Key Recommendations for Hygiene and Infection Control in Veterinary Practice

PReVent InfeCtIonEffective implementation of hygienic measures is essential to prevent and contain the transmission of nosocomial infections to animals and humans both within veterinary settings and in the community.

FECAVA working group on HygiEnE And tHE usE oF AntimiCrobiAls in VEtErinAry prACtiCE © oCtobEr 2013

Clean and dIsInfeCt Handsthe most important activity in the controlof nosocomial infections in practice.

Wash hands�� $W�WKH�VWDUW�DQG�HQG�RI�WKH�ZRUNLQJ�GD\��� $IWHU�YLVLWLQJ�WKH�WRLOHW��� %HIRUH�DQG�DIWHU�HDWLQJ�RU�VPRNLQJ��� :KHQ�YLVLEO\�VRLOHG��� $IWHU�KDQGOLQJ�DQLPDO�ÀXLGV�DQG�H[FUHWLRQV��� �%HIRUH�DVHSWLF�RU�LQYDVLYH�SURFHGXUHV�LQ�FRPELQDWLRQ�ZLWK�

disinfection.

disinfect hands(use alcohol-based hand sanitizers 70-90%)�� 7KDW�DUH�GU\�DQG�FOHDQ��� %HIRUH�DQG�DIWHU�KDQGOLQJ�HDFK�SDWLHQW��� %HIRUH�DQG�DIWHU�JORYLQJ��� %HIRUH�WRXFKLQJ�HTXLSPHQW��GRRU�KDQGOHV�DQG�NH\ERDUGV�

No jewelry (rings, bracelets), wristwatches, nail polish or fake nails should be worn. Nails should be kept short and clean.

WeaR PRoteCtIVe ClotHIngto ensure that hands and forearms can EH�NHSW�FOHDQ�VKRUW�VOHHYHG�ODE�FRDWV�RU� scrubs should be worn at all times when handling patients. protective clothing VKRXOG�QRW�EH�ZRUQ�RXWVLGH�WKH�ZRUNLQJ� environment.

additional protective clothing0DVNV��KDLU�FDSV��VWHULOH�JRZQV�DQG�JORYHV�VKRXOG�EH�XVHG�for surgical and invasive procedures.

Plastic aprons, gloves and masks are required whenhandling:�� 3DWLHQWV�ZLWK�NQRZQ�RU�VXVSHFWHG�FRQWDJLRXV�GLVHDVH��� 3RWHQWLDOO\�FRQWDPLQDWHG�ÀXLGV�DQG�VHFUHWLRQV�

Change the additional protective clothing:���%HWZHHQ�SDWLHQWV�����:KHQ�PRYLQJ�EHWZHHQ�ZDUGV��LVRODWLRQ�DQG�

intensive care units.

Clean and dIsInfeCt PRemIses use approved cleaning products and disinfectants for veterinary premises and follow label instructions. use gloves. )RU�HTXLSPHQW��IROORZ�WKH� recommendations from the manufacturers.

surfaces and equipment����&OHDQ�DQG�GLVLQIHFW�EHIRUH�DQG�DIWHU�HDFK�SDWLHQW�DQG�

when visibly soiled or contaminated.����&OHDQ�DQG�GLVLQIHFW�GRRU�KDQGOHV��NH\ERDUGV��OLJKW�

switches and telephones on a daily / regular basis.

Common areas (entrances, reception, waiting rooms and corridors)�� �&OHDQ�DQG�GLVLQIHFW�GDLO\�DQG�ZKHQ�YLVLEO\�VRLOHG�

or contaminated.

Wards, isolation and intensive care units�� �&OHDQ�DQG�GLVLQIHFW�EHIRUH�DQG�DIWHU�HDFK�SDWLHQW�DQG�

when visibly soiled or contaminated.

tRaIn stafftrain and encourage all staff to understand and comply with good hygiene SUDFWLFHV��&RUUHFW�K\JLHQH�LV�QRW�GLI¿FXOW� if everyone is aware of its importance.

�� �'HYHORS�ZULWWHQ�K\JLHQH�SURWRFROV� (display prominently) and appoint a member of staff with responsibility for promoting and enforcing hygiene practices.

�� �(VWDEOLVK�WKRURXJK�LQ�KRXVH�WUDLQLQJ�RI�VWDII�DQG� encourage attendance at continuing education courses on hygiene.

