Why Infection Control Is Required in Eye Clinics

There are numerous ways in which infections can spread in the ophthalmic environments. It is the responsibility of the eye-clinic authorities to maintain a clean, safe and uncontaminated environment for the visitors and the workers. The primary aim of disinfecting the eye-clinics is controlling the spread of infections.

Some of the common eye infections like conjunctivitis and herpes simplex can cause profound impact on the patient. Such eye infections can also transmit to other people. Let’s examine the various reasons why infection control in eye clinics is important.

Reusable Instruments Can Cause Infections to Transfer from One Patient to Another

Reusable instruments that come in contact with the patients ought to be cleaned thoroughly and disinfected properly. This is because ophthalmic practice involves reusing the same equipment on other patients. The instruments contain infectious organisms. The infectious diseases can pass from one individual to another if preventive measures are not taken. Tonometers are instruments that should be cleaned and sterilized before and after each use. Other instruments like gonioscopy lenses and fundus lenses also ought to be cleaned according to the instructions of the manufacturer. All the equipment and instrument that is not meant for single use ought to sterilize and cleaned properly.

The Examination Room Gets Contaminated

Contaminations lead to infections and the eye clinic settings are full of pathogens. All the areas that come into the contact with the patient ought to be cleaned. Exam rooms get infected and contaminated. Even if you think that the surfaces are clean, they can still be contaminated. The counter surfaces, chairs, benches, doors and floors all require cleaning and disinfection. If the practitioner uses iPads, tablets and computers, then the equipment must be covered. Eye drop containers on the shelves of the exam room may also get contaminated too. Therefore, the technicians must ensure that the tips of the containers do not get into contact with the patient’s eyes or the hands of both the technician and the patient.

Bacterial and Fungal Infections Survive in Dirt

It is essential that the eye clinics are immaculately as dirt prevents the non-sporulating viruses and bacteria to survive instead of drying out and dying. Dirty and unclean surfaces provide and ideal space for the ground bred viruses and bacteria. Cleaning the soiled surfaces by diluting them prevents the spread of eye infections cause by such organisms. Cleaning will ensure that there is no infected debris and dirt so that everyone who comes into contact with these surfaces remains safe.

Extra Hands Services, Inc. ensures that the infection control is done at eye clinics. The environment is cleaned, sterilized and disinfected properly so that the patients get an aesthetically pleasing ambience where there isn’t any potential harm of acquiring disease. All the dangerous bacteria is removed from the eye clinic buildings in a way that meets the industrial healthcare standards.