ipc

Question 1

links in chain of infection

Answer 1

infectious agent
reservoir
portal of exit
mode of transmission
portal of entry
susceptible host

Question 2

role of each of the links in chain of infection

Answer 2

IA - microorganism that can cause infection e.g. BBV
reservoir - where IA lives and grows i.e. people & equipment
portal of exit - how IA leaves reservoir e.g. body fluids
mode of transmission - how IA spread from one site to another e.g. direct contact
portal of entry - how IA enters the body i.e. inoculation
susceptible host - anyone

Question 3

actions we can use to break links in chain of infection

Answer 3

SICPs - standard infection control precautions

Question 4

when should these actions be used

Answer 4

by all staff in all care settings at all times for all patients whether infection known to be present or not

Question 5

name the SICPs most relevant to dentistry (8)

Answer 5

hand hygiene
personal protective equipment
safe management of care environment
safe management of care equipment
safe management of blood & body fluid spillages
safe disposal of waste (including sharps)
occupational safety: prevention and exposure management (inc sharps)
respiratory & cough hygiene

Question 6

how should bloody & body fluid spillages be managed & explain stages

Answer 6

• local policy must be followed
• appropriate PPE must be worn i.e. apron, mask, gloves, eye protection
• organic matter to be removed using disposable absorbent towels, dispose in healthcare waste
• apply appropriate granules or solution to disinfect area leave for required time
• granules to be removed using scoop & dispose of in healthcare waste
• area to be cleaned using water & general purpose detergent then dried with paper towels or air dried
• all waste inc PPE to be disposed in healthcare waste
• perform hand hygiene

Question 7

agents used when dealing with spillage

Answer 7

sodium hypochlorite
dichloroisocyanurate

Question 8

contact time for chlorine releasing agents

Answer 8

3mins
or
according to manufacturer’s instructions

Question 9

conc of granules used

Answer 9

10,000 ppm av cl i.e. 10,000 parts per million available chlorine

Question 10

orange waste stream examples

Answer 10

gloves
mask
pt bib
aprons / gowns
gauze / CWR / CWB
contaminated wrapping
rubber dam
clinell wipes

Question 11

black waste stream

Answer 11

glove boxes
hand hygiene paper towels
paper
instrument wrapping (uncontaminated)

Question 12

temporary closure mechanism to be used when

Answer 12

container is left unattended or is not in use

Question 13

how is temporary closure mechanism engaged

Answer 13

1 click for temp closure
2 clicks for permanent

Question 14

yellow boxes with orange lid and blue lid

Answer 14

orange - all other sharps
blue - pharmaceuticals e.g. 1/2 cartridge of LA

Question 15

who is responsible for disposal of sharps

Answer 15

user operator creator of sharp is responsible for it i.e. no one other than the person who has used the sharp should be disposing of it

Question 16

who carries out risk assessment following sharps

Answer 16

NOT STUDENT
supervising clinical
DN team leader
named nurse

Question 17

if you receive sharps injury & pt refuses to consent for bloods

Answer 17

same protocol is followed whether pt consents to blood or not
pt must never be pressured into giving consent to have bloods taken

Question 18

received sharps injury what do you do

Answer 18

• immediately stop procedure & investigate area
• inform pt injury has occurred
• make sharp safe
• first aid; encourage bleeding, wash injured area, dress with waterproof dressing
• notify supervising clinician
• risk assessment carried out by appropriate individual i.e. not person injured
• contact occupational health
• consent pt for bloods (taken within GDH)
• paperwork
• datix

Question 19

online system used to record accidents in GDH

Answer 19

datix
info required - injured student
patient injured
student details as witness
matriculation no

Question 20

what happens pt risk assessment paperwork after sharp’s injury

Answer 20

risk assessment MUST be destroyed
info is strictly confidential
info from risk assessment must not be written in pt case notes

Question 21

name the WHO 5 moments of hand hygiene

Answer 21

1. before touching patient
2. before clean / aseptic technique
3. after procedure or body fluid exposure risk
4. after touching patient
5. after touching patient surroundings