Use gloVes����:KHQ�KDQGOLQJ�GLVHDVHG�RU�FDUULHU� DQLPDOV�RI�NQRZQ�RU�VXVSHFWHG� FRQWDJLRXV�GLVHDVH��LQFOXGLQJ� parasitic infestations.

�� �:KHQ�KDQGOLQJ�DQLPDOV�ZLWK�NQRZQ�RU� suspected antimicrobial resistant infections.

���:KHQ�KDQGOLQJ�DOO�ZRXQGV�����:KHQ�FRQWDFW�ZLWK�EORRG��ERG\�ÀXLGV��VHFUHWLRQV� H[FUHWLRQV�DQG�PXFRXV�PHPEUDQHV�LV�SRVVLEOH�

�� 'XULQJ�VXUJHU\�RU�ZKHQ�DVHSVLV�LV�UHTXLUHG��VWHULOH�JORYHV���� �&KDQJH�JORYHV�EHWZHHQ�HDFK�LQGLYLGXDO�SDWLHQW�DQG�ZKHQ�

visibly contaminated.�� �&KDQJH�JORYHV�ZKHQ�PRYLQJ�IURP�GLUW\�WR�FOHDQ�

procedures on the same patient.�� �&KDQJH�JORYHV�EHIRUH�WRXFKLQJ�HTXLSPHQW��GRRU� KDQGOHV�DQG�NH\ERDUGV�

wearing gloves is not a substitute for hand hygiene!

sURgICal PRePaRatIon�� the operating room must only be

used for surgical procedures.�� �&OLS��GRQ�W�VKDYH��VXUJLFDO�VLWHV�

immediately before surgery in a separate area. Vacuum loose hair. Clean and disinfect clippers between each patient.

�� �skin preparation after clipping using antibacterial soap ZLWK�ZDWHU�IROORZHG�E\�DOFRKRO��FKORUKH[LGLQH��

�� �surgeon must scrub in with antibacterial soap or mild soap & disinfectant according to practice protocols.

�� �Protective clothing (”scrubs”) must be used during surgery. scrubs used in other areas must not be worn in the surgical ward.

�� �only use sterilized instruments. Autoclave if possible. &ROG�VWHULOL]DWLRQ�RQO\�XQGHU�H[FHSWLRQDO�FLUFXPVWDQFHV�

�� �Prevent�DQLPDO�IURP�OLFNLQJ��VFUDWFKLQJ�RU�RWKHUZLVH� traumatizing the surgical site.

�� �Handle wounds and bandage changes with clean or DVHSWLF�WHFKQLTXH�

laUndeR ClotHIng and BeddIng�� �6FUXEV�DQG�ODE�FRDWV���GDLO\�DQG�ZKHQ�

visibly soiled or contaminated.

�� �%HGGLQJ�DQG�DQLPDO�EODQNHWV���EHWZHHQ� each patient and when visibly soiled or contaminated.

�� �/DXQGU\�VKRXOG�EH�GRQH�RQ�WKH�SUHPLVHV�RU�E\�D� professional company.

�� �5HPRYH�DQ\�JURVV�YLVLEOH�VRLOLQJ�FRQWDPLQDWLRQ� prior to washing (use gloves).

����:DVK�DW����&�DQG�GU\�DW�KLJK�WHPSHUDWXUH�WR�HOLPLQDWH� infectious organisms.

�� �0DLQWDLQ�FOHDU�VHSDUDWLRQ�EHWZHHQ�GLUW\�DQG�FOHDQ�DUHDV� in laundry room to avoid cross-contamination.

�� �6WRUH�FOHDQ�ODXQGU\�LQ�GHGLFDWHG�DUHDV�

edUCate Pet oWneRs8VH�SULQWHG�GRFXPHQWDWLRQ��OHDÀHWV�� posters) & face to face communication.

�� �7R�HQVXUH�JRRG�K\JLHQH�SUDFWLFHV� during clinical visits and following contact with their animal in their homes.

�� �7R�VXSSRUW�YHWHULQDU\�HIIRUWV�LQ�LPSURYLQJ�K\JLHQH� and responsible use of antimicrobials with good adherence to prescribed therapies.

����7R�FRQYH\�EHWWHU�XQGHUVWDQGLQJ�RI�WKH�SXEOLF� health implications of zoonotic and antimicrobial resistant infections in pets.