Prevention of Infection in Healthcare Workers

Why Should You Attend:

The CDC, OSHA, CMS and NIOSH have set guidelines, regulations and requirements for healthcare organizations to ensure the prevention of exposures and incidents that could lead to infection on the job. These guidelines describe how facilities should actively identify and limit the exposure of staff to infectious diseases in the performance of their assigned duties.

In this course, attendees will be introduced to various regulations and guidelines dictated by the related governing body and understand the need for compliance with these requirements.

The employee health plan is the foundation of efforts designed to reduce risks of infections and bloodborne pathogen exposures in a facility. The adherence to standard precautions and sharps safety by staff is necessary to prevent contact with blood and other potentially infectious material. Assuring that staff members are adequately screened for infectious disease and immunity on employment and provided with appropriate immunizations on an annual basis, such as influenza immunization, is an important infection prevention component of the employee health program.

Other critical elements of an effective employee health program will also be highlighted in the webinar along with best practices for pregnant personnel, laboratory personnel, and emergency response personnel. The course will assist participants in implementing a program that meets the requirements of accrediting and regulatory agencies and local and state requirements to prevent disease transmission in staff.

Learning Objectives: At the end of the presentation, attendees will be able to

• Describe three key components to an employee/occupational health program.
• List the infectious diseases that pose a risk to healthcare workers.
• Identify the sources for recommendations on employee/occupational health.
• Describe the post-exposure protocol for bloodborne pathogens.

Areas Covered in the Webinar:

• Components of an employee/occupational health plan
• List of infectious diseases, both viral and bacterial, that can cause infections in staff:
• Tetanus/diphtheria
• Measles
• Mumps
• Rubella
• Chickenpox
• Hepatitis A, B, C
• Human immunodeficiency virus
• Tuberculosis
• Conjunctivitis – bacterial and viral
• Herpes viruses: varicella zoster (chickenpox), herpes zoster, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex, epstein-barr virus
• Gastrointestinal infections (Clostridium diffcile, norovirus)
• Meningococcal infections
• Staphylococcal infections – Methicillin sensitive Staph aureus and MRSA
• Streptococcal infections including group A
• Influenza
• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
• And newly emerging pathogens such as MERS-CoV, Ebola, H7N9
• Screening and immunization schedules for infectious diseases
• Post-exposure prophylaxis for bloodborne pathogens
• Post-exposure screening and treatment for TB
• Sharps safety program and needlestick reduction devices
• Management of job-related illnesses and exposures (work restrictions, re-assignments)
• Maintenance of records, data management and confidentiality
• Precautions for pregnant personnel, laboratory personnel, and emergency response personnel
• The Americans with Disabilities Act as related to employee health

Who Will Benefit: This webinar will provide valuable assistance to:

• Infection preventionists and employee/occupational health nurse (or those assigned to this position) in the following healthcare settings:
• Acute care hospitals
• Rehabilitation facilities
• Behavioral health facilities
• Long-term care facilities
• Medical and nursing personnel assigned to oversee the employee health program
• Home healthcare personnel overseeing the employee health program for the company

David R Woodard
Independent Consultant, Infection Prevention

David Woodard is currently an independent consultant in Infection Prevention and Control. Additionally, he is a faculty member in the School of Public Health at the University of Nevada Las Vegas and is the Certificate in Infection Prevention certificate program director. He obtained his Master of Science in Microbiology from New Mexico State University and is a licensed clinical laboratory scientist (CLS). He holds the Certification in Infection Prevention (CIC) and is a Certified Professional in Hospital Quality. He is a member of both APIC and SHEA and is an elected Fellow in the Society of Healthcare Epidemiology of America (FSHEA). He has been published in multiple peer reviewed journals including the Journal of Hospital Infection and is a reviewer for several professional journals. He is also a speaker for various organizations both locally and nationally. His current research interests include sterilization and disinfection, and Antimicrobial Stewardship.

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