Reflection activity: Thinking of your current or a past workplace provide specific examples of each hierarchy of control – see Appendix B.
Elimination- Door locks on kitchen pantry, preventing the contamination of supplies/ equipment.
Substitution- requiring client’s and family to ask staff to recover items needed that are found in the pantry.
Engineering control- Ipad/ tablets that are at each patients bedside that allows the client to order, pick and request meals
Administrative control- clients and family isolated from entering pantry, requiring nurses to collect items requested by client/ family.
PPE- hand hygiene, chain of transmission and IPAC training
1. Elimination
The hospital implementing policies to eliminate the presence of infectious pathogens by thoroughly screening patients for contagious diseases before admission. In cases where an infection is identified early, patients are isolated or treated to prevent introducing the infectious agent into the hospital environment.
2. Substitution
Replacing invasive procedures with non-invasive ones can reduce infection risk. For instance, instead of using a central venous catheter for a patient who doesn’t absolutely need it, a peripheral IV line can be used, minimizing the risk of infection,
3. Engineering Controls
The use of negative pressure rooms for patients with highly contagious airborne infections like tuberculosis or COVID-19 helps contain pathogens and prevent their spread to others
4. Administrative Controls
Organizing training healthcare workers on proper hand hygiene, enforcing infection control protocols, and ensuring that staff receive regular updates on the latest procedures for handling infectious patients. Regular audits and hand hygiene reminders through signage ensure compliance.
5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Healthcare workers use proper equipment (gloves, masks, face shields, and gowns) when dealing with patients who have infections like MRSA and more