
live on things like food or cutlery.
There are thousands of different types of
bacteria that live in every kind of environment,
but only a few types will cause diseases.
Can you be immune to them?
Yes, if your body can protect itself against
bacteria, you are immune. You can have a
vaccine (like the tetanus vaccine) and this can
protect you against catching that bacteria.
Each vaccine only protects you against that
particular bacteria.
How can they be cured?
Bacteria can be killed by antibiotics. Some
bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics
and this makes them very hard to kill.
Take note!
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A very sore throat might be caused by a bacterium called
streptococcus. This is commonly called a strep throat.
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Causes of infection
Fungi reproduce by spreading tiny
spores that can cause infections on or
inside the body.
What are they?
Fungi are neither plants nor animals. They
like living in damp, warm conditions. Some,
like mushrooms, or the mould on bread, can
be seen with the naked eye. Others, such as
candida (thrush), can only be seen with
a microscope.
Can you be immune to them?
No, there are no vaccines for fungal infections
but there are ways you can prevent them.
For example, you can wear protective
footwear, like jandals, when using a public
shower, and dry between your toes to help
prevent athlete’s foot.
Some types of fungi, like candida, are always
in and on the body, but they only cause a
problem when the body’s ability to control
them is affected. This is why a thrush
infection is a common problem for people
taking antibiotics.
How can they be cured?
Anti-fungal drugs, powders or creams
get rid of fungal infections.
Sore, itchy feet may be a sign that you have a fungal infection.
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Causes of infection
Parasites can live on the surface of the
body or enter the body through the
mouth or skin.
What are they?
Parasites are organisms that live on or inside
another organism (the host) and cause harm to
that host.
Common parasites in New Zealand are head
lice and threadworms.
Giardia is a parasite found in streams, lakes or
roof water and it will cause gastroenteritis if
swallowed. This infection can also be passed
from one person to another.
Can you be immune to them?
No. There are no vaccines for parasites. There
are ways you can reduce your chances of
catching parasites. For example, you can avoid
sharing a hairbrush or a hat with someone who
has head lice, and you can boil water before
drinking it if there is a chance it might be
contaminated.
Malaria is another parasitic disease that could
be caught when travelling overseas.
How can they be cured?
Treatments will depend on the type of parasite
causing the infection. For example, head lice
can be treated with medicated shampoo or by
using a special comb. Creams and tablets may
be required to treat other kinds of infection.
An itchy head may be caused by head lice.
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Demonstrate knowledge of infection control requirements in a health or disability setting
Learning activity
Answer these questions using one of
these causes of infections:
• Virus
1 What could cause an infection if someone close to you sneezes without covering his or her mouth and
nose?
Virus
• Bacteria
• Fungi
• Parasites
The first one has been done for you,
in red.
2 What could cause an infection if you have a cut on your hand that is not covered with a sticking
plaster?
3 What could cause an infection if you use a shower in a public place like a swimming pool?
4 What could cause an infection if you share your hairbrush with someone who has head lice?
5 What could cause an infection if you picked up a dirty tissue from the floor?
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Passing on and preventing infections
Direct infections are passed on by
physical contact between people.
Take note!
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14 Workbook
Infections that can be passed on this
way include:
• Chickenpox
• Meningitis
• Whooping cough
• Head lice
• Gastroenteritis (vomiting and diarrhoea)
• Influenza (flu)
• Sexually transmitted diseases
How to prevent an infection being passed on
in this way:
• Good hand washing.
• Avoid direct contact with an
infected person.
• Use protective clothing such as gloves for
contact with infected skin and body fluids.
• Use masks if you, or the person you are
supporting, has a respiratory illness like a
cold or flu.
• Condoms help prevent the spread of
sexually transmitted diseases.
Careerforce – Issue 2.2 – Dec 2013
Something as simple as shaking hands is enough to allow
infections to be passed on from one person to another.
Demonstrate knowledge of infection control requirements in a health or disability setting
Passing on and preventing infections
Indirect infections are passed on by
contact with objects such as door
handles, cups, cutlery, telephones or
soiled clothing and bedding.
Infections that can be passed on this
way include:
• Chickenpox
• Colds
• Gastroenteritis
• Skin infections
• Athlete’s foot
• Conjunctivitis (pinkeye)
• Head lice
• Threadworms
Take note!
