As a family caregiver or healthcare provider, you understand the importance of maintaining a contamination-free environment. This is especially true in medical settings where the spread of contagion can be catastrophic if it’s not controlled properly. Fortunately, there are strategies and techniques you can use to create a successful contamination control strategy that helps protect patients, providers and visitors alike. In this blog post, Zorayr Manukyan shares some tips for creating an effective contamination control strategy that all caregivers should keep in mind .
Zorayr Manukyan’s Tips For Creating A Contamination Control Strategy
1. Create a Contamination Control Plan: Before you begin caring for a family member, Zorayr Manukyan recommends creating a contamination control plan to ensure their safety and well-being. This plan should include steps for minimizing the risk of disease or infection spread between the caretaker, family members, friends, and visitors. Consider establishing specific rules for hand hygiene practices (e.g., using hand sanitizers), regular disinfection of surfaces, monitoring symptoms in all housemates, restricting visitors’ access to certain areas within the house, developing protocols for handling personal items from outside sources (e.g., groceries or mail), wearing protective gear (e.g., masks or gloves) while providing care services, and ensuring proper ventilation in the home.
2. Practice Social Distancing: Ensure that all visitors to the home maintain a safe distance and practice other social distancing measures (e.g., wear masks, avoid physical contact). Additionally, limit trips outside of the home for any activity related to caregiving – including doctor’s appointments or errands. Ask family members and friends to leave items at the door and do not allow them into any part of the house unless it is completely necessary.
3. Implement Regular Cleaning Routines: Establish a cleaning routine for frequently touched surfaces in order to reduce the risk of contamination from bacteria or viruses. Areas such as handles, switches, bathroom fixtures, sink faucets and countertops are vulnerable spots for spreading germs. Regularly disinfect these surfaces with a bleach solution or EPA-approved cleaning product. Additionally, clean bedding and laundry frequently, and ensure that all family members are following the same routine when it comes to washing their hands.
4. Educate Family Members: Zorayr Manukyan recommends making sure that all family members are aware of the importance of contamination control measures in order to protect themselves and other people at home. Teach them how to properly wash their hands, cover their coughs/sneezes, disinfect commonly touched surfaces, and wear protective gear (e.g., masks or gloves) if necessary. Empowering family members with knowledge will help ensure they take steps towards creating a safe environment within the household while providing caregiving services.
Statistics And Real Life Example
1. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), handwashing can reduce the risk of infection by up to 50%.
2. Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces can reduce the spread of germs within a household or medical facility by up to 80%.
A family caregiver has recently been taking care of an elderly relative with compromised immune system, they implemented a contamination control strategy which included regular cleaning routines, social distancing measures, and educating each family member on how to properly wash their hands and wear protective gear. This resulted in reducing the spread of disease within the home and ensuring that his elderly relative stays healthy.
Zorayr Manukyan’s Concluding Thoughts
Caregivers must be vigilant about environmental cleaning and disinfection to protect their patients from harmful microorganisms. By following the tips Zorayr Manukyan has outlined in this blog post, you can develop a robust contamination control strategy that will help keep your patients safe. Remember to always consult with infection prevention experts when developing or implementing any new protocols.