[Grace]

Think of a time you or a colleague did not follow IPAC practices. Discuss the situation and potential negative outcomes for clients related to not following the appropriate IPAC practices.

(Post your answer in the discussion below)

[Grace]

Hello Everyone,

I hope you are all looking forward to starting the IPAC course and are ready for more learning.

This course is asynchronous, with 1 module each week.
Each week, you are required to review a module and all its contents (readings, videos, activities and the knowledge check), post in discussions and respond to at least one of your peers.
Instructions are provided in the module each week as to what activity is required for each module. The instructions are posted within the module/discussion post section, so be sure to access each module each week to avoid missing any.
There will be an assignment in the final week, and instructions will be provided as well.

You are expected to participate in and complete the modules on a weekly basis. The discussion post is being monitored to ensure participation and receipt of the certificate.
We understand that your other commitments may prevent you from completing this for some weeks. If you miss a week, please catch up the following week, in addition to that week’s content.

I look forward to all the great ideas and postings for each weekly module.

Thank you,
Grace

[Deborah]

Hi Everyone,
Discussion Board Post:
So, one time while working in a long-term care home during a gastroenteritis outbreak, a coworker went into a sick resident’s room without wearing gloves or a gown, even though there were contact precautions signs indicating the need for protective gear. They thought it would be fine because they were only in there for a minute. After leaving, they didn’t wash their hands and went on to help other residents. This could have easily spread the virus to others, especially since elderly people are more at risk of getting seriously ill, as a lot of gastroenteritis illnesses are spread through surfaces and hands. It shows how skipping even small safety steps can put everyone in the home at risk.

Thanks,
Deborah

[Shivam]

Hi Deborah!
Thats an excellent point you made. Working as a PSW in LTC facilities for over 5 years, I’ve noticed that a lot as well and particularly during when a resident is put on isolation and proper PPE is required by anyone to enter their rooms. I’ve seen a lot of times PSWs wont wear any PPE especially during the meal tray delivery time. I’ve also seen some nurses not wearing proper PPE while giving out meds to those residents placed on isolation in their rooms. I believe that following proper handwashing and taking an extra minute or so to use PPE can make a significant difference in breaking the chain of infection.

[Shivam]

Hi everyone!
I observed a coworker who did not adhere to proper IPAC procedures while I was working as a PSW in a LTC facility. She did not change her gloves between resident rooms while she was providing personal care to several of them. When healthcare professionals go from one resident or environment to another, they must take off their gloves, wash their hands, and put on new gloves.
Cross-contamination and the spread of illnesses like MRSA, C. diff, and other infections are increased when healthcare workers don’t change their gloves. LTC residents are particularly vulnerable because they are mostly elderly and have compromised immune systems. The facility might have had breakouts, skin infections, or the spread of diseases as a result of this procedure.

[Author]

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