Infection Control (Disinfection)
Every year, human lives are lost because of the spread of infections in hospitals. Healthcare workers can take steps to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. These steps are part of infection control.
Proper hand washing is the most effective way to prevent the spread of infections in hospitals. If you are a patient, don't be afraid to remind friends, family and health care providers to wash their hands before getting close to you.
General Guidelines
- Covering coughs and sneezes
- Staying up-to-date with immunizations
- Using gloves, masks and protective clothing
- Making tissues and hand cleaners available
- Fold or roll linen so that the dirtiest area is inside
- Hold and carry dirty linen away from your body
Hierarchy of Infection Control
- Administrative controls
Administrative controls use to reduce risk of exposure, infection and disease thru policy and practice.
- Environmental (engineering) controls
Environmental controls use to reduce concentration of infectious bacilli in air in areas where air contamination is likely.
- Personal respiratory protection
Personal respiratory protection use to protect personnel who must work in environs with contaminated air.
Sterilization
Sterilization is a process intended to kill all microorganisms and is the highest level of microbial kill that is possible. Sterilizers may be heat only, steam, or liquid chemical.
Infection Control Industry
The latest report of MarketsandMarkets says the infection control will grow at a steady pace of around 6% and will reach $14.0 billion by 2017 from $10.5 billion in 2012. The major players in this market are Getinge (Sweden), Steris (U.S.), Medivators (U.S.), Advanced Sterilization Product (U.S.), 3M (U.S.), Belimed (Switzerland), Cardinal Health (U.S.), Kimberly-Clark (U.S.), Sterigenics (U.S.), Sakura (Japan), Synergy Health (U.K.) and Nordion (Canada).
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