INFECTION CONTROL
Now that you have read about the dangers of microbes, you are ready to learn how you can destroy
them and prevent disease from spreading in the salon. As you know, microbes are everywhere,
including in the air around you, so infection control is not an easy task.
Infection control is the term used to describe efforts to prevent the spread of disease and
kill certain or all microbes.
Infection control is divided into three main categories: sanitation,
disinfection and sterilization. Sanitation standards apply to removing dirt to aid in preventing the
growth of microbes. Disinfection standards require that all tools and implements, including those
that have come in contact with blood or body fluids, must be free from a broad spectrum of
microbes. Sterilization standards mean that all microbes must be killed or destroyed.
Very important also to the area of infection control is the term efficacy,
which means "ability to produce results" or "effectiveness." In relation to
disinfectant products, standards have been established that require efficacy
labels on all disinfectants to inform the user about what the product is
"effective in fighting against." An example might be a disinfectant that
states "effective against human Hepatitis B Virus and HIV-1." As you gain
more information in this chapter, you will notice that you will be required
to use products based on the efficacy label.
Reading the manufacturer's directions is another important step in ensuring infec-
tion control practices. You will notice that methods will vary from product to
product. Times for immersion (soaking) in a disinfectant, storage practices and
application methods will be different for each product. The only way you can be
sure that a product will do what you want it to is to FOLLOW THE DIREC-
TIONS. It cannot be repeated often enough that two steps are necessary for effec-
tive infection control: READ THE LABEL and FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS!
Important Vocabulary
52
SALON FUNDAMENTALS
"Did I hear you
say, `Read the
label and
follow the
directions'?"
·
Infection control
involves the steps you take to prevent the spread of disease and kill certain or all microbes.
·
Sanitation, disinfection and sterilization
are the 3 main categories of Infection Control.
·
Sanitation means
to remove dirt and debris to aid in preventing the growth of microbes. Sanitation practices
remove dirt, but do not kill microbes.
·
Antiseptics
arrest or prevent the growth of microorganisms on the skin.
·
Disinfection
means to destroy or kill bacteria and a broad spectrum of viruses on nonporous surfaces, such as implements.
·
Sterilization
means to destroy or kill all microbes.
·
Bloodborne pathogen disinfection
is required for all tools and implements that have come in contact with blood or
body fluids. This type of disinfection requires the use of an EPA-registered disinfectant labeled as effective against HIV and
HBV or tuberculocidal.
·
In relation to disinfectant products, standards have been established to requi re efficacy labels on all disinfectants
to inform the user on what the product is "effective in fighting against." The only way you can be sure that a product will do
what you want it to is to READ THE LABEL AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS.
