Infection Prevention Program
The mission of the Infection Prevention Program at United Indian Health Services is to promote and maintain a safe and healthy environment for our clients, staff, and community. We are committed to reducing the risk of infections through the implementation of evidence-based practice and the promotion of education and awareness within our community. Through collaboration, communication, and a culture of safety, we aim to prevent infections and promote health for all those we serve.
Hand Hygiene
May 5 is World Hand Hygiene Day! Here are some fun facts about hand hygiene:
- Some of the dirtiest places with the most germs are on everyday items, like cell phones, tablets, keyboards, grocery carts, and doorknobs.
- Hand washing and using hand sanitizer can protect you from respiratory viruses and nasty stomach bugs.
- Only 5% of people wash their hands for the recommended length of time (20 seconds).
- Using alcohol-based hand sanitizer in classrooms reduced absenteeism due to infection by 20%.
- A large percentage of food borne disease outbreaks are caused by contaminated hands.
Save lives! Clean your hands!
COVID-19
Protection from prior infections and vaccinations decline over time, so stay up to date on vaccines! The COVID-19 virus is always changing, and new studies indicate that the updated 2023-2024 COVID vaccine has been effective against COVID-19 during September 2023 through January 2024.
The updated vaccines have been available since mid-September 2023, and if you have not yet received your updated COVID-19 vaccine, call your local UIHS clinic for vaccine options!
If you are 65 years or older, or have a weakened immune system, you should receive an additional dose of the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine. Call your local UIHS Medical Department for more information.
Seasonal
Summer BBQ Food Safety
To keep our family and friends safe and ensure they come back for more BBQs, we need to be aware of some important steps to consider when cooking and preparing food during these warm months. Here are some familiar and good reminder steps when it comes to food safety:
Clean: Wash your hands and surfaces before and after handling food, especially
raw products such as meat or eggs. This includes rinsing fresh fruits and vegetables under running water before consuming or preparing.
Separate: Don’t cross-contaminate raw meat with any other food products. Raw
meat, seafood and eggs can spread germs therefore they need to be kept separate with storage and preparation. This includes having a dedicated cutting board or plate for raw meat and cleaning it thoroughly before using it for other uses. *Raw chicken does not need to be washed before cooking, as this can spread germs into your sink and cause illness.
Cook: All foods need to be cooked to the right temperature to kill germs that can make you sick. The best way to check the internal temperature of food is with a food thermometer. Every cut of meat and seafood is different. Here is a quick glance at the safe internal temperatures for different proteins:
- Whole cuts of veal, beef, lamb and pork: 145°F
- Fish with fins: 145°F or until the flesh is opaque and separates easy
- Ground meats: 160°F
- All Poultry: 165°F
Chill: Refrigerate promptly, and do not let perishable food sit out in the sun or at
room temperature within 2 hours. Bacteria can multiply if food reaches the danger zone of 40°F – 140°F. Never leave food out for more than 2 hours or less
if the temperature outside is hot. Thaw frozen foods safely in the refrigerator, in cold water or in the microwave. Never thaw food on the counter because bacteria can multiply quickly in the parts of the food that reach room temperature.
Swimming/Water Safety
Another very popular activity during these warm summer months is swimming. Whether you are going to a local pool or hitting the river; there are safety concerns that should be considered in order to continue to enjoy this fun activity during the summer. Swimming-related illnesses can happen if you swallow, have contact with, or breath in mists of water with contaminated germs. The most common diseases that occur with swimming are diarrhea, skin rashes, swimmer’s ear, pneumonia and irritation of the eyes or respiratory tract. Here are some steps that you can do to prevent your child, elderly family member or someone that has a weakend immune system; all of whom are the most at risk.
Pool Safety: Pools, hot tubs and water playgrounds with proper chlorine or bromine levels and pH are less likely to spread germs. Make sure the drain in the deep end is visible; this is a good indication of the clarity of the water as well as any debris that could potentially still be in the pool. Make sure no chemicals are out in the open. Make sure that you and your family members aren’t swimming if you are already sick. Stay out of the water if you have an open cut or wound or if you see someone swimming with one. They do offer waterproof bandages if necessary. Shower before and after because this allows for the chloride and bromine to properly protect your body once in the pool.
Ocean/Lake/River: Check for closures on the state or local government
website. We all know that our local Eel River gets the Cyanobacteria and multiple different algae late in the summer season. We all must be aware of when it is safe and not safe to be in the Eel River. The Cyanobacteria can appear as dark green, blue-green, black, orange or brown scum. It thrives in warm and nutrient-rich environments such as stagnant water. This can be very toxic to humans and animals. Other things to look for when swimming in these kinds of bodies of water are cloudy water or open pipes draining into these bodies of water.
Wash your hands 20 seconds before eating food after swimming in these areas. If soap and water are not available, you can use alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
More Summer Resources
Respiratory Virus Guidelines
Even though we are almost done with flu season, COVID-19 and RSV may still linger throughout the year. Stay safe against respiratory viruses!
The CDC has updated guidelines for respiratory viruses:
Seasonal Resources
Flu & COVID-19 Vaccines Communications Toolkit.
Respiratory Virus Prevention Communications Toolkit.
RSV Vaccine Communications Toolkit.
What is HPV?
HPV is a very common virus that can cause cancers later in life. Nearly 42 million people are currently infected with HPV in the united states. About 13 million people, including teens, become infected with HPV each year.
In the U.S., an estimated 36,000 people are affected by a cancer caused by HPV infection each year. While there is screening for cervical cancer that can detect cancer early, there is no recommended screening for the other cancers caused by HPV infection, like cancers of the back of the throat, anus, penis, vagina, or vulva.
Measles
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease that can be spread through the air if an infected person speaks, coughs, or sneezes. Measles starts with a fever and then leads to a cough, runny nose, and red eyes. Measles can be very serious for young children. Measles outbreaks can occur when unvaccinated people travel out of the country and then bring the disease back into the U.S. and it spreads to others
Measles cases have increased in the United States in recent months. As of March 14, 2024, 58 cases of measles were reported in 17 states, including California. Please make sure that you and your family are vaccinated against measles. Measles vaccines are safe, effective, and available at all UIHS medical departments. Call your clinic today to make sure you and your family are up to date with your measles vaccines, especially if you are planning any international travel.
Tuberculosis
Cases of tuberculosis (or TB) have increased in California over the last year. Tuberculosis is a disease caused by germs that are spread from person to person through the air. TB usually affects the lungs but can affect other parts of the body as well. Not everyone infected with TB becomes sick.
Quick Facts
- Anyone can get TB–it is not a disease of the past.
- Some people have latenet TB infection and TB disease may develop if not treated. Treatment is effective.
- If you are at hight risk for TB, you should get tested.
- TB can happen anywhere. Cases have increased recently in California.
- Risk factors include being around a person with infection TB disease and a weakened immune system.
- contact your local UIHS Medical Department for more information on getting tested for TB.
Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
California Department of Public Health
Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health
UCSF – Department of Hospital Epidemiology and Infection Control
Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services
County of Del Norte Department of Public Health