Zoonotic Disease Prevention in Veterinary Personnel

Question 1

CDC/AVMA Survey Summary

Answer 1

• vets concerned about zoonosis, but didn’t protect themselves
• Hand washing is inconsistent
• Sharps handling is a big problem
• 31% small, 22% equine, 12% large have written infection control policy

Question 2

Vets have casual attitude toward:

Answer 2

• blood, feces, urine, & other fluids

- zoonotic infectious agents, known & unknown

Question 3

Zoonotic infections in vet personal are primarily related to:

Answer 3

-bite wounds
-feces
-infected skin
-droplets
Not blood

Question 4

What is the single most important measure to reduce risk of disease transmission?

Answer 4

Hand hygiene

Question 5

_____ _____ is preferred in vet settings because hands are routinely contaminated with organic material.

Answer 5

Hand washing

Question 6

Wash your hands when?

Answer 6

• Before and after each patient
• After contact with body products or articles contaminated with them
• After cleaning cages or animal care areas
• Before eating/drinking; after bathroom

Question 7

Alcohol-based hand rubs

Answer 7

• disinfect immediately
• not effective when hands are visibly soiled
• effective against bacteria
• less effective than hand washing against protozoan & non-enveloped viruses

Question 8

Moist wipes

Answer 8

• good when running water’s not available; follow with alcohol rub.
• used alone they’re not as effective as other methods

Question 9

Use facial protection when?

Answer 9

• dentistry
• abscesses
• suctioning, lavage
• OB
• necropsy

Question 10

What fluid has high concentration of zoonotic agents?

Answer 10

Birthing fluids. Use standard precautions

Question 11

What are the most commonly reported accident/injury?

Answer 11

Dog bites, cat bites, & needle sticks.

Inadvertent injection of vaccine is most common needle stick injury.

Question 12

When injecting _____ _____ or ______ _____ _______ or _____, the used syring w/ needle attached should be placed in the sharps container.

Answer 12

live vaccines or aspirating body fluid or tissue

Otherwise needle in sharps, syringe in regular trash

Question 13

Environmental control

Answer 13

• designate staff break area
• separate food refrigerator
• clean & store dishware separately
• separate storage & transport for clean & dirty laundry