Limiting spread of infection everyone's business

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Brian Jones
  • 96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Practices to aid in controlling the spread of infectious diseases continue to develop to keep pace with the evolution of viruses.

The 96th Medical Group will observe International Infection Prevention Week Oct. 14 - 20. While many of the activities during the week will focus on educating healthcare workers, infection control professionals stress this is a campaign in which everyone has a stake.

"As an example, remember when you were younger and a doctor would prescribe medication for you to take for 21 days, but after 11 days you were feeling better and threw out the remaining medication thinking the illness was gone," asked Ferdinand Blaine, 96th MDG Infection Control Officer. "Well, the viruses and bacteria weren't fully eliminated, so they transformed making them more resilient and harder to eradicate today. These are now passed unknowingly person to person more frequently."

There are steps everyone can take to limit the spread of infection.

"In your everyday life you can do simple things," Mr. Blaine said. "Hand washing, cleaning your environment and timely vaccinations are huge in fending off illnesses."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization, the number one defense against the spread of infection is proper hand hygiene. Following are guidelines to help ensure hands are sanitized properly.

When using an alcohol-based hand rub:
 Apply product to the palm of one hand and rub hands together covering all surfaces of hands and fingers until hands are dry
 Follow the manufacturer's recommendations in regard to the amount of the product to use

When washing hands with soap and water:
 Wet hands with running water of a comfortable temperature
 Apply soap and thoroughly distribute over hands
 Vigorously rub hands together for 15 seconds
 Wash under nails and at least three inches above the wrist
 Rinse hands thoroughly with water flowing to remove residual soap
 Dry hands with a paper towel
 Use the paper towel to turn off the faucet
 Dispose of the paper towel properly

"Using proper hand hygiene not only protects yourself, but also those you care about," Mr. Blaine said. "You never know what things you bring home with you."

In addition to hand washing, the infection control officer suggests incorporating the following practices as part of a healthy lifestyle.

 Cover sneezes and coughs
 Stay home when sick
 Clean work areas often
 Pack a healthy lunch
 Get an annual flu shot
 Use antibiotics as prescribed

During International Infection Prevention Week, Eglin's healthcare professionals will shine a spotlight on the importance of reducing the risk of infection within the medical group while at the same time spreading the word to individuals their role in infectious disease prevention.

"It's a quality of life issue," Mr. Blaine said. "Incorporating a healthy lifestyle can help prevent the spread of infectious disease."