Professional Pediatric Home Care

INFECTION CONTROL FOR THE HEALTHCARE PROVIDER

Policy & Procedure

I. Purpose: This policy is designed to provide consistency is prevention of and response to occupational exposure to blood and potentially infectious materials.

II.Universal Precautions is the primary approach to infection control. According to the concept of Universal Precautions, all human blood and certain human body fluids are treated as if known to be infectious for HIV, HBV, and other bloodborne pathogens.Universal precautions shall be observed to prevent contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials. Under circumstances in which differentiation between body fluid types is difficult or impossible, all body fluids shall be considered potentially infectious materials.

A. Handwashing per agency policy will be practiced by all healthcare providers as a preventative measure and response to possible exposure to infectious material. When antiseptic hand cleansers or towelettes are used, hands shall be washed with soap and running water as soon as feasible.

B. Gloves. Gloves shall be worn when it can be reasonably anticipated that the healthcare provider may have hand contact with blood, other potentially infectious materials, mucous membranes, and non-intact skin, and when handling or touching contaminated items or surfaces. Healthcare Providers shall wash their hands immediately or as soon as feasible after removal of gloves.

III. Occupational Exposure means reasonably anticipated skin, eye, mucous membrane, or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials that may result from the performance of a Healthcare Provider’s duties.

IV. Work Practice Controls will be in place to reduce the likelihood of exposure by altering the manner in which a task is performed (e.g., handwashing, gloving, use of needleless system).

All procedures involving blood or other potentially infectious materials shall be performed in such a manner as to minimize splashing or generation of droplets of these substances.

Food and drink shall not be kept in any area where blood or other potentially infectious materials are present. Eating, drinking, smoking, applying cosmetics, and handling contact lenses are prohibited in work areas where there is a reasonable likelihood of occupational exposure.

Healthcare Providers shall ensure that the work area is maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. The Case Manager shall determine and implement an appropriate written schedule for cleaning all medical equipment and supplies, and patient work areas.

Appropriate personal protective equipment such as, but not limited to, gloves, laboratory coats, resuscitation bags, pocket masks, or other ventilation devices.

V. Response to ExposureIncident. Healthcare Provider shall wash hands and any other skin with soap and water, or flush mucous membranes with water immediately or as soon as feasible following contact of such body areas with blood or other potentially infectious materials.

The Healthcare Provider shall report incident to the Clinical Director and an Adverse Event shall be completed.

The Healthcare Provider, as an Independent Contractor, shall assume responsibility for contact and follow up with theirPrimary Care Physician.The Hepatitis B vaccine and vaccination series, post-exposure evaluation and follow-up will be determined by the Healthcare Provider and his Physician.

HAND WASHING POLICY & PROCEDURE

I. Purpose: This policy is designed to provide consistency in the technique and application of hand washing as an infection control measure to help safeguard patients and healthcare providers from the transmission of infection.

II. Handwashing is the MOST important means of preventing the spread of infection. Soap, running water, and friction are the three important components of handwashing. If handwashing facilities are not readily available, antiseptic and/or antibacterial hand cleansers in conjunction with friction and clean cloth or paper towels may be used.

III. When to Wash

  1. Before and after work
  2. Before and after every procedure on patient
  3. Immediately after contact with patient body fluids or blood
  4. Before and after donning gloves
  5. Before and after using the restroom
  6. Before and after eating

IV. Procedure for Effective Handwashing

  1. Turn on tap water
  2. Wet hands
  3. Apply disinfectant soap or sanitizer and rub vigorously for minimum 20-30 seconds.
  4. Rinse off soap with finger tips in the upright position
  5. Dry hands thoroughly using a disposable towel (paper towel)
  6. Turn off faucet using a dry paper towel
  7. If no water available, using an alcohol-based antiseptic hand rub for 20 seconds is appropriate.

Updated CDC Guidelines 2006

Guidelines for Hand Hygiene in the Health Care Setting

MMWR 2002 volume 51, number RR-16

GLOVING PROCEDURE / DOUBLE BAGGING

  1. Wash hands and dry thoroughly per above procedure
  2. Don gloves
  3. Complete first step of nursing task (such as removal of existing dressing, diaper change, etc.)
  4. Dispose of contaminated waste in trash receptacle / plastic bag making sure not to touch /contaminate outside of bag.
  5. Wash hands again per above procedure.
  6. Don gloves.
  7. Clean wound / stoma / involved area per patient specific procedure protocol.
  8. Complete assessment.
  9. Complete SV intervention / apply dressing per patient specific protocol procedure.
  10. Place all trash into trash receptacle / plastic bag. Do not touch outside of bag.
  11. Remove gloves and place in plastic bag.
  12. Tie closed and place in another plastic bag before placing in residence main trash container.