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Infection Control at School

Schools are breeding grounds for all kinds of infections including bacteria, viruses and parasites. Procedures must be designed and staff must be trained to follow these infection control procedures. Children must be taught how to properly wash their hands and when hand washing is expected to be done to effectively reduce the spread of germs.

Janitorial staff have an important role in infection control. They must be instructed on how to disinfect all surfaces on a daily basis. All surfaces including floors, tables, desks, lab tables, and cafeteria equipment must be cleaned and disinfected on a daily basis. Sports equipment must be cleaned and sanitized to help prevent the spread of infections.

All surfaces must be disinfected including door knobs and drawer handles, computer keyboards. Don't forget to spray phone surfaces with Lysol spray.

Staff must be encouraged to wash hands after using the restroom facilities and before eating. Children must also be encouraged to wash hands after using the restrooms and before eating.

Restrooms must always have ample supply of toilet paper, towels, and if possible hand drying machines.

Procedures must be made and followed for cleaning any spill involving body fluids to help prevent the spread of infection.

Spills containing body fluids such as vomit, urine, feces, or blood need to be cleaned using special procedures. Below are procedures that may be followed.

When possible use a red hazardous waste bag to hold any waste products from the body fluid spill.

Use gloves and any other personal protective equipment that is necessary.

Wipe the spill with an approved liquid disinfectant.

Leave this liquid disinfectant on the area for at least one minute. If the spill contains broken glass, sweep the broken glass into a dust pan using the disposable dust pan and broom kit if available. Place broken glass pieces in sharps container.

Bag any paper towels used to wipe of disinfectant liquid into the red bag. Dispose of cloths and gloves that you used to wipe the spill into the red bag too.

Dispose of the red bag in proper container.

Bathrooms and kitchen areas are the two that need to have special attention given to them so that as many germs as possible can be destroyed. The floors in these two areas must be swept and washed daily.

Local health departments must be contacted when there are outbreaks of any bacterial or viral infections and procedures must be followed for notifying parents and the community of any outbreaks. Procedures to protect children and staff must be followed. Local health departments can instruct schools how to deal with parasite infections.