Decontaminating your environment You have a responsibility to control exposure to pathogens by decontaminating your environment and tools . Remember that pathogens collect any time an object or surface is exposed to air. Doorknobs, handles, telephones, money, light switches, cash registers – all are surfaces touched by co-workers and clients that may harbor harmful pathogens, so all must be decontaminated to some degree. Cleaning is only the first step of the process. The following sections review the meaning of sanitation, sterilization, and disinfection – terms that are commonly used interchangeably, but have very different meanings and results and require different procedures. Sanitation Sanitation is the lowest level of decontamination. Sanitation will reduce some germs on a surface but will not kill all organisms. Sanitation provides a minimum level of cleanliness, protecting public health by preventing the spread of some, but not all, bacteria and fungi. It is important to note that instruments that are sanitized are not sterile. Countertops and workstations should also be sanitized by wiping them down with soap and water; this process should not be confused with (and does not replace) disinfection, which requires an appropriate disinfectant cleaner. Remember that soap and water will kill most of the bacteria on your hands, workstation, or chair, but will not kill all bacteria or fungal spores.
The term “sanitation” is most often used in reference to cleaning the hands. Hand washing is absolutely essential to controlling bacteria and the most effective way to prevent the spread of infectious agents from one person to another.
Hands cannot be sterilized, because it is impossible to remove all microorganisms from the surface of the skin. Water and soap, in fact, are not sterile and can introduce new bacteria and infectious agents.
Sanitation will reduce germs on a surface but will not kill all organisms.
Your hands are populated by both resident and transient organisms. Resident organisms are a normal part of your skin’s environment. They grow and multiply in an oxygenated environment and rarely cause infection or harm the individual who is their host. These organisms cannot be removed easily by hand washing. Sanitation controls minimize exposure to transient organisms. These organisms, like E. coli and salmonella, cause dangerous infections in humans. In contrast to resident organisms, transient organisms cannot live long on the surface of our skin. They function poorly in an oxygen environment, usually surviving less than 24 hours. Fortunately, these organisms can be removed easily through the process of hand washing, using friction, soap and water. ● Dry your hands using a paper towel or air dryer. If possible, use your paper towel to turn off the faucet. ● Always use soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty. ● If soap and clean water are not available, use an alcohol- based hand rub to clean your hands. Alcohol-based hand rubs significantly reduce the number of germs on skin and are fast-acting. When using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer: ● Apply product to the palm of one hand. ● Rub hands together briskly. ● Rub the product over all surfaces of hands and fingers until hands are dry.
Wash your hands
Hand washing is like a “do-it- yourself” vaccine. It’s the best way to prevent infection and illness . It involves five simple and effective steps: Wet, lather, scrub, rinse, and dry. Regular handwashing, particularly before and after certain activities, is one of the best ways to remove germs, avoid getting sick, and prevent the spread of germs to others.
(http://www.cdc.gov/ handwashing/)
Clean hands prevent infections, and keeping hands clean prevents illness at home, at school, and at work. Hand hygiene practices are key prevention tools in healthcare and human services settings, in daycare facilities, in schools and public institutions, and for the safety of our food. In health care settings, hand washing can prevent potentially fatal infections from spreading from patient to patient, from patient to health care worker, and vice-versa. The basic rule in the hospital is to cleanse hands before and after each patient contact by either washing hands or using an alcohol- based hand rub. The same is true for salons, cosmetologists, and their clients. Wash your hands, the right way! ● Wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap. Use warm water if it is available. ● Rub hands together to produce lather and scrub all surfaces. ● Continue rubbing hands for 15-20 seconds. Need a timer? Imagine singing “Happy Birthday” twice through to a friend. ● Rinse hands well under running water.
(http://www.health.state.mn.us/handhygiene/wash/ fsgermbuster.html)
Page 53
Book Code: CFL1025
EliteLearning.com/Cosmetology
Powered by FlippingBook