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How to prevent an infection being passed on
in this way:
• Frequent hand washing, especially before
touching your face, eyes, mouth or nose.
• Use gloves when handling anything that
may be infected, for example, soiled
bedding.
• Disinfect items that may be contaminated.
• Don’t share personal items such as cups,
cutlery, hair brushes or towels.
Demonstrate knowledge of infection control requirements in a health or disability setting
Careerforce – Issue 2.2 – Dec 2013
Touching something like a door handle after using your
hand to cover your mouth and nose while you sneeze may
be enough to pass on an indirect infection. Remember to
wash your hands.
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15
Passing on and preventing infections
Airborne infections are passed on
by contact with infected droplets of
moisture in the air.
These droplets may come, for example, from
a person with a cold who has sneezed or
coughed. The droplets may stay in the air for a
long time and be carried a long way. If another
person inhales the droplets, the infection may
be passed on.
Even laughing and breathing can spread
droplets of moisture that can carry a virus
or bacteria.
Infections that can be passed on this
way include:
• Flu
• Colds
• Measles
• Rubella
• Tuberculosis
• Chickenpox
• Meningitis
• Whooping cough
• Mumps
• Strep throat
How to prevent an infection being passed on
in this way:
• Avoid close contact with an infected person.
• Cover your mouth or nose when coughing
or sneezing.
• Avoid close contact with people in
crowded or enclosed spaces, for example,
shopping malls.
• Wear a mask.
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It is important to cover your mouth and nose when you
sneeze or cough.
Demonstrate knowledge of infection control requirements in a health or disability setting
Passing on and preventing infections
A vector is an animal or insect that can
carry an infection to others but will not
be infected itself.
Common examples of vectors are mosquitoes,
flies and ticks.
Infections that can be passed on this
way include:
•
•
•
•
Malaria
Dengue fever
Japanese encephalitis
Yellow fever
How to prevent an infection being passed on
in this way:
• There are very few situations in New
Zealand where you are at risk of getting a
vector-borne illness. If you travel overseas
you can use insect repellents to reduce
your risk of getting bitten by flies
or mosquitoes.
An uncomfortable insect bite, but not as dangerous in
New Zealand as it can be overseas.
• Get vaccinated or take tablets
to protect against some
vector-borne infections. For example,
yellow fever has a vaccine, and malaria
has tablets.
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Learning activity
Infections
Causes
• Virus
The tables in this activity have a list
of infections. They also have a list of
causes and the ways an infection can
be passed on.
• Bacteria
• Direct
• Fungus
• Indirect
• Parasites
• Airborne
• Vector
For each infection listed:
Choose one or more possible causes.
Write it in the box provided.
Influenza (flu)
Virus
direct, airborne,
indirect
Choose one or more possible ways
the infection may have been
passed on.
Write it in the box provided.
Ways this infection may
have been passed on.
Athlete’s foot
The first one has been done for you,
in red.
Head lice
Chickenpox
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Learning activity - continued
Infections
Causes
• Virus
Ways this infection may
have been passed on.
• Bacteria
• Direct
• Fungus
• Indirect
• Parasites
• Airborne
• Vector
Diarrhoea
Meningitis
Take note!
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Malaria
Threadworms
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Hand hygiene
Hand hygiene is the most important
way to prevent the spread of infection.
Spread of infection
Germs can be picked up from body fluids or
objects like cutlery or cups. Even touching a
door handle or stair rail can be enough for
germs to stick to your hands.
When you have germs on your hands, it is easy
to pass them on to other people, for example,
by shaking hands, or to become infected
yourself, for example, by touching your mouth
or eyes.
Take note!
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Natural protection
Skin is your body’s first line of defence against
infection. If your skin is broken or damaged,
your risk of infection increases.
Extra protection
Covering up cuts or burns with a plaster is
important but some damage to skin is too
small to see. Wearing gloves is the best way
to prevent germs sticking to your skin, and
will reduce your risk of catching or passing
on an infection.
Careerforce – Issue 2.2 – Dec 2013
Hand-washing is the most important defence support
workers have against the spread of infection.
Demonstrate knowledge of infection control requirements in a health or disability setting
Hand hygiene
There are different ways to keep your
hands hygienic. You can use normal
soap, antiseptic soap or alcohol-based
hand rubs.
