Manual for Male Circumcision under Local Anaesthesia

Male circumcision under local anaesthesia
Version 3.1 (Dec09)
Chapter 8
PREVENTION OF INFECTION
SUMMARY
• Health care workers need to follow recommended practices for preventing
infection, in order to protect themselves, other health care workers, and
their patients from exposure to HIV and other infections.
• Hand hygiene greatly reduces the number of disease-causing
microorganisms on hands and arms. It is the most important way of
limiting the spread of infection. If hands are visibly soiled, they should be
washed with soap and water; otherwise, an alcohol-based handrub should
be used.
• Personal protective equipment should be worn to protect both patients
and staff from infectious microorganisms.
• Gloves should be worn: when there is a reasonable chance of hand
contact with blood or other body fluids, mucous membranes, broken or cut
skin; when performing any invasive procedure; and when handling
contaminated items. A new pair of gloves should be worn for each new
patient contact, to avoid spreading infection from person to person.
• Hypodermic (hollow-bore) needles can cause injuries to clinic staff at all
levels: workers can be stuck by hypodermic needles during patient care,
cleaning and housekeeping. Staff may be exposed to needle-stick and
sharp injuries when washing soiled instruments and disposing of waste
material.
• All staff should be trained in the proper handling of sharp instruments.
• Soiled instruments and other reusable items can transmit disease if not
properly cleaned, disinfected and sterilized (or high-level disinfected).
High-level disinfection destroys all microorganisms, except some bacterial
endospores. Sterilization destroys all microorganisms, including bacterial
endospores.
• Proper waste management is important to prevent accidental injury to
people who handle waste items, and to prevent the spread of infection to
health care workers and the local community.
• Post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV with antiretroviral drugs may reduce
the risk of infection after exposure to HIV. It will be effective only if it is
started as soon as possible after exposure (within 72 h) and if the full
course of treatment is adhered to.
• Post-exposure prophylaxis for hepatitis B can reduce the risk of hepatitis
B infection.
Prevention of Infection Chapter 8-1