Infection Control and Standard Precautions
It is the responsibility of all individuals to comply with Standard Precautions. An alcohol or bleach-based disinfectant will be used after all client and equipment contact.
Hand Disinfection/Hand Washing
An alcohol-based disinfectant will be used after all client and equipment contact. If contaminated with blood or body fluids, hands should be washed under running water, using soap and friction for at least 15 seconds. Faucets will be turned off using paper towels, and the alcohol-based disinfectant must be reapplied.
Hand Disinfection Procedure:
- Release enough hand gel into the palm to rub over both hands and up to ½ inch above the wrists (Generally this is one “pump” from the dispenser)
- Rub hands together briskly until dry, ensuring coverage of all surfaces of hands, fingers and wrist
- No rinsing required
- No towels required
Hand washing Procedure:
- Turn on facet using warm (not hot) water
- Wet hands
- Keeping hand lower than elbows, apply soap
- Scrub vigorously for at least 15 seconds, using friction over all surfaces of the hands and wrist, with attention to fingertips and nails
- Rinse thoroughly in a downward position
- Turn off faucet with paper towel
- Dry hands with paper towels
- Re-apply hand disinfectant
Cleaning Schedule
The Functional Living Lab is cleaned daily by cleaning staff contracted by the building managers of 2CC. The FLL kitchen refrigerator is on a regular cleaning schedule, which is a service also provided by the cleaning staff. A graduate assistant, hired by the department, is responsible for neatening and spot cleaning of the lab. All faculty and staff are responsible for reporting to Institute Facilities instances of the FLL not being cleaned through the help ticket system.
Equipment and Supplies
Student clinicians and faculty provide services to clients using adaptive equipment and supplies, general reusable clinical supplies, and other equipment as needed. All reusable supplies and adaptive equipment are inspected and maintained by the OT Functional Living Lab graduate assistant and OT Program Coordinator. The larger equipment is inspected on an annual basis by an outside vendor, which is arranged by the Institute Facilities Department.
- Linen. Clean linen will be covered at all times. Linens will be changed after each patient use. Dirty linen must be deposited in designated laundry bins after use.
- Cleaning between clients. All equipment will be wiped down with germicidal disposal wipes after each client use. If equipment is known to be soiled or is visibly soiled the surface must be cleaned using an approved disinfectant (Virex.) All reusable supplies are disinfected with Virex 256 for 10 minutes contact time and rinsed with water prior to drying.
- Toys. Toys will be disinfected with Virex 256 for 10 minutes contact time and rinsed with water prior to drying.All toys used in the center need to be washable.Plush toys, cloth toys, and stuffed animals are not allowed.Children may bring in their own plush or cloth toy for single use by that child.
Use of Physical Agents
All physical agents may be used ONLY in the presence of an authorized lab instructor who is a licensed occupational therapist and who is certified to utilize physical agent modalities.
Body Mechanics
Students are responsible for adhering to appropriate body mechanics at all times.
Lab Dress Code
Students must dress appropriately for lab in clean attire. Long hair must be pinned back and dangling jewelry must be removed. Fingernails must be short. Shoes should be closed at the toe. Shirts that expose the midriff or breasts, and pants that do not adequately cover the body when bending/stooping are not acceptable. Some lab sessions may require that students wear clothing, such as a tank top, that allows free movement and access to the body parts being studied.