As a member of COPE National (Canadian Organization of Professional Electrologists) it is recommended infection prevention and control practices be upheld and maintained according to 'Health Canada's Infection Control Guidelines' even though it is not a stipulation for membership. If you would like more information on these guidelines and a FREE copy of the Canada Communicable Disease Report -Volume 25S3, July 1999 Infection Control Guidelines please contact the following:
Call Toll Free: 1-866-225-0709 and ask for Publications
or download from the Internet:
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/dpg-eng.php#infection
Infection Prevention and Control in the practice of electrolysis protects both the client and the practitioner. They include, assessing the infection risk of electrolysis procedures, the understanding of how infections spread (chain of infection), how the body develops and maintains immunity, routine practices (hand hygiene, wearing gloves, wearing masks), prevention of sharps injuries, post procedure infection risks, cleaning disinfection and sterilization, waste disposal, health and personal hygiene of the client and the practitioner.
Sterilization of instruments may be accomplished by either steam sterilization or dry heat. The preferred method is steam sterilization. While a dry heat oven is cheaper to purchase, it is expensive to operate, sterilization time is lengthy, the temperature within the oven is not consistent throughout the chamber unless it is a convection type and dry heat takes a toll on instruments. On the other hand, steam sterilization is fast, very effective, cheap and gentle on instruments.
Steam Sterilizer:
Using a gravity displacement table top steam sterilizer the sterilization temperature is 121 degrees Centigrade (250 F) for an exposure time of 20 minutes. Temperature and time depend on the type of steam sterilizer used. Always use the times and temperature settings recommended by the manufacturer.
Dry Heat:
Sterilization temperature 162.8C (320 F) for an exposure time of 120 minutes.
NOTE:
We cannot stress how important effective sterilization is for
the health and wellbeing of yourself, staff and your clients safety.
The following are recommended practices for all COPE National members:
Use of spore testing kit to prove efficacy of sterilizer once every two months.
Use of appropriate sterilization packaging.
Single use disposable filaments
Use of a biohazard waste container to dispose of needles
Wearing of surgical gloves during treatment.
Use of surface cleaning solutions, (e.g. 10% bleach)
Use of skin prep: 70% isopropyl alcohol
Disposable paper products or freshly laundered linen or towels
for each client.
Diligent and thorough hand washing before and after gloving, or touching clients.
Use of a face mask if "cold" symptoms are evident.
