5. The personal hygiene practices and protective equipment that protect against exposure. Vector transmission includes pathogen transfer from one living organism to another by animals and insects. The pathogens can be transferred to humans or other animals and the most common vectors are ticks, mosquitos, lice, mites, and fleas. All these forms of transmission can take place in a cosmetology setting if proper precautions are not followed including sanitation, personal hygiene, and protective equipment.
Fomite transfer of pathogens does not always result in transmission to others. Certain factors determine whether living pathogens will be transmitted through fomites: 1. The amount of pathogen transferred to the object or surface 2. Temperature, wind, humidity, or precipitation factors. 3. The health conditions, immunity, or other mitigating factors of the person encountering the pathogen. 4. The level of deposited pathogen required to cause infection.
SANITATION FOR INFECTION CONTROL
Here are some additional details for sanitation to supplement the definitions and rules covered previously. Cleaning The first step of sanitation is simply cleaning with soap and water or cleaning products to remove as much visible dirt and debris as possible. Many pathogens are eliminated using proper cleaning techniques which include hand washing and applying antiseptic hand sanitizer. Antiseptics include alcohol, iodine, and peroxide, and can be used safely to clean skin. The Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board includes a statement from the CDC in the Laws and Rules section for Infection Control (OAC, n.d.). They also include a link to the CDC.gov site for further information. The statement they included stresses the importance of hand hygiene for infection control as follows: Practicing hand hygiene is a simple yet effective way to prevent infections. Cleaning your hands can prevent the spread of germs, including those that are resistant to antibiotics and are becoming difficult, if not impossible, to treat. On average, healthcare providers clean their hands less than half of the times they should. On any given day, about one in 31 hospital patients has at least one healthcare- associated infection. Walls, doors, floors, workstations, and any surfaces with high contact should be cleaned daily or when dirt and debris is noted. Floors should be swept or vacuumed before any disinfecting agents can be applied or they will not be effective. You should always stay up to date with new guidelines or regulations on sanitation and disinfection of your salon. OSHA, CDC and your state board are great resources for this information. CDC cleaning guidance for Covid-19 There have been a series of continuing surges due to mutations that cause new strains of the Covid-19. The CDC guidance for Covid-19 is followed by all states and gives accurate data on their websites stress cleaning as the first step, followed by disinfecting. Here are some additional areas to consider (CDC,2021): ● The virus that causes COVID-19 can land on surfaces. It’s possible for people to become infected if they touch those surfaces and then touch their nose, mouth, or eyes. In most situations, the risk of infection from touching a surface is low. Disinfection Bleach, alcohol, phenolics, and quintenary ammonium, are the common chemicals used in disinfectants. It is important to determine which disinfectant to use for what purpose and on what surfaces. Different application, safety, and sanitation guidance will be found on manufacturing and EPA labels and must be followed for the product to be safe and effective.
● Cleaning with products containing soap or detergent reduces germs on surfaces by removing contaminants and decreases risk of infection from surfaces. ● If no one with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 has been in a space cleaning once a day is usually enough to remove virus that may be on surfaces. This also helps maintain a healthy facility. Develop your plan ● Determine what needs to be cleaned Consider the type of surface and how often the surface is touched. Generally, the more people who touch a surface, the higher the risk. Prioritize cleaning high-touch surfaces at least once a day. If the space is a high traffic area, or if certain conditions (listed above) apply, you may choose to clean more frequently or disinfect in addition to cleaning. Many cleaning products also include disinfectants. If you want to use cleaning products with disinfectants, choose those products listed on EPA List N. ● Clean high-touch surfaces Clean high-touch surfaces at least once a day or as often as determined is necessary. Examples of high-touch surfaces include pens, counters, shopping carts, tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, stair rails, elevator buttons, desks, keyboards, phones, toilets, faucets, and sinks. ● Clean and disinfect the facility when someone is sick If less than 24 hours have passed since the person who is sick or diagnosed with COVID-19 has been in the space, clean and disinfect the space. If more than 24 hours have passed since the person who is sick or diagnosed with COVID-19 has been in the space, cleaning is enough. You may choose to also disinfect depending on certain conditions or everyday practices required by your facility. If more than 3 days have passed since the person who is sick or diagnosed with COVID-19 has been in the space, no additional cleaning (beyond regular cleaning practices) is needed. * Conditions include highly populated areas, poor ventilation, or to safeguard individuals who are immunocompromised or have specific health predispositions. Be sure to check with up- to-date guidelines for your county and the state as they may change due to rising case numbers. Bleach Bleach, sodium hypochlorite, also has been used for years, before the EPA, so it is not registered. Bleach is an effective disinfectant but can damage plastic surfaces and corrode metal surfaces and tools. Protective gloves, masks, and eye wear are suggested to avoid irritation.
Book Code: COH0325A
EliteLearning.com/Cosmetology
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