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Safety First: Standard Precautions in the Operating Department.

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Safety First: Standard Precautions in the Operating Department.

Contents
Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………2
What are Standard Precautions…………………………………………………………….2
When are Standard Precautions used.........................................................................3
Who do Standard Precautions affect in the Operating Department.............................4
What methods are used in Standard Precautions………………………………………..5
Author’s Experience………………………………………………………………………….8
Summary……………………………………………………………………………………...9
References………………..…………………………………………………………………11

Safety First: Standard Precautions in the Operating Department.
Introduction.

In this assignment, the author will discuss the role of the …show more content…

* Hand washing is the most important method of preventing the spread of infection by contact (Ayliffe et al 1999). The Nottingham University Trust Policy on Hand Hygiene (2009) states that there are three types of hand hygiene, the first is ‘routine hand hygiene’ which involves the use of soap and water for 15 – 20 seconds or the application of alcohol hand rub until the hand are dry. The second is ‘hand disinfection’ which should be used prior to an aseptic procedure by washing with soap and water and applying alcohol hand rub afterwards. The third is ‘surgical hand washing’ which is the application of a microbial agent to the hands and wrists for two minutes. In addition to which a sterile, disposable brush may be used for the first surgical hand wash of the day although continued use will encourage colonisation of microbes. The third example is the most appropriate to any O.D.P undertaking the surgical role as it is the best way for the surgical team to eliminate transient flora and reduce resident skin flora (World Health Organization 2010). The first and second are important to any O.D.P undertaking any other role within the Operating Department as this is the best way to reduce the transient microbial flora without necessarily affecting the resident skin flora

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