Normal soap and warm water will remove
most germs. This method is suitable for most
routine hand-washing.
Antiseptic soaps remove germs that normal
hand-washing might not remove.
Alcohol-based hand rubs, for example, Purell
are quicker than hand-washing and get rid of
more germs.
When should you clean your hands?
• When you start work.
• When you finish work.
• Before and after you have contact with a
person you are supporting.
• After contact with mucous membranes,
broken skin, or skin rashes or infections.
• After touching contaminated items such
as soiled sheets.
• Before you put on gloves.
• After removing gloves.
• After using the toilet or changing
incontinence pads.
• Before preparing or eating food.
• Before and after supporting a person to
eat or drink.
• After touching animals.
• Before and after giving medications.
• Before and after applying creams.
• After handling chemicals.
• Whenever your hands look dirty.
Hand-washing areas are provided. It is important to use
them regularly.
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If you cough, remember to cover your mouth to help
prevent the spread of infection. Then wash your hands.
Cold sores are contagious and are easily passed from
person to person.
Head lice can easily be passed from one person to
another when the proper precautions are not taken.
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Before you go any further in this workbook, go and...
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Wash your hands
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Now, answer the following questions:
Where did you wash your hands?
Was there anything else in the sink/basin where you washed your hands? If so, what was it and
what did you do?
Write down the main steps you followed to wash your hands:
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Hand-washing
How to wash your hands.
Roll your sleeves up to your elbows.
Remove watches or jewellery if required.
Wet your hands with warm water.
Place a small amount of soap on
your hands.
Rub your hands together to form a
lather. Make sure you clean under
your fingernails, and around and
between your fingers and your
fingertips and thumbs.
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Hand-washing
Wash for 10–15 seconds at least.
Rinse your hands well using plenty of
warm running water.
Take note!
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If you can, use the towel to turn off the
tap, so you don’t contaminate your
clean hands.
Dry your hands thoroughly.
(Steps 7 and 8 can be done in
either order.)
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Other hand hygiene practices
Hand-washing may not always be the
most practical or effective way to clean
your hands. Alcohol-based hand rubs
are useful in many situations.
How to use alcohol-based hand rubs:
Hand-washing
Hand-washing is usually the best way to keep
your hands clean. However, there may be times
when this is not possible, including if you are:
• In a community setting.
2 Apply a “thumbnail” size amount of gel to
the palm of one hand and rub your
hands together.
• Not near a suitable sink or basin.
• In a car.
• Outdoors.
In these situations it is appropriate to use
alcohol-based hand rubs, for example, Purell.
You may need to carry these products
with you.
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1 Check your hands. Only use an alcoholbased hand rub if there is no visible soiling
and your hands are dry.
3 Cover all surfaces of your hands and
fingers, including the areas around and
under your fingernails.
4 Continue rubbing for up to 30 seconds
until the alcohol dries.
5 Make sure your hands are completely dry
before putting on gloves or supporting
a person.
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What steps (if any) did you miss out
when you washed your hands earlier?
What will you do differently
next time?
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Precautions
As well as hand-washing, there are
many other ways to prevent infection
from spreading. These methods all
create a barrier between you and the
infection, helping to isolate
the infection.
Gloves
Wearing disposable gloves will help to prevent
passing on or catching infections.
Gloves should be worn when you are likely
to touch:
• Body fluids.
• Broken or damaged skin.
• Soiled bed linen or clothing.
• Continence products.
Take note!
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You should also wear gloves when you are
supporting people with personal care, and
when you are cleaning, especially in the
bathroom and toilet.
Wearing a protective apron and gloves while cleaning a
shower will help to protect you.
Goggles or glasses
Wearing goggles or glasses can protect the
mucous membranes of the eyes from splashes
of blood or other body fluids that could
carry infections.
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Demonstrate knowledge of infection control requirements in a health or disability setting
Precautions
Masks
Alcohol-based hand rubs
Masks help protect the mucous membranes of
the nose and mouth from getting splashed or
sprayed by any body fluids.
Alcohol-based hand rubs will significantly
reduce the number of germs on your skin.
They are fast acting and may cause less
irritation than frequent hand-washing
using soap.
Masks can also provide some protection from
passing on or catching airborne infections, for
example, a cold or flu.
