Infection Control Principles

Overview

This lecture covers infection control principles and practices essential for cosmetologists, emphasizing regulations, types of microbes, disinfection methods, and procedures to ensure salon safety.

Regulatory Agencies and Laws

• OSHA regulates and enforces safety standards to protect workplace employees.
• MSDS provides essential safety information about products, including hazardous ingredients and handling instructions.
• The EPA registers all disinfectants and sets standards for their use in salons.
• State agencies inspect salons, require compliance, and can issue penalties for violations.
• Laws define the scope of practice; rules specify how laws are applied and are frequently updated.

Principles of Infection and Types of Microbes

• Infection is the invasion of body tissue by disease-causing pathogens.
• Infection control methods help eliminate or reduce transmission of infectious organisms.
• Cleaning removes visible dirt and some germs; disinfection destroys most harmful organisms on surfaces.
• Disinfectants must be bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal.
• Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms; pathogenic bacteria cause disease, while nonpathogenic are harmless.
• Main bacterial shapes: Cocci (round), Bacilli (rod-shaped), Spirilla (spiral).
• Viruses are parasitic particles that require a host to reproduce and cause diseases like HIV and hepatitis.
• Bloodborne pathogens are spread via blood and body fluids; examples include hepatitis B/C and HIV.
• Fungi are plant parasites like mold and ringworm; can infect skin, scalp, and feet.
• Parasites live on or in hosts, e.g., lice (pediculosis capitis) and scabies mites.
• Immunity is the ability to resist infection, either natural or acquired (via vaccine).

Principles and Methods of Prevention

• Decontamination involves removing blood/debris and disinfecting with EPA-registered products.
• Method 1: Clean then disinfect tools and surfaces; Method 2: Clean then sterilize (kills all microbes).
• Disinfectants must have efficacy claims and be used as directed.
• Quats, phenolics, and bleach are common salon disinfectants.
• Use MSDS, gloves, and safety practices when handling disinfectants.
• Multi-use items are hard and nonporous; single-use items must be discarded after one use.
• Porous items contaminated with body fluids must be thrown away immediately.

Disinfecting Guidelines and Salon Procedures

• Clean and disinfect all tools before and after every service.
• Electrical tools are disinfected with EPA-approved solutions designed for electrical equipment.
• Work surfaces must be cleaned before every client.
• Use clean linens and capes for each client; store used linens separately.
• Pedicure equipment must be cleaned and logged after each use.
• Single-use supplies are discarded after use; handwashing is required before and after each service.
• Antiseptics only kill germs, do not clean visible dirt and debris.

Universal Precautions and Exposure Incident

• Universal Precautions treat all blood and body fluids as infectious.
• OSHA sets standards to protect against exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
• After exposure: stop service, wear gloves, stop bleeding, clean and bandage, disinfect area, discard contaminated items, and wash hands thoroughly.

Professional Salon Image and Responsibilities

• Maintain a clean, dust-free, well-lit salon environment.
• Regularly clean fans, restrooms, and waste receptacles.
• Prevent food contamination and enforce hygienic practices.
• Properly store and disinfect tools, dispose of waste, and separate clean and dirty linens.
• Keep licenses current and stay updated with state regulations.

Key Terms & Definitions

• OSHA — federal agency regulating workplace safety standards.
• MSDS — document detailing product hazards and handling.
• EPA — agency registering disinfectants for salon use.
• Infection — invasion by disease-causing pathogens.
• Disinfection — process destroying most harmful organisms.
• Sterilization — method that kills all microorganisms, including spores.
• Bloodborne Pathogen — disease-causing microorganism carried in blood/body fluids.
• Immunity — ability to resist infection.
• Quats — disinfectant effective in salons.
• Universal Precautions — guidelines assuming all human blood/fluids are infectious.

Action Items / Next Steps

• Review and stay updated on state and federal salon regulations.
• Ensure salon has up-to-date MSDS for all products.
• Practice proper cleaning, disinfection, and handwashing techniques daily.
• Keep record logs for disinfecting pedicure equipment.
• Maintain current salon license and check for regulatory updates regularly.