Hospital-acquired infections have always been a problem in healthcare settings for years. Different types of germs are responsible for several diseases. Neglecting it could lead to dangerous effects on health, including both the general public and workers. In addition to spreading rapidly, infections might also pose life-threatening situations. 

Therefore, one must protect the health and well-being of everyone. This includes patients, medical staff as well and visitors. Infection prevention shouldn’t be neglected at any cost. For instance, just following an easy rule like wearing hygiene gloves will make a huge difference. Furthermore, to help you, here are different ways to prevent infections from spreading.

Ways You Can Prevent Infection from Spreading in Healthcare Settings 

Placing greater focus on infection prevention has become a necessity for hospitals. Already searching for ways to stop infections from spreading? Well, here are some best tips for you:

1. Hand Hygiene 

The first step to preventing infection from spreading is hand hygiene. It includes cleaning your hands to get rid of germs that cause infections. From children to elders, people of all ages must wash their hands properly. The best option is to choose a high-quality antibacterial hand soap. 

For enhanced safety, you can use gloves since they help to keep infections at bay. However, when using, remember to change gloves between patients. If using disposable gloves, dispose of them properly. Overall, hand hygiene is the least expensive way of reducing the risks of infection. 

2. Personal Protective Equipment

Looking for more ways to prevent the spread of infection? Another way is to wear personal protective equipment. a part of the basic precautions, wearing the appropriate PPE helps to stop the spread of infections. The most often used personal protective equipment for infection protection is:

• Masks
• Face shields
• Hygiene gloves 
• Gowns
• Eye protection 

In hospitals, make sure to opt for certified personal protective equipment. Wearing these, you no longer have to worry about harmful infections that would otherwise be difficult to prevent.

3. Environmental Cleaning 

Environmental cleanliness is another step in preventing infection. Because healthcare settings receive heavy foot traffic, the contaminated surfaces can increase the spread of infections if not cleaned properly. Therefore, to stop the infection from spreading, one must maintain proper cleanliness on surfaces.

This also includes equipment that patients and medical staff come into contact with. Therefore, everything should be thoroughly cleaned, including:

• Beds after every patient use or discharge
• The bedside area
• Each piece of medical equipment

Set rules like cleaning daily or weekly, using appropriate cleaning products like Chlor Clean tablets. Pay close attention to surfaces that receive high foot traffic, like toilet flushes, taps, door handles, etc. 

4. Healthy Habits

Another way to prevent the spread of infection in healthcare settings is by adopting healthy habits. This includes:

• When coughing or sneezing, keep a safe distance and cover your mouth.  
• Dispose of used tissue or disposable gloves in trash bins. 

• Keep infected hands away from your mouth, nose, and eyes.
• Wash your hands after handling contaminated products.

• Distance yourself physically from people who are infected. 
• Educate children, young people, staff, patients and every visitor in the healthcare setting. 

How Often Should I Change My Gloves to Maintain Proper Infection Control?

Be it hygiene gloves or any other, just wearing gloves isn’t enough. One must also focus on changing them more often. Wondering how often you should change gloves? Well, to avoid the spread of germs or infections, gloves must be changed between patient care episodes. Also, hand hygiene should be performed both before putting on and removing gloves.

Apart from disposable gloves, other medical equipment must also be disposed of or disinfected after each use. For instance, you can use a colour-coding scheme. Even though it is not required by law, it is generally considered a good practice. Use different colour-coded equipment in different areas. For instance, red for restrooms and toilets, yellow for sinks, blue for general areas, etc.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Gloves for Infection Control

When talking about disposable gloves, all you think about is simply opening the box and putting them on. Isn’t it? Well, little do you know that this is where you end up making mistakes. This, as a result, disrupts the health of both patients and healthcare workers. To help you, here are the common mistakes that you must avoid when using gloves: 

1. Choosing the Wrong Glove

In a healthcare setting, professionals must select the appropriate gloves. Inappropriate glove use wastes resources and raises the possibility of the spread of infections. Moreover, glove selection should be based on the type of setting, the task to be performed, the likelihood of exposure to bodily fluids, the length of usage and the glove material. For instance, non-sterile gloves should be used when in contact with infectious materials.

2. Not Performing Hand Hygiene 

Whether you are using disposable or hygiene gloves, not performing hand hygiene won’t help. Hand hygiene is a step that shouldn’t be missed at all. It is a word that includes surgical antisepsis, regular hand washing with soap and water, and hand cleansing using an alcohol-based antiseptic hand rub. 

3. Improperly Fitting 

For healthcare settings, it is crucial to wear gloves that fit properly, be they are hygiene or disposable gloves. Gloves must reach above the isolation gown’s wrist. Additionally, make sure to properly remove and discard them after every use in the proper waste container.

A Step Towards Managing the Prevention of Infection 

We at MedGuard are the leading supplier of top-notch hygiene products and medical equipment. From hygiene gloves and hand towels to masks and more, we have everything you need. Prioritise safety, we offer reliable and quality products only.  

To ensure you are not short of supplies, we always keep ourselves well-stocked with the world’s best brands. We keep our charges minimal and provide prompt delivery. Moreover, for more assistance, you can rely on our customer support team. We have helped thousands over the years and still take pride in doing so.