PRINCIPLES OF INFECTION CONTROL FOR CHILD CARE PROFESSIONALS

ELEMENT 1: THE RESPONSIBILITY TO ADHERE TO SCIENTIFICALLY ACCEPTED PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES OF INFECTION CONTROL AND TO MONITOR THE PERFORMANCE OF PERSONNEL

Element 1 presents a general overview of basic regulatory requirements pertinent to the practice of infection control in out-of-home child care programs and a discussion of the responsibility of program administrators to assure compliance with good standards of practice.

Upon completion of this element, the learner will be able to:

• Describe the roles of all those responsible for the practice of infection control in the child care setting.
• List several infection prevention techniques included in regulations in a child care setting;
• State the specific benefits gained by adherence to scientifically accepted principles and practices of infection control;
• Describe the enforcement of the practice of infection control in the child care setting and consequences of noncompliance with standards.

ELEMENT 2: MECHANISMS OF TRANSMISSION OF PATHOGENIC ORGANISMS IN THE CHILD CARE SETTING AND STRATEGIES FOR PREVENTION AND CONTROL

Understanding the epidemiology of these infections, as well as their modes of transmission, can allow child care professionals to incorporate measures to reduce spread and provide a healthier and safer environment for the attendees and staff. This element presents concepts in the epidemiology and prevention of disease transmission in the child care setting.

Upon completion of this module, the learner will be able to:

• Describe how pathogenic organisms may be spread;
• Identify the factors which influence susceptibility to infection;
• Define strategies to reduce the transmission of pathogenic organisms in the child care setting;
• Describe how infection control concepts are applied in practice.

ELEMENT 3: ENGINEERING AND WORK PRACTICE CONTROLS WHICH REDUCE THE RISK OF WORKER EXPOSURE TO POTENTIALLY INFECTIOUS MATERIAL IN CHILD CARE SETTINGS

This element of the course presents information on environmental controls, specialized devices, and work practice techniques which significantly reduce the risk of exposure to infection.

Upon completion of this section, the learner will be able to:

• Define the terms engineering controls and work practice controls;
• Identify engineering controls and work practice controls which reduce the risk of exposure to infection;
• List exposure prevention strategies;
• Describe child care procedures and settings that involve an increased risk of exposure to infectious material.

ELEMENT 4: SELECTION AND USE OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT WHICH IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT WORKER CONTACT WITH POTENTIALLY INFECTIOUS MATERIAL AND APPLICATION OF STANDARD PRECAUTIONS IN A CHILD CARE SETTING

This section of the course provides information regarding the appropriate use of protective equipment in the child care setting as a means of reducing exposure to infectious pathogens.

Upon completion of this element, the learner will be able to:

• Define Personal Protective Equipment;
• Identify specific personal equipment that is used to protect workers from exposure to infectious pathogens;
• State specific circumstances that call for the use of gloves to prevent worker contact with potentially infectious material;
• Describe the procedure for removing contaminated disposable gloves from hands;
• Specify how Standard Precautions are applied in the child care setting to prevent exposure to infectious pathogens.

ELEMENT 5: CREATION AND MAINTENANCE OF A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR CHILD CARE THROUGH THE APPLICATION OF INFECTION CONTROL PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES FOR CLEANING AND DISINFECTION

Regular and thorough cleaning of the environment can prevent the transmission of diseases in child care settings. This section of the course provides information regarding the proper disinfection of child care equipment and the maintenance of the child care environment.

Upon completion of this module, the learner will be able to:

• Specify procedures for disinfecting child care equipment which will effectively maintain the integrity of the equipment and assure child and staff safety;
• Define disinfection;
• State the procedure for cleaning spills of blood or body fluids;
• Discuss the use of bleach and other types of disinfectant solutions in the child care environment;
• List the important considerations of routine cleaning and sanitation in the child care setting.

ELEMENT 6: PREVENTING AND CONTROLLING INFECTIOUS AND COMMUNICABLE DISEASES IN CHILD CARE WORKERS

Child care providers, like health care providers, are at risk of acquiring infectious diseases in the workplace. Most child care providers are women, many of whom are child-bearing age. Some infections can pose a significant risk of adverse consequences for pregnancy outcomes. Staff should be knowledgeable about infectious diseases that are common to child care settings and be able to assess circumstances where worker exposure to a pathogen requires prophylactic treatment in a timely manner.

Upon completion of this module, the learner will be able to:

• Recognize the importance of occupational health strategies which are designed to protect both child care workers and staff;
• Identify communicable diseases that are common in the child care setting;
• List reportable diseases and conditions and discuss the mechanism for reporting to the local health authorities;
• Recognize non-specific disease findings which should prompt further evaluation of staff and children;
• Describe special considerations for identification and management of children with transmissible diseases and approaches to post-exposure management of child care staff and children