Orientation Program for Infection Control Professionals

Module 8: Occupational Health

Orientation Program for Infection Control Professionals

Table of Contents
Module 8: Occupational Health.......................................................................................... 1 Objectives ..................................................................................................................... 1 Overview ...................................................................................................................... 2 Key Concepts ................................................................................................................ 2 Occupational Health Program.......................................................................................... 2 Methods ....................................................................................................................... 5 Documentation and Reporting .................................................................................... 10

ICP Orientation Program

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Orientation Program for Infection Control Professionals

Module 8:
Objectives

Occupational Health

At the completion this module the ICP will: 1. Demonstrate a knowledge of the Occupational Health program within the facility 2. Describe the screening process for infectious diseases of healthcare workers on hiring 3. Identify the post exposure policy for infectious diseases including blood borne pathogens and occurrence reporting 4. Determine the process for staff contact tracing following contact with an infectious disease. 5. Demonstrate a knowledge of the Respiratory Protection Program 6. Determine the IC involvement with the Influenza Immunization Program 7. Display knowledge of work restrictions in the workplace 8. Identify at least five education sessions HCW should attend in order to protect themselves against occupational hazards

Number of hours
Key Concepts 2 hours Methods 1 hour

Required text
APIC Text: 3rd Edition, Chapter 26 - Occupational Health, Chapter 27 - Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens, Chapter 107 -Immunization in the Healthcare Worker, Chapter 109- The Pregnant Healthcare Worker or Bennett JV and Brachman PS. Bennett and Brachmans Hospital Infections. 5th Edition William R Jarvis: Philadelphia; Pages 48, 68, 168 and 171 Heymann DL (ed.). Control of Communicable Diseases Manual, 19th ed. Washington, DC: American Public Health Association; 2008 BCCDC Communicable Disease Control Manual. Blood and body fluid management protocol (March 20102) http://www.bccdc.ca/dis-cond/comm-manual/CDManualChap1.htm

Other readings
1. Public Health Agency of Canada. Infection control guidelines for the prevention and control of occupational infections in health care. Can Commun Dis Rep 2002;28S1:1-264 http://dsppsd.pwgsc.gc.ca/Collection/H12-21-3-28-1E.pdf 2. Public Health Agency of Canada. Infection control guideline for preventing the transmission of bloodborne pathogens in health care and public services settings. Can Commun Dis Rep 1997(supp);23S3:1-43 http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/ccdrrmtc/97vol23/23s3/index.html 3. Canada Communicable Disease Report (CCDR-OH), Prevention and Control of Occupational Infections in Canada: http://dsp-psd.pwgsc.gc.ca/Collection/H12-21-3-28-1E.pdf

Occupational Health Module

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Orientation Program for Infection Control Professionals

Overview
The infection prevention considerations when implementing an occupational health program is to provide a safe environment for patients/residents/clients and healthcare personnel. Recommended practices need to be based on how infections are transmitted in a healthcare facility and should address minimizing the worker as a potential source or host.

Key Concepts
The elements of an Occupational Health (OH) Program include surveillance, education, immunization, injury prevention, work restriction and the prevention of the transmission of infection. To address these elements a knowledge of certain key concepts are required and include pre-employment screening, post exposure follow-up, contact tracing, respiratory protection program, influenza immunization program, and work restrictions. In certain sections you will be asked to address the responsibilities assigned to the Occupational Health Program versus the responsibilities for the Infection Prevention and Control Program. If you determine that the ICP has no responsibility for this activity, just indicate not applicable (NA).

Occupational Health Program

Name and Contact Information Office Location of OH&S Is there an Occupational Health Program in the facility? Who is in Employee Wellness nurse? Who is the Occupational Health and Safety Officer? Who is the Communicable Disease Control Nurse?

Pre-employment screening for communicable diseases

Screening program Identify the process for screening for the following communicable diseases Diseases OH pre-employment screening Action ICP Action of OHS Measles Varicella Tuberculosis (TB) Hepatitis B Tetanus

Occupational Health Module

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Orientation Program for Infection Control Professionals

Screening program Identify the process for screening for the following communicable diseases If the ICP is responsible for the screening, indicate where you would find previous immunization records:

Post-exposure interventions
Action of ICP What does post-exposure mean in relation to bloodborne pathogens? What is the importance of post exposure follow up to Infection Control? What policies would you need to review in order to counsel the HCW who sustains a needle stick injury? Action of OHS

Contact tracing
What does contact tracing mean? Who is considered a contact? For example in a case of infectious respiratory TB? Is there a criterion for determining if a significant exposure to TB has occurred? Action of ICP If it was determined that an infectious case of TB was on a Patient Care Unit, who would be involved in determining the exposure and follow up required? Who does contact tracing for the patient? Who does the contact tracing for the HCW? Action of OHS

Occupational Health Module

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Orientation Program for Infection Control Professionals

Action of ICP Who does the contact tracing for the family?