Hats
Hats protect your hair from possible
contamination from body fluids or infection by
head lice. They will also prevent hair falling into
food or contaminating an open wound on a
person you are supporting.
Aprons or gowns
Protective clothing like aprons and gowns can
protect your skin. They will also prevent your
clothes getting dirty when you might
be cleaning or at risk of being splashed by
body fluids.
Demonstrate knowledge of infection control requirements in a health or disability setting
Protective clothing helps create a barrier between support
workers and possible areas of infection.
Careerforce – Issue 2.2 – Dec 2013
Workbook
29
Precautions
Apart from hand-washing, gloves
are probably the most common
precaution you will take
against infection.
You should use a new pair of gloves:
• If the gloves become soiled.
• If they tear or have a hole.
• When you support a different person.
• Between different jobs for the same
person, for example, between handling
soiled linen and food preparation.
Can you wash disposable gloves and use
them again?
No. Washing disposable gloves damages the
latex (the material that the gloves are made
from). This means that the gloves will not work
as well to protect against infection.
It is acceptable to wash and re-use domestic,
rubber gloves that are used for tasks like
washing dishes.
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Careerforce – Issue 2.2 – Dec 2013
Always dispose of used gloves properly. Soiled gloves
should be disposed of in a tied plastic bag.
Demonstrate knowledge of infection control requirements in a health or disability setting
Precautions
How to remove dirty gloves safely.
Turn the first glove inside out as
you take it off.
Crumple this glove into the
other hand.
You should now have
all the contaminated
surfaces of the gloves
safe from being
touched.
Demonstrate knowledge of infection control requirements in a health or disability setting
Careerforce – Issue 2.2 – Dec 2013
Peel the second glove off over the first one, which bundles
them together.
Soiled or contaminated
gloves should be put
into a plastic bag. Tie the
top of the bag before
throwing it away.
Workbook
31
Learning activity
Read these care situations.
Tick the boxes to show which precautions would help protect you from catching or passing on an infection.
The first one has been done for you, in red.
Care situations
Precautions
Hand washing
Gloves
Mask
Gown
Alcohol rub
Goggles/glasses
Hat
The person you are supporting is
unwell with a bad cold.
You are supporting a person to
prepare a meal.
You are applying cream to an
area of infected skin on the
person you are supporting.
The person you are supporting
has gastroenteritis and has been
vomiting. You need to change
the sheets and dispose of the
vomit container.
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Careerforce – Issue 2.2 – Dec 2013
Demonstrate knowledge of infection control requirements in a health or disability setting
Antiseptic soaps can remove germs that normal
hand-washing with ordinary soap doesn’t remove.
Gloves and an apron protect you and your clothing from
spills and splashes.
Alcohol-based hand rubs are not suitable if your hands are
visibly soiled. Wash your hands instead.
Demonstrate knowledge of infection control requirements in a health or disability setting
Careerforce – Issue 2.2 – Dec 2013
Workbook
33
Disposal
It is important to dispose of (throw
away) certain things, such as body
fluids or contaminated items, in an
approved way.
The disposal methods given in this section are
good general advice. You will also need to check
your organisation’s policies and procedures for
any more detailed advice or procedures that you
are expected to follow.
How to dispose of body fluids
• Always use gloves when handling body
fluids and waste.
• Blood, urine and faeces: flush down
the toilet.
• Continence products and sanitary napkins:
put in a double plastic waterproof bag,
seal it and put in the rubbish.
• Linen with body fluids on it: rinse in the
laundry tub with cold water, then do a
hot wash in the washing machine. Wash it
separately from other fabrics.
Anything sharp enough to damage skin, for example, a
needle, has to be disposed of in a safe “sharps” container.
• Sharps: must go in a sharps container.
People who use sharps should have one of
these containers, usually bright yellow, in
their home.
• Catheters, colostomy bags, dressings and
other medical waste: put in a plastic bag,
seal it and put in the rubbish.
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Careerforce – Issue 2.2 – Dec 2013
Demonstrate knowledge of infection control requirements in a health or disability setting
Disposal
How to handle contaminated linen
How to handle soiled clothing
and gowns
1 Treat all bed linen as if it is contaminated.
Wash your hands and put on gloves.
These soiled items should be treated in the
same way as contaminated linen.
2 If the linen is wet or soiled, put on an
apron as well.
