Tips and Educational Activities

No matter what your position is, you can help improve infection prevention practices at your facility. The following are recommended activities and tips for promoting aseptic technique at your site:

• Investigate whether antiseptics are being properly used. Look at current practices to see whether special staff education is needed. Ask yourself: Are antiseptic solutions handled in ways that reduce contamination? Are items left soaking in antiseptic solutions? Are antiseptics instead of disinfectants being used on objects? Is there a commitment to avoid using dangerous products, such as compounds containing mercury?

• Hold regular in-service training. All providers should receive updates on clinical techniques and information on a regular basis. Information about good infection prevention practices--including all aspects of aseptic technique--should be a part of this in-service training.

When training clinical staff on proper preparation of the surgical/procedure site, be as specific as possible. You can use a pelvic model to demonstrate how to apply an antiseptic solution to the vagina and cervix and how to properly drape a client when preparing a sterile field.

Health care workers are often confused about the differences between antiseptics and disinfectants and often use these solutions inappropriately. Make sure that proper use of antiseptic solutions is part of any in-service training.

• Hold staff orientations. Everyone at your facility--from doormen, to receptionists, to medical staff, to administrators--are part of the infection-prevention team at your site. Through work with our quality-improvement tools, EngenderHealth has found that all staff at a facility benefit from periodic orientations to basic clinic services and critical infection-prevention techniques.

• Be a good role model. You can set a good example. Model good behavior during the course of your day and encourage your staff or colleagues to do the same. If you see a practice at your site that may be promoting infections, be sure to speak up.

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