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INFECTION CONTROL – (Study Guide)
1. What Is Infection Control
Definition: Methods used to eliminate or reduce the transmission of infectious organisms from one individual to another.
Purpose:
Safeguard your health and your clients’ health.
Prevent accidents and injuries in the workplace.
Requirement: State Boards and regulatory agencies require all professionals to follow infection-control measures and safe-work practices.
2. Four Levels of Infection Control Vocabulary
| Level | Definition | Key Points |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning | Mechanical process using soap + water or detergent + water to remove visible dirt and debris. | Removes many germs, but not all. |
| Sanitizing | Chemical process that reduces disease-causing germs on a cleaned surface to a safe level. | Step after cleaning. |
| Disinfecting | Chemical process using EPA-registered products to destroy harmful organisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi—except spores) on non-porous surfaces. | Must follow label directions! |
| Sterilizing | Destroys all microbial life—including spores—usually with an autoclave. | Highest level of infection control. |
3. Federal & State Regulatory Agencies
Federal Agencies
OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration)
Part of U.S. Dept. of Labor.
Enforces workplace safety & health standards.
Covers safe handling, mixing, storing, and disposal of products.
Requires Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all hazardous chemicals.
EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)
Registers and regulates all disinfectants sold & used in the U.S.
If you ignore label directions (mixing ratios, contact time, or surface types), you’re violating federal law.
Disinfectants = chemical products that destroy most bacteria, fungi, and viruses (except spores).
State Agencies
Regulate licensing, enforcement, and professional conduct in salons, spas, and barbershops.
4. Principles of Infection
Modes of Transmission
Direct Transmission: through touch, kissing, coughing, sneezing, talking.
Indirect Transmission: contact with contaminated objects (e.g., nipper, razor, phone, doorknob).
Airborne / Respiratory Droplet: spread when pathogens are expelled by coughing, sneezing, or talking.
Preventing Spread
Wash hands properly.
Clean & disinfect tools after each service.
Keep skin intact; cover wounds.
Wear gloves (latex or nitrile).
Moisturize to avoid cracked skin.
Refuse service to clients who show illness symptoms.
5. Types of Pathogens
Bacteria
Single-celled microorganisms with plant & animal traits.
Found everywhere — skin, air, water, surfaces, decay.
Two types of infection:
Local: confined (e.g., pimple, abscess with pus).
Systemic: pathogen spreads through blood or lymph.
Viruses
Submicroscopic particles that live and reproduce only by invading host cells.
Cause colds, measles, chicken pox, hepatitis, HIV → AIDS.
HIV (AIDS): attacks immune system, making body vulnerable to other infections.
Fungi
Single-celled organisms such as molds, mildews, yeasts.
Cause contagious diseases like ringworm (tinea).
Mildew: grows on plants or objects but does not infect humans.
Ringworm: circular lesions; service should be refused.
Parasites
Organisms that live on or in a host and take nutrients from it.
External: ticks, lice, fleas, mites.
Internal: ingested via food (fish, meat).
6. Standard Precautions (CDC Guidelines)
Assume all blood & body fluids are potentially infectious.
Follow proper hand washing, glove use, and disposal of sharps and contaminated materials.
PPE (Personal Protective Equipment): gloves, masks, goggles, aprons.
OSHA & CDC require these standards for every service.