Final answer:
Employees in a medical office must practice strict hand hygiene, wear personal protective equipment, and follow protocols for disinfection and waste disposal. These measures are critical for controlling infections and maintaining safety for both patients and staff. Proper personal hygiene and adherence to safety regulations in lab settings are also essential components of infection prevention.
Step-by-step explanation:
Infection control in the medical office requires employees to adhere to stringent protocols to ensure the safety of both the patients and the medical personnel involved. One critical aspect of infection control is consistent hand hygiene, which serves as the most effective measure against the spread of contagious illnesses. This is especially important when handling microbes that can be transmitted via common surfaces like doorknobs, money, or medical equipment.
Medical staff must also wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as protective coats, face protection, and cut-resistant gloves when in contact with infected patients or contaminated specimens. Any exposure of the skin to contaminants should be followed by immediate washing with warm water and detergent, then with a strong solution such as 1 N NaOH or a bleach dilution to neutralize potential infections. Furthermore, all contaminated waste must be disposed of properly, through methods like incineration or autoclaving.
When working in laboratory settings, especially with bacteria classified as BSL-2, additional safety practices must be employed. This includes practicing safe microbiology, maintaining a sterile field during medical procedures, and proper documentation of experimental protocols. It's also important for healthcare professionals to avoid wearing clothing that is distracting or not conducive to a sterile environment, and to maintain proper personal hygiene consistently.