Action of OHS

Respiratory protection program

Respiratory Protection Program What is a Respiratory Protection Program? Why is the existence of a Respiratory Protection Program important to IPC? Is there a Respiratory Protection Program available for HCWs in your facility? Do you know the different types of respirators/masks and indications for use. Give an example of each. Are you fit tested? If yes, indicate your respirator type. If no, you will need to get fit tested. Location: Contact information: Mask Respirator

Type of respirator:

Influenza immunization program

Determine the components of the program What is an influenza immunization program? Why is it important to have this program in your facility? Why is it important for the ICP to be involved? Action of ICP If there is an influenza immunization program, describe the involvement of ICPs & OH as it relates to HCWs and to patients/clients/residents. When does planning for the annual influenza program start? Action of OHS

Occupational Health Module

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Orientation Program for Infection Control Professionals

Work restrictions
Define work restrictions. Determine if your facility has HCW work restriction for the following conditions. Action of ICP Diarrhea of unknown etiology Influenza Herpes simplex Conjunctivitis Action of OHS

Education
Education Determine if there are educational sessions for HCWs for the following topics: Personal Protective Equipment RPAP and PCRA Safety Sharps Program Workplace Safe Practices Waste Management Enhancing HCW acceptance and availability of vaccines Managing HCW with dermatitis and those who are immunocompromised Action of ICP Action of OHS

Methods
Discuss with your mentor and review specific policies for your healthcare facility.

Scenario 1A
A new case of tuberculosis (TB) was just diagnosed in a patient. This patient has been in a four bed ward for five days Questions What should the nurse do once the isolation precautions are initiated? Action of ICP Action of OHS

Occupational Health Module

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Orientation Program for Infection Control Professionals

Questions What would be the first steps the ICP would take when notified of this case? What is the role of the ICP in contact tracing for this scenario? Who initiates staff follow-up? What pre-employment screening endeavour will be important at this time? Who initiates family community follow-up? What aspect of the Respiratory Protection Program is important at this time? How do you determine if the HCWs have received appropriate education on the type of PPE and type of isolation required for this patient?

Action of ICP

Action of OHS

Scenario 1B
An Environmental Service worker is about to enter an Airborne Precaution room. (This patient has been diagnosed with TB). The worker is putting on PPE. You are auditing the practices of the worker. Questions When should hand hygiene be performed? What PPE must be worn? If the HCW applies a mask, what would you do? If the HCW applies a respirator, how would you determine if the HCW did a fit check? Actions of ICP Actions of OHS

Occupational Health Module

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Orientation Program for Infection Control Professionals

Questions How will you know that the room is an airborne isolation room?

Actions of ICP

Actions of OHS

Scenario 2
An Environmental Service worker is stripping a bed and is pricked with a sharp. Assess the situation to see what needs to be carried out Questions What should the healthcare person do first? Healthcare personnel who come in contact with and body fluids should be vaccinated against? Who do you report the incident to? What type of follow-up post exposure? How do we practice sharp safety? Actions of ICP Actions of OHS

Scenario 3
A nurse who is working on the medicine floor has onset of a high fever, chills, and body aches Questions What should the nurse do? Whom should the nurse notify? Is there any contact tracing required on this Unit? Is there any post-exposure follow-up required on this Unit? Actions of ICP Actions of OHS

Occupational Health Module

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Orientation Program for Infection Control Professionals

Questions How would you determine the influenza immunization update of other HCWs on this Unit? Should the nurse have a nasopharyngeal swab done? Who does it? What are the work restrictions relating to influenza like illness? Is there follow-up with the family physician required?

Actions of ICP

Actions of OHS

Scenario 4
While working a nurse experiences severe abdominal cramping and has three episodes of explosive diarrhea and one episode of vomiting. Questions What should the nurse do? Actions of ICP Actions of OHS

Whom should the nurse inform? Is there any contact tracing required on this Unit? Is there any post-exposure follow-up required on this Unit? Consider the bathroom used by the nurse. Is it necessary to collect a stool sample from the nurse, and who does this? What type of samples would you recommend? What are the work restrictions required for gastrointestinal illness?

Occupational Health Module

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Orientation Program for Infection Control Professionals

Scenario 5
A nurse on a medicine unit has just confirmed scabies on a patient who has been an inpatient for a week. Questions What should the nurse do first? What isolation precautions should be initiated? When can the isolation precautions be discontinued? Who would be considered as having significant exposure? How would you determine contact tracing? Who would you do contact tracing on? Who should be informed? What work restrictions apply to the nurse? Actions of ICP Actions of OHS

Scenario 6
A nurse splashes secretions into her eye during suctioning of a patient in ICU. Questions What should the nurse do following a significant exposure? Who should be informed about the incident? What type of PPE should be use during suctioning? If appropriate PPE was not used what can you do to ensure that this does not happen again? Actions of ICP Actions of OHS

Occupational Health Module

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Orientation Program for Infection Control Professionals

Documentation and Reporting

Policy
Determine if there is a policy which describes the reporting protocol for infectious diseases which require contact tracing such as for the case of HCWs who have occupational exposure to TB. Determine if the ICP has a responsibility to document the actions taken if consulted on an occupational exposure.

Documentation

Occupational Health Module

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PICNet welcomes your comments and feedback on these modules. For comments or inquiries, please contact:
Joanne Archer, Education and Best Practices Coordinator Provincial Infection Control Network of BC (PICNet) 555 West 12th Avenue, Suite #400 East Tower, Suite #400 Vancouver, BC V5Z 3X7 Tel: 250-964-4824 Fax: 604-707-2649 Email: [email protected] Website: www.picnet.ca

June 2012