Prevention and Control of Infection
Section Two: Task 3
Risk Assessment
4. Understand the importance of risk assessment in relation to the prevention and control of infections.
4.1 Define the term risk
According to Wikipedia risk is defined as…
Risk is the potential that a chosen action or activity (including the choice of inaction) will lead to a loss (an undesirable outcome). The notion implies that a choice having an influence on the outcome exists (or existed). Potential losses themselves may also be called "risks". Almost any human endeavor carries some risk, but some are much more risky than others.
4.2 Outline potential risks of infection within the workplace.
Infections in the workplace can occur anywhere in which harmful micro-organisms are present. These can include, but are not limited to, fungi, bacteria, internal parasites and viruses.
Any infection is a potential risk within the workplace, in order to address any infection you must understand the chain of infection.
Chain of Infection
Furthermore if we look at some common infections in the workplace and their risks, as follows: Infection | Risk | Common cold and flu | Spread from one person to another > health affected, Persons off work on sick leave > spread within family and community Spread from host to utensils > contaminate utensils > spread within place of work > spread to outside organisations and hospitals > loss of company reputation > increase of insurance > possible legal ramification > publication of malpractice > loss of profits and earnings > job losses > company closure | Gastroenteritis (stomach bugs and virus) | Spread from one person to another > health affected, Persons off work on sick leave > spread within family and communitySpread from host to utensils > contaminate utensils > spread within place of work > spread to outside organisations and hospitals > loss of company reputation > increase of insurance > possible legal ramification
Risk Assessment
4. Understand the importance of risk assessment in relation to the prevention and control of infections.
4.1 Define the term risk
According to Wikipedia risk is defined as…
Risk is the potential that a chosen action or activity (including the choice of inaction) will lead to a loss (an undesirable outcome). The notion implies that a choice having an influence on the outcome exists (or existed). Potential losses themselves may also be called "risks". Almost any human endeavor carries some risk, but some are much more risky than others.
4.2 Outline potential risks of infection within the workplace.
Infections in the workplace can occur anywhere in which harmful micro-organisms are present. These can include, but are not limited to, fungi, bacteria, internal parasites and viruses.
Any infection is a potential risk within the workplace, in order to address any infection you must understand the chain of infection.
Chain of Infection
Furthermore if we look at some common infections in the workplace and their risks, as follows: Infection | Risk | Common cold and flu | Spread from one person to another > health affected, Persons off work on sick leave > spread within family and community Spread from host to utensils > contaminate utensils > spread within place of work > spread to outside organisations and hospitals > loss of company reputation > increase of insurance > possible legal ramification > publication of malpractice > loss of profits and earnings > job losses > company closure | Gastroenteritis (stomach bugs and virus) | Spread from one person to another > health affected, Persons off work on sick leave > spread within family and communitySpread from host to utensils > contaminate utensils > spread within place of work > spread to outside organisations and hospitals > loss of company reputation > increase of insurance > possible legal ramification