Communicable Disease Control – Population, Public and Indigenous Health

1. Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) Communicable Disease Control – Population, Public and Indigenous Health

2. Infection Prevention & Control • Hand hygiene is the single most important action that decreases the spread of infection • Hand hygiene is done with: • - Alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) • - Regular liquid soap, water and disposable hand towels Communicable Disease Control – Population, Public and Indigenous Health

3. Hand hygiene • Alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) • Approved AHS product • Use sufficient ABHR to rub all surfaces of hands (2-3 pumps) including between fingers and the base of the thumbs for a minimum of 15 seconds • Regular liquid soap, water and disposable hand towels • Wet hands, apply soap, rub all surfaces for minimum 15 seconds • Rinse with clear, running water • Recommended if hands are visibly soiled • Apply AHS approved hand creams to maintain skin integrity • Glove use is not a substitute for hand hygiene Communicable Disease Control – Population, Public and Indigenous Health

4. Four Moments of Hand Hygiene • Before each client contact or contact with their environment • Before clean/aseptic procedures (such as immunization) • After blood and body fluid exposure risk (such as after immunization) • After contact with the client or their environment AHS Hand Hygiene Policy and Procedure https://extranet.ahsnet.ca/teams/policydocuments/1/clp-hand-hygiene-ps-02-policy.pdf https://extranet.ahsnet.ca/teams/policydocuments/1/clp-hand-hygiene-ps-02-01-procedure.pdf Communicable Disease Control – Population, Public and Indigenous Health

5. Hand hygiene at large immunization sites • Examples only, not limited to these occasions: • Start and end of shift • Before and after contact with the client • Before handling immunization supplies (entering vaccine bags), including the set up of immunizing stations • After vaccine administered and before handling other equipment, such as papers and pens Communicable Disease Control – Population, Public and Indigenous Health

6. IPC for vaccine administration • Clean and disinfect clinic table/ work surface with appropriate low-level disinfectant (e.g., accelerated hydrogen peroxide, quaternary ammonium compounds) • - This is a two step procedure - clean first, and then disinfect • - Always start the disinfection stage with a clean cloth • Cover table/work station with a large clean drape • Use a small drape in front of immunizing staff as a clean work area • - avoid placing papers/pens, computers on this area • Place appropriate puncture resistant biohazard container for use at point of contact to dispose of sharps immediately after use Communicable Disease Control – Population, Public and Indigenous Health

7. Preparing for immunization in large public clinic sites • Maintain small drape as the clean surface for the immunization station (needles, syringes, swabs, etc) • When documenting ensure the clean surface is not contaminated by either paperwork or computer. • When station not in use: • - Drape with a clean drape (e.g., coffee times, meal times) • Drapes used to cover the immunization stations can be reused for the day • - Ensure they are folded so the inside portion maintains a clean field Communicable Disease Control – Population, Public and Indigenous Health

8. Preparing for immunization at large public clinic sites • During the clinic: • Immunization station and tables are cleaned and disinfected at the start of the clinic and at the end of the clinic, not at the beginning and end of staff shifts • Cleaning and disinfection of the station during the shift needs to be done only if the area becomes dirty/contaminated/wet • At that time, the area would be cleaned, disinfected and set up • At the end of the day, for sites that are only there for the day: • Clean and disinfect station per IPC Guidelines but not set up for the next day •  For sites where the campaign is ongoing & stations used next day: • Area cleaned, disinfected & set up with fresh supplies and draped in preparation for the next day. Communicable Disease Control – Population, Public and Indigenous Health

9. Cleaning of blood and body fluids • Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be worn • Gloves must be worn and if there is the possibility of splashing, further PPE (gown, mask and eye protection) may be required • Clean area by blotting blood/body fluids with disposable towels, discarding in a regular plastic-lined waste container • In addition, for non porous surfaces, clean area with soap & water once clean-up is completed, tie garbage bag and place in regular garbage • After initial cleaning, disinfect with a fresh solution of bleach (1 part bleach:9 parts water) or use a low level disinfectant • Thoroughly clean equipment (e.g. mop &handle, pail) before re-use • Wash hands with soap and running water Communicable Disease Control – Population, Public and Indigenous Health