Healthcare workers strive and work hard to help us get better. They work with risky diseases and deadly infection causing bacteria, virus and other microbes. They are at a constant risk of contracting dangerous infections that not only threaten their own health and safety but put their families, coworkers and other patients at risk. For this reason, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), a federal department under the Department of Health, has made it mandatory for all doctors, physicians, nurses, paramedics, laboratory workers and all other support staff in the healthcare sector to undergo the infection control training, a set of procedures and guidelines which helps deal with infections and stopping their spread.
The training courses are very important and are required to attain permit to work in the country. Listed below are the top 6 reasons why infection control training is necessary for the society.
• To provide a safe and high quality environment to the patients and the working staff
A good, clean working environment is important for the staff and a good, hygienic healing environment is important for the patients. The key to this is to maintain the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene. The training course aims at explaining to the medical staff the importance of a neat, clean, safe and a high quality environment. Cleaning, disinfecting, sterilization are the keys to maintaining a safe and sterile environment, safe for the workers and the patients.
• To prevent the risk of infections amongst the staff members
Working with diseases and infections ups the risk of contracting them as well. It is important to stay protected and keep others protected by taking the required steps. The training course prescribes the steps and measures the staff is required to undertake to prevent the risk of spread of infection. Vaccinations prior to joining and periodical checkups are a part of the training. Use of protective gear is also promoted when the need arises.
• To protect the community from the infections that might originate from the healthcare facility
It is important to contain the infections and nip them at the bud. If there is a chance of an outbreak, the proper protocols must be in place to avoid the infection from spreading out.
• To prevent the transmission of disease causing microbes
Cleanliness and hygiene prevent the transmission of the disease causing microbes. It is mandatory for the staff to know how to prevent the transmission and they must also educate the fellow workers and the patients on how to reduce the transmission.
• To prevent the risk of post procedural infections
Post procedures, the patients are weak and susceptible to infections and diseases. They have to be kept safe and free from infections. This is possible only if good hygienic standards are maintained in the facility.
• To lower the cost of healthcare services
The cost of prevention is lower than the cost of cure.
Infection control training is not just to keep the healthcare workers safe and sound but it also benefits the society by promoting a safe and clean environment.
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