Infection Control Procedures

2 HR Continuing Education for Barbers

Infection Control Procedures and OUR part as Barbers.

Barber derives from the Latin word “barbae” meaning beard. The art of barbering dates to Ancient Egypt. Barbers at that time used oyster shells and sharpened flintstones to cut the hair of Priests, Pharaohs and other elites. Barbers were generally deemed the most capable men of the community/tribe and mastered more than one field of expertise. Often Priest and men of medicine were also barbers.

The Middle Ages found barbers serving as surgeons and dentist. Medical doctors thought surgeries and any other procedures that required them to come in contact with blood or other body fluids were beneath them. The procedures that barbers performed included but was not limited to were bloodletting and leeching, fire cupping, enemas and tooth extracting. Barbers in some geographical areas were very powerful in their organization and garnered higher pay and honor than surgeons. Perhaps this was due to the popularity of the barbershops, as often it was the preferred gathering place central to the deliverance of news, politics and gossip.

Over time it was apparent that barbers could not master the art of hair grooming, surgery and dentistry especially with the advancements that were being made in the field of surgery. There was also growing pressure to separate the professions. In 1745 England passed laws to separate barbers and surgeons.

Though thankfully the scope of practice has changed, and the tools of the trade have advanced. What will never change is the need to perform barbering services in a safe, and sanitary manner. Pathogens that cause disease can be blood-borne, air-borne, or both, and transmitted through unsanitary means. We know that some diseases are more detrimental than others. Hence the need for infection control.

Infection control is a practice critical to reduce the transmission of infection from one person to another and is key in healthcare settings as well as salon and spa environments.

INFECTION CONTROL includes various measures that prevent and contain the spread of infectious diseases. Some of the most important elements of infection control ensuring the safest experience in the beauty and wellness sector are hand washing, following infection control standards, procedures for decontamination of persons, disinfection of equipment and implements and the practice of quarantine if necessary.

Due to the AIDS outbreak in the 1980’s the CDC formally introduced Universal Precautions. It refers to the practice of avoiding contact with an individual’s bodily fluids.

For the purpose of Infection Control, HIV, Hepatitis, Tuberculosis, and any other communicable disease should be treated the same. Following the premise of Universal Precaution can be a good place to start.

UNIVERSAL PRECAUTION
They are steps taken by medical professionals and adopted by beauty and wellness professionals used to reduce the risk of transmitting HIV and other infectious disease. The general premise is, treat any blood or bodily fluid as though it contains HIV, Hepatitis, or any other infectious agent.

Universal Precaution assumes that all bodily fluids are dangerous. This attitude offers the professional protection and benefits their clients by applying the same procedures to everyone.

To prevent the spread and exposure of pathogens it is the responsibility of the beauty professional to incorporate and adhere to good infection control practices. Per CHAPTER 61G3-19.011 Barbershop Requirements, the following actions must be adhered to comply with the Florida Barbers Board. Each barbershop shall comply with the following:

Per CHAPTER 61G3-19.011 Barbershop Requirements
1234(e) Maintenance of all equipment used to perform barbering services on the premises in a safe and sanitary condition, including the regular application of cleaners and bacterial agents;

(f) Assurance that materials furnished for the personal use of the customer, such as towels, are cleansed before reuse.

(3) Every person practicing barbering in any capacity shall wash his or her hands thoroughly with an anti-bacterial liquid or powdered soap and water before serving each patron.

(4) After the handling of a customer affected with an eruption, or whose skin is broken out, or is inflamed or contains pus, the hands of the attendant shall be disinfected immediately; this shall be done by thorough washing with soap and water, followed by rinsing in rubbing alcohol (70 to 80 percent) or the use of some equally efficient disinfectant.

(5) All towels and linens used in the practice of barbering are to be kept in a closed container or compartment.

(6) The barber shop must have one or more shampoo bowls equipped with hot and cold running water. The shampoo bowls shall be located in the area where barbering services are performed.

(7) Each headrest on each chair in every barbershop must be equipped with a relaundered towel or a sheet of clean paper for each patron.

(8) Each patron shall have a clean strip of cotton, towel or neckband on the neck so that the haircloth does not come in contact with the neck or skin of the patron’s body.

(9) The use of a brush, comb, or other barbering tool on more than one patron without being sanitized is prohibited.

(10) All barbershops shall be equipped with and shall utilize wet sanitizers, sufficient to allow for sanitizing practices. A wet sanitizer is any clear plastic or glass receptacle with a lid containing a disinfectant solution as specified below, and large enough to allow for immersion of the barbering tools, or those surfaces of said tools which come in contact with the patrons.

