Healthy Tips for Home and Work Carolyn Fiutem, MT(ASCP), CIC Infection Prevention Officer, TriHealth 10/9/12
How do germs spread? Germs can spread in two main ways. They can be spread by our dirty ten picking up germs and putting them on the surfaces and people we touch; From person to person in respiratory droplets from coughs and sneezes.
How can we help prevent the spread of germs? Clean your hands often (soap & water, alcohol gel/foam) Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth ( T-zone ) Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze using tissues or your elbow, not your hands Blow and throw! use tissues only once and throw away Disinfect frequently touched surfaces
How can we help prevent the spread of germs? Be up to date with your vaccinations Stay home from work when you are sick. Maintain a healthy lifestyle sleep, exercise, nutrition, water, manage stress. Try not to use others things phone, tools, equipment etc. Remind those around you to do the same (family, co-workers)
HANDWASHING ACTION 1. Stand away from sink and turn on water; adjust temperature. 2. Wet hands/wrists, holding hands down over sink, allowing water to run to fingertips. 3. Use friction/rub to lather, covering nail beds, under nails, around wrists, fingers & rings. 4. Rinse thoroughly, holding them under running water; remove them slightly raised. 5. Dry hands/wrists with paper towel, from fingertips to wrists. 6. Use clean paper towel to turn off faucet. RATIONALE 1. Avoid accidental splashing; moisture really carries bugs 2. Water flowing up is really contaminated, re-contaminating the hands. 3. Remove transient bacteria and make hands as clean as possible. Get the nooks and crannies. 4. Remove all soap; no contaminated water to flow back from wrists to fingers. 5. Work from clean to dirty. 6. Faucet is contaminated. What touched it last?!
Alcohol Hand Gel 1. Dispense on squirt or an amount the size of a quarter in your hand. 2. Spread to both palms 3. Rub fingertips in alcohol in your palms. 4. Rub alcohol all over your hands until it air dries.
Do I have the Flu? COLD vs. FLU Know the Difference SYMPTOMS COLD FLU Fever Rare Usual can be 100-102 or higher, lasting 3-4 days Chills Uncommon Common Muscle Aches and Pains Uncommon or mild Common can be severe Headache Uncommon Common can come on suddenly and severe Feeling Tired & Weak Sometimes usually mild; you don t feel tired Common can be moderate to severe; can last for 2-3 weeks. You can feel extreme tiredness that occurs suddenly Coughing Common mild to moderate hacking Common can become severe and last for several weeks Sneezing Common Sometimes Stuffy Nose Common Sometimes Sore Throat Common Sometimes Chest Discomfort Sometimes can be mild to moderate Common can be severe
Food Safety: Preparation, Serving, Storage Reusable Shopping bags machine or hand wash after each use. Put meat, poultry and fish in separate plastic bags. Do not place your reusable bags on your counter top. Wash your hands! Keep your scene clean wash your cutting boards, dishes, utensils, and countertops after preparing each food item and before going to the next food. Olympic Towel Tossing consider using paper towels to clean up. If using cloth towels, wash them often on the hot cycle. If you use kitchen sponges, replace them frequently.
Food Safety: Preparation, Serving, Storage Fruits and Veggies thoroughly rinse ALL fresh produce under running tap water. Never use detergent or bleach to wash fresh fruits or veggies. Rub firm-skin fruits and veggies under running tap water or scrub with a clean vegetable brush while rinsing with water. Never place cooked food on the same plate that held the uncooked food. Cook foods thoroughly. Grazing table always use utensils for self-serve foods placed out; avoid hands reaching into bowls. Keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot. Refrigerate prepared foods soon after eating.
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