If an item becomes soiled when you are out
in the community, or when you do not have
access to a laundry, you should place it in a
waterproof, plastic bag. If possible, put this bag
inside another bag so that it has a double layer
of protection.
3 When taking the linen off the bed, fold it
in on itself. This means that contaminated
surfaces are on the inside of the bundle.
4 Carry the bundle of linen away from your
body when taking it to the laundry.
5 You might need to carry it in a container
or bucket if it is dripping.
How to clean commodes, shower
chairs and urinals
6 Don’t shake the linen out or drop it.
1 Wash your hands and put gloves on.
7 Rinse the linen in cold water, then put it in
the washing machine for a hot wash.
2 Remove any visible soiling on the
equipment.
8 Remove and dispose of the gloves and
wash your hands.
3 Rinse.
4 Disinfect.
5 Rinse again.
If unsure, treat all linen as if it is contaminated. Wear gloves
and, if the linen is really dirty, wear an apron.
Demonstrate knowledge of infection control requirements in a health or disability setting
Careerforce – Issue 2.2 – Dec 2013
6 Dry before putting the equipment away.
7 Remove the gloves and dispose of them in
the rubbish bin.
Workbook
35
First aid
Sometimes accidents happen that
require first aid.
You may get injured by a needle or other
sharp item, touch something that may be
contaminated or have to deal with a splash or
spill of body fluids. Body fluids include blood,
urine, saliva and semen.
Injuries
Splashes of blood or other body fluids
If you are injured by a needle or other
sharp item:
A splash is where body fluid makes contact
with your skin or gets into your eyes, mouth or
nose. If the splash occurs on broken skin, treat
this as an injury.
1 Remove gloves if you are wearing them.
2 Rinse the area thoroughly with running
water.
3 Clean the injury with soap and water,
alcohol rub or a skin disinfectant such as
iodine if it is available.
4 Report the injury immediately to your
supervisor, and follow your organisation’s
policies and procedures which may
include going to your doctor.
5 Fill in an accident report form.
If you are not wearing gloves and you touch
a surface that may be contaminated, for
example, a toilet seat, treat this as a splash.
Dealing with splashes
1 Immediately rinse the area with running
water. (To rinse an eye, hold your face
under running water for several minutes,
with the affected side down to prevent
the water running into the other eye.)
2 Clean your skin with soap and water and/
or dry your skin and use an alcohol-based
hand rub.
3 Report the incident to your supervisor.
4 Follow your organisation’s policies and
procedures which may include filling in an
incident report form.
Clean wounds as soon as possible.
36 Workbook
Careerforce – Issue 2.2 – Dec 2013
Demonstrate knowledge of infection control requirements in a health or disability setting
First aid
Spills of blood or other body fluids
A spill is where blood or other body fluids are
exposed on a surface and present a risk to
people. For example, a spill could be on the
floor or a surface other people may touch such
as a table or toilet seat.
A spill often involves a splash at the same time.
Deal with the splash first, but try to isolate and
contain the spill. For example, you could warn
others and keep a door closed, until you can
deal with the spill.
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Dealing with a spill
1 Wash your hands and put on gloves.
2 Wipe up as much of the spillage as
possible using toilet paper or paper towels
(especially for larger spills).
3 Dispose of the paper or towels, either
down the toilet or putting them
into a plastic bag. Double bagging is
recommended.
4 Clean the area with soap and water or
disinfectant, in accordance with your
organisation’s policies and procedures.
5 Remove your gloves and put them in a
plastic bag before disposing of them in
the rubbish bin.
6 Change any soiled clothing.
7 Wash and dry your hands thoroughly.
Demonstrate knowledge of infection control requirements in a health or disability setting
Protect yourself by wearing gloves when you clean up
blood spills.
Careerforce – Issue 2.2 – Dec 2013
Workbook
37
Reporting
An important part of infection control
involves reporting the risks.
What are the risks if you have an
infection?
What is the reporting procedure?
If you are unwell and you go to work, the risk
is that you will pass on the infection to the
people you work with: your colleagues and the
people you support.
Infections such as influenza are easily passed
on and can be dangerous, especially for people
who have other medical conditions.
What is the reporting procedure?
A procedure for “calling in sick” will be outlined
in your organisation’s policies and procedures.
If you become unwell during your working day,
contact your supervisor and report how you
are feeling.
What are the risks if the person you
support has an infection?
