Breaking the Chain of Infection
The world around us is changing. Because of SARS CoV2/COVID-19, we are reminded daily of the basics that keep you and me at our healthiest. These are time tested and proven ways to manage most pathogens and the risk of infection. There are many different germs and infections inside and outside of the healthcare setting. Despite the variety of viruses and bacteria, microbes spread from person to person through a common series of events. Therefore, to prevent pathogens from infecting more people, we must break the chain of infection. No matter the germ, there are six points at which to break the chain prevent infections. The six links include the infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible host.
A short video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBX3jj2uUjo ) on breaking the chain of infection from the Association for the Healthcare Environment (AHE) and the Association of Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) provides reliable guidance on the way to stop germs from spreading is by interrupting this chain at any link. Following this guidance results in a person becoming a “chain-breaker:”
- Cleans and incorporates excellent and frequent hand washing
- Stays up to date on vaccines (including the flu shot)
- Covers coughs and sneezes
- Stays home when sick
- Follows the rules for standard and contact isolation
- Uses personal protective equipment the right way
- Cleans and disinfects their own spaces after use
- And use antibiotics wisely to prevent antibiotic resistance.
Practicing hand hygiene is a simple yet effective way to prevent infections. Cleaning your hands can prevent the spread of germs, including those that are resistant to antibiotics and are becoming difficult, if not impossible, to treat.
When we need good guidance, we often turn to reputable and authoritative sources. These authorities have demonstrated effective, evidence-based practices. We come to rely on these authorities, they dispel rumors, cut through obfuscation, and tell us the straight truth. Often the truth is not what we want to hear, but rather, what we need to hear. Some of these sources we come to rely on are: CDC; CMS; The Joint Commission; World Health Organization; APIC; AHE; AORN; Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council (HLAC); Hohenstein Institute (RAL certification) and the Textile Rental Services Association (TRSA).
The previous two articles of this EvSOP series noted that it’s too easy to deviate from the basics, and for a variety of reasons. That is why EvSOP drew so much positive attention as it was filling a void and connecting the often-overlooked details. The Project revealed that Human Factors Engineering (HFE) had been often overlooked or discarded outright. HFE incorporates the design of products, programs, systems, or services, in such a way that, when followed, removes the frequency and opportunities to deviate from basic best practices. Enter EvSOP. As mentioned, a group of experts in their craft within healthcare, joined to form a scientific workgroup focused on environmental services/ infection prevention, and the optimization of cleaning through evidence-based facts.
Within this website (see the Experts page HERE) we introduce you to a group of individuals whose sole goal was doing what’s right for the patient and for the system that supports that care. Joining this team was a group of healthcare facilities, ready to embark on a journey and implementation of these thoughts and ideas crafted into a playbook of best practices. This compilation within the Playbook brought together resources from around the world into one place. These facilities were ready and willing to implement the various features and provide honest feedback over the next two years to ensure this living, breathing, and scalable Playbook was genuinely world-class.
Written by John Scherberger, published in the April 2020 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine.