(11) All barbering tools used in barbershops such as razors, scissors, tweezers, combs, rubber discs, or parts of vibrators shall be free from hair, cleansed and:

(a) Immersed in a disinfectant registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a bacterial, virucidal and fungicidal disinfectant, and approved by that agency for use in hospitals, for one to five minutes; or

(b) All combs, brushes, metallic instruments with a cutting edge, or implements which have come into contact with blood, or body fluids, shall be immersed in a disinfectant that indicates on its label that it has been registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a tuberculocidal disinfectant, in accordance with C.F.R. 1910. 1030; or

(c) Cleansed and sanitized for use by any other method that shall be the equivalent in germicidal or organism destructive effect, as provided in paragraph (11)(a) or (b) above. The use of an ultraviolet ray sanitizing cabinet, by itself, is not sufficient to meet the requirements of paragraph (11)(a) or (b) above.

(d) After complying with any of the above requirements, the razor, scissors, tweezers, combs, rubber discs or parts of vibrators shall then be placed and kept in a clean, closed cabinet or container until next ready for use. Storage in an ultraviolet ray sanitizing cabinet is preferred.

(12) The use of styptic pencils or any other astringent that will come in contact with more than one patron is prohibited. If a slight cut or scratch drawing blood has occurred, the use of sterile cotton, styptic powder, or any suitable solution first applied to a sterile cotton ball or swab is approved.

(13) All owners or managers or barbershops must provide at least two receptacles, one for the deposit of used towels, and one for the deposit of used shaving paper. All used towels and used shaving papers are to be deposited in the proper receptacle immediately after use.

PLEASE NOTE: STAY CURRENT strongly urges you to visit:
(myfloridalicense.com) for the complete list of rules and regulations regarding your Florida Barbers License and review it often.

ALWAYS REMEMBER:
BASIC DISINFECTANT PROCEDURE

  • Clean with soap and water (removing all debris).

  • Rinse and dry with clean towel or paper towel.

  • Completely immerse in hospital level or EPA approved disinfectant for 10 minutes or required time of manufacturer.

  • Remove items from wet disinfection container with tongs, basket, or gloved hands.

  • Rinse and dry.

  • Store in clean, closed cabinet or container.

THERE ARE NO SHORT CUTS FOR INFECTION CONTROL!!

Section Summary / Infection Control

The goal, and desire to individual health is a strong and robust immune system and though a healthy immune system offers defense against harmful pathogens; HIV/AIDS has proven to be a devasting and destructive opponent. Due to its invasive and mutative capabilities to the bodies T-Cells.

HIV/AIDS is a two- stage disease. Though in its debut the final stage was the first stage identified and feared. Through vigorous scientific and medical research HIV was recognized as the precursor to the deadly disease proving that greater efforts and attention was mandatory to attack the devastating and destructive abilities of the virus.

Although the transmission of the disease is still the same awareness, education, preventative measures, testing, medications, and on-going research has and will continue to reduce its affect and the number of infections.

As a Barber you have a duty to protect your client, yourself, and the profession by creating a safe and clean environment and experience for your clients. By practicing proper infection control protocols and adopting a Universal Precaution attitude, your clients will always be in good hands.

REMEMBER- There are no short cuts for infection control.

THIS COMPLETES ALL COURSE MATERIAL FOR THE BARBER HIV/AIDS 2 CREDIT HOUR COURSE. YOU ARE NOW READY TO TAKE THE EXAM!

WORKS CITED:

“Ryan White | American AIDS Victim | Britannica.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 2019, www.britannica.com/biography/Ryan-White.

Rogers, Kara. “AIDS | Definition, Diagnosis, Treatment, & Facts.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 2019, www.britannica.com/science/AIDS.

“HIV/AIDS Fact Sheets | HIVinfo.” Hivinfo.nih.gov, hivinfo.nih.gov/understanding-hiv/fact-sheets.

WHO. “HIV/AIDS.” WHO, 30 Nov. 2021, www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hiv-aids.

‌Mayo Clinic. “HIV/AIDS - Symptoms and Causes.” Mayo Clinic, 2018, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hiv-aids/symptoms-causes/syc-20373524.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “About HIV/AIDS.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, 1 June 2021, www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/whatishiv.html.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Ways HIV Can Be Transmitted | HIV Transmission | HIV Basics | HIV/AIDS | CDC.” Www.cdc.gov, 3 Nov. 2020, www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/hiv-transmission/ways-people-get-hiv.html.

‌HIV Basics. 2019, www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/.“The History of HIV.” Verywell Health, www.verywellhealth.com/hiv-aids-history-4014461.

Infection Control Procedures
HIV / AIDS

4 HOUR CONTINUING EDUCATION