Report any change in the condition of the
person you are supporting, which may be in
a verbal or written report to your supervisor,
given during a handover or in a team meeting.
Follow the policies and procedures of your
organisation.
What are the risks to your
organisation?
In a facility such as a hospital or rest home,
special policies and procedures will be in place
to control the spread of infection.
What is the reporting procedure?
Follow your organisation’s policies and
procedures. Remember that the effectiveness
of the control will depend on how early the risk
is reported and then managed.
An infection will lead to a change in condition
of the person you are supporting and is a risk
to his or her health.
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Demonstrate knowledge of infection control requirements in a health or disability setting
Reporting
What are the risks of an accident
or incident?
If you have been injured by a needle or other
sharp item, this is an accident.
If you, or others, have been splashed with body
fluids or exposed to a contaminated area, this
is an incident.
A spill of body fluid presents an infection
hazard to you and others.
What is the reporting procedure?
All injuries, accidents, incidents and hazards
need to be reported by filling in the
appropriate form. Your organisation might
have separate forms for these topics or use a
combined form.
There is a lot of information about these
forms and how to fill them out in the
workbook for 20830 V3 Maintain a safe and
secure environment in a health or
disability setting.
If you haven’t already seen the forms used
by your organisation, ask your supervisor to
show you.
Person
report
injury
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:
Demonstrate knowledge of infection control requirements in a health or disability setting
Careerforce – Issue 2.2 – Dec 2013
Workbook
39
Learning activity
Read each situation listed below and think about the risks.
Find and check your organisation’s policies and procedures to see how the situation needs to be reported.
Write your answers in the boxes beside each situation.
Situation
What is the risk?
How should you report it?
You have a busy day ahead with lots of home visits to support
people. As you get ready for work you find you have a headache
that’s getting worse quickly. You feel like you might be running a
temperature.
A rest home resident has a nose bleed while she is in the dining
room. There is blood on the table and on the floor.
You support Mr Roberts, a diabetic who gives himself injections of
insulin twice a day. You didn’t notice that he left a used syringe on
his bedside table instead of putting it in the sharps container. You
prick your finger on the needle.
A relative has arrived to visit one of the people you support in a rest
home. You notice that this visitor is coughing a lot and doesn’t look
very well.
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Demonstrate knowledge of infection control requirements in a health or disability setting
POWE
R
Rewind to page 7
POWE
R
HOME
HOME
ENTE
R
ENTE
R
BACK
Do you agree with your initial thoughts and ideas?
BACK
OPTIO
N
STOP
REV
PAUS
E/PLA
Y
STO
P
REV
FF
P EV
PR
PAUS
E/PLA
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PREV
NEXT
SEAR
CH
OPTIO
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T
NEXT
SEAR
CH
EJEC
T
If yes, do you have anything you would like to add?
If no, what would you change?
Demonstrate knowledge of infection control requirements in a health or disability setting
Careerforce – Issue 2.2 – Dec 2013
Workbook
41
Completion and assessment
Congratulations!
You have come to the end of the workbook for Unit Standard 20826 V3:
Demonstrate knowledge of infection control requirements in a health or disability setting.
Please check over all the activities in this workbook to make sure you have completed them.
Trainee’s Assessment
Demonstrate knowledge of infection control requirements in a health or
disability setting
Your assessment is next
You need to complete the trainee’s
assessment successfully to be credited
with this unit standard.
Your assessor will sign you off once
you have completed the assessment
tasks satisfactorily.
US 20826 V3
Level 2
Credits 3
Name_______________________________________
Your assessor is able to give you a
“Certificate of completion” for
achieving this unit standard.
All rights reserved. Careerforce (Community Support Services ITO Ltd) is the owner of the
copyright of this publication. Other than as permitted by the Copyright Act 1994, no part of
this publication may be reproduced, copied or transmitted in any other form or by any means,
without prior written permission of Careerforce, PO Box 25 255, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Acknowledgements
Careerforce would like to thank the people who have
contributed their time and effort into creating this workbook by:
• Research and content validation.
• Advice and expertise.
• Testing the activities.
• Sharing personal experiences.
• Appearing in photographs.
Disclaimer: The images contained in these workbooks are visual illustrations only and are not representative of actual events or personal circumstances.
© Careerforce – Issue 2.2 – Dec 2013