Top Tips for Infection Control

Lisa Crowe, Cert Ed VN, and marketing communications manager at NewGenn, gives you some handy hints to instill effective hygiene policies within your practice

As more pets are affected by MRSA, concern amongst pet owners is increasing, putting practice infection control and hygiene procedures under the spotlight. Every member of the practice team bears a responsibility for infection control, any policy is only as good as its weakest link. But its an area where the vet nurse can play a critical role. So, where should you start Here are some tips

Brush up your own knowledge of hygiene techniques. You can take a correspondence course, such as NICS, or check on the best practice guidelines set down by bodies, such as the BVNA, BSAVA or RCVS

Carry out risk assessments for each area of your practice. Include all areas including offices, reception and clinical areas.

Prepare an infection control action plan. This should set down an integrated system of infection control to suit your practice. It should cover the following areas

Hand hygiene and system procedures to be followed between patients

Environmental system and hygiene

Patient hygiene and system

Instrument hygiene and system

Procedures for dealing with patients with a communicable and or zoonotic infections

Procedures for invasive surgery minor and major

Standards for environmental ward cleaning

Standards for cleaning of each separate area including the whole practice environment such as offices and corridors as well as clinical areas

Segregation and correct disposal of all waste

Ensure all staff understand and adhere to the Action Plan. Monitor its use and repeat the risk assessment every six months or sooner if the need should arise, to ensure all staff are sticking to it and understand their responsibilities. Remember to train all new members of staff from receptionists to administration to student VNs

Make sure clients know and understand the work your practice is doing in this area. Display relevant certificates and qualifications in prominent places such as the reception and waiting areas to reassure them

If youd like help with carrying out risk assessments or preparing infection control actions plans, NewGenn has prepared a special template which takes you through the process step by step.

NewGenns NICS NewGenn Infection Control System is the only infection control correspondence course designed for the veterinary sector. The course has been prepared by a highly experienced veterinary nurse, who has 14 years experience and who has lectured in veterinary science for several years. The course is free to NewGenn customers with a charge to non customers.