Family Planning

Make Infection Prevention a HabitWith each and every client, ahealth care provider shouldthink, “What infectionprevention is needed?” Anyclient or provider may have aninfection without knowing itand without obvious symptoms.Infection prevention is a signof good health care that canattract clients. For some clientscleanliness is one of the mostimportant signs of quality.The 4 Steps of Processing Equipment1.2.3.4.Decontaminate to kill infectious organisms such as HIV and hepatitis Band to make instruments, gloves, and other objects safer forpeople who clean them. Soak in 0.5% chlorine solution for10 minutes. Rinse with clean cool water or clean immediately.Clean to remove body fluids, tissue, and dirt. Wash or scrub with abrush with liquid soap or detergent and water. Avoid bar soapor powdered soap, which can stay on the equipment. Rinse anddry. While cleaning, wear utility gloves and personal protectiveequipment—goggles, mask, apron, and enclosed shoes.High-level disinfect or sterilize.óóHigh-level disinfect to kill all infectious organisms except somebacterial endospores (a dormant, resistant form of bacteria)by boiling, by steaming, or with chemicals. High-level disinfectinstruments or supplies that touch intact mucous membranes orbroken skin, such as vaginal specula, uterine sounds, and glovesfor pelvic examinations.Sterilize to kill all infectious organisms, including bacterialendospores, with a high-pressure steam autoclave, a dry-heatoven, chemicals, or radiation. Sterilize instruments such asscalpels and needles that touch tissue beneath the skin. Ifsterilization is not possible or practical (for example, forlaparoscopes), instruments must be high-level disinfected.Store instruments and supplies to protect them from contamination.They should be stored in a high-level disinfected or sterilizedcontainer in a clean area away from clinic traffic. The equipmentused to sterilize and high-level disinfect instruments and suppliesalso must be guarded against contamination.Infection Prevention in the Clinic31524Family Planning Provision