INFECTION CONTROL AND COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

INFECTION CONTROL AND COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

POLICY     The Ship Group Community Services is committed to providing an environment that is as safe as possible for clients and staff. Communicable (infectious) diseases are a risk to both clients and staff. Staff need to be aware of and comply with program health policies and guidelines related to infection control to ensure their own personal safety and that of clients. To assist staff in minimizing or eliminating infectious/communicable diseases the following guidelines were adopted. The Ship Group Community Services complies with all state, federal, and local regulations governing the identification, control, reporting, and investigation of infectious/communicable diseases. (See Appendix D: Infectious Disease Management)

GUIDELINES

Within the program, infection control aims to promote the use of strategies and procedures to prevent and minimize the spread of infection.

Standard precautions such as:

• hand washing

• client immunizations

• staff immunizations

• maintenance of a clean, safe environment

• the use of personal protective equipment, such as vinyl or latex gloves when there is no allergy identified

• an antibacterial cleansing agent

• treating all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious

These precautions form the basis for the prevention and control of infection in healthcare settings. Screening for evidence of immunity (e.g. hepatitis B), instituting preventative measures, and managing situations involving occupational exposure to infectious diseases are also key components for the control of infections.

HAND WASHING

Staff and clients alike are encouraged to wash their hands using anti-bacterial soap after bathroom use. Hands should be washed with warm water and soap, utilizing friction, for a period of at least 20 seconds. If hands are not visibly soiled, when soap and water are not available, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer may be utilized.

IMMUNIZATIONS AGAINST COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

All clients admitted to the program are recommended to have completed the necessary series of childhood immunizations measles, mumps, rubella, Diphtheria/Tetanus-DT, Diphtheria / Pertussis (whooping cough)/Tetanus-DTP.

Should the series of immunizations be incomplete, the client will be encouraged to receive the immunizations as recommended by their pediatrician or primary care physician and prior to admission.

Staff will be educated on the Hepatitis B Virus during orientation and periodically throughout their tenure. While staff will not be required to take the Hepatitis B Vaccination; they are required to sign the Hepatitis B Acknowledgement Form declining the vaccination.

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES (STD’S) AND HBV

Clients that have sexually transmitted diseases (syphilis, gonorrhea, herpes, etc.), or those who are HIV, HBV and/or HVC positive are requested to disclose such information voluntarily to the Program’s Privacy Officer/Qualified Professional in the interest of health, safety and duty of care (to both clients and staff).

A client is not required to disclose an STD or to be immunized for HBV-Hepatitis B Virus, however, the program reserves the right to decline admission to the program and to review each individual situation on a case-by-case basis.

Standard Precautions will be taken to safeguard clients and staff when handling body fluids, regardless of health conditions.

STAFF AND SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES OR HBV

Staff are asked, but not required, to voluntarily disclose their health status, regarding HIV. For staff known to have HIV, standard precautions will be taken to safeguard clients and other staff. The Ship Group Community Services is not liable for clients or staff that disclose or for those who refuse to disclose their personal health information regarding HIV, HBV or HVC.

A staff person is not required to be immunized for HBV-Hepatitis B Virus; however, the program reserves the right to remove the staff from paraprofessional, providing employment opportunities as available in other areas of the program.