Healthcare-associated infections are a major public health problem with significant impacts on morbidity, mortality and quality of life (WHO, 2017).

Sometimes you just have to go back to the basics. Whether you’ve been an administrator for 40+ years or 4 months, preventing the start and spread of disease is a top priority. Prime Source GPO offers a wide selection of vendors who specialize in sterilizing and stabilizing the environments of long term care facilities.

Top 5 Basic Rules:

 

Wash those hands!

The importance of proper hand hygiene cannot be understated: more diseases are spread via the human hand than any other surface on earth. Print out signs about the proper hand washing procedures as stated by the CDC, laminate them, and hang them up every 20 feet in your facility.

 

Bed knobs and Broomsticks

Frequently touched surfaces, such as door knobs, can attract millions of strains of bacteria in a matter of moments. Continually wiping down surfaces with antibacterial disinfectants is a critical step in keeping your facility infection-free.

 

 

 

Put Some Prep into PPE

Personal Protective Equipment refers to the articles of clothing and/or equipment worn or used by staff and residents to prevent the spread of infection. Stock up on articles like gloves, gowns, goggles and more to combat the spread of infection.

 

It’s All in the Placement Details

If a patient or resident becomes infected, you can either isolate them in a private room to prevent the spread of their illness, room them together with residents suffering the same ailment, or, as a last resort, have them lodge with lower-risk patients. Of course, sensitivity is paramount when relocating a suffering resident. Calmly explain why they must be relocated, notify the family, and make every effort to keep them as comfortable as possible – and their room disinfected regularly!

 

Communication

By creating an open dialogue with your staff, patients and families about infection control, you can help decrease the risk of spreading infections. Everyone needs constant reminders about the importance of taking the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of infection. Create awareness about the proper precautions to prevent the spread of infection.

Administrators can lead their facility toward a safer, healthier future with proper infection control standards in place.

Prime Source GPO reps would love to join you in the fight against infection.