Infection Control
What this domain tests
Infection control tests standard precautions, sterilisation, sharps safety and transmission-based precautions. The exam is scenario-based and expects a safe sequence.
Core rules
- Standard precautions apply to all patients: hand hygiene, gloves, mask, eye protection, gown and safe sharps handling.
- Hand hygiene is performed before and after patient contact and after glove removal; use alcohol rub unless hands are visibly soiled.
- Autoclave sterilisation uses steam under pressure and is preferred for reusable critical instruments. Monitor with biological indicators. Dry heat is an alternative but is not suitable for all materials.
- Spaulding classification: critical items are sterilised, semicritical items are sterilised or receive high-level disinfection, and noncritical items receive low-level disinfection.
- Do not recap needles; use safety devices and dispose immediately in a puncture-resistant container.
- Needlestick management: wash the wound, report immediately, assess the source, check hepatitis B status and offer HIV post-exposure prophylaxis when indicated. Document the incident.
- Clean surfaces before disinfection and avoid glutaraldehyde exposure. Flush and monitor dental unit waterlines.
Worked example
A hygienist sustains a needlestick from a used anaesthetic needle. Correct sequence: wash the wound with soap and water, do not squeeze it, report immediately, identify the source patient and serology, assess hepatitis B vaccination status, offer HIV post-exposure prophylaxis within hours if indicated, and document. Do not wait for symptoms.
Traps
- Gloves do not replace hand hygiene.
- Overcrowded autoclave bags prevent steam penetration.
- Alcohol does not sterilise critical instruments.
- Recapping a needle is a common cause of injury; use a one-handed scoop only if absolutely necessary.