Infection Prevention and Sterilization Policy

The Infection Prevention and Sterilization Policy at California Hair and Skin Institute applies to all physicians, nurses, surgical technicians, medical assistants, administrative staff, contractors, and temporary personnel.

Standard Precautions

All blood and bodily fluids are treated as potentially infectious. Staff practice hand hygiene, wear appropriate PPE, dispose of sharps properly, follow sterilization procedures, and report exposures immediately.

Hand Hygiene Policy

Hand hygiene is required before and after patient contact, before aseptic procedures, after glove removal, and after contact with contaminated surfaces. Soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer is used.

Personal Protective Equipment

Required PPE may include gloves, masks, eye protection, face shields, respirators when indicated, and disposable gowns. Gloves are changed between patients and whenever contaminated.

Surgical Field Preparation

Treatment areas are cleansed with approved antiseptic solutions, sterile draping is used, and aseptic technique is maintained throughout procedures.

Instrument Processing Policy

Reusable instruments are transported safely, pre-cleaned, inspected, manually or ultrasonically cleaned, and prepared for sterilization according to manufacturer recommendations.

Sterilization Policy

Steam autoclave sterilization is utilized when appropriate. Each cycle includes mechanical monitoring, chemical indicators, and biological monitoring as required. Sterilization records are maintained.

Autoclave Quality Assurance

Weekly biological spore testing is performed. Failed sterilization cycles require immediate investigation, removal of affected instruments from service, and corrective action documentation.

High-Level Disinfection

Equipment unsuitable for sterilization undergoes high-level disinfection using EPA-registered products according to manufacturer instructions.

Environmental Cleaning

Procedure rooms, treatment chairs, countertops, floors, sinks, door handles, and equipment surfaces are cleaned and disinfected according to clinic schedules.

Biohazard Waste Management

Blood-contaminated materials, sharps, dressings, and contaminated disposables are disposed of in approved biohazard containers and removed by licensed medical waste vendors.

Sharps Safety Program

Needles, scalpels, and other sharps are disposed of immediately after use in approved sharps containers. Recapping using two hands is prohibited.

Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan

All exposures are immediately reported, medically evaluated, documented, and managed according to post-exposure protocols.

Employee Health Program

Staff receive annual OSHA, infection control, and bloodborne pathogen training. Hepatitis B vaccination is offered in accordance with OSHA standards.

Patient Infection Screening

Patients are evaluated for active infection, fever, cellulitis, open wounds, or contagious illnesses prior to elective procedures.

Post-Procedure Infection Surveillance

Surgical site infections, folliculitis, delayed wound healing, and other complications are monitored and documented. Quality review is initiated when indicated.

Quality Assurance Program

Quarterly review evaluates infection rates, sterilization compliance, OSHA compliance, exposure incidents, staff competency, and corrective action implementation.

Performance Indicators

Target goals include infection rates below 1%, sterilization compliance of 100%, biological monitoring compliance of 100%, and OSHA training compliance of 100%.