July 12, 2022

Welcome to our fourth Survey Readiness newsletter. Please review the following tips and tools for a successful accreditation survey.


Did you miss the previous issues? Find them in our E-Connection archive.

Quiz time! 

Answer the following true/false questions. 


  1. Bloodborne pathogens are pathogens found in the blood and certain other body fluids that, if transmitted, are capable of causing disease in another person.
  2. Use of artificial nails by healthcare workers poses no risk to patients. 
  3. If you wear gloves while caring for a patient, you don’t have to wash your hands
  4. The most important way to prevent the spread of infection is hand washing.
  5. When entering a droplet isolation room, you do not need to wear a gown.

Answers

1. True; 2. False--artificial nails can harbor germs;

3. False--see below for when you need to wash hands during patient care; 4. True; 5. False--PPE requirements: regular mask, gown, and gloves.


Infection Control

When should I wash my hands?


  • Before AND after contact with patients
  • Before AND after wearing gloves
  • After contact with blood, body fluids, non-intact skin, or mucous membranes
  • After contact with equipment
  • Before AND after eating
  • After using the bathroom, sneezing, or coughing

What are standard precautions?


Standard Precautions include hand hygiene, safety-engineered devices, safe work practices, and the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) whenever touching or having exposure to the following:

  1. Blood
  2. Body fluids, secretions, and excretions, except sweat
  3. Non-intact skin
  4. Mucous membranes


Standard precautions are designed to reduce the risk of transmission of microorganisms from both recognized and unrecognized sources of infection in the healthcare facilities.

  • These precautions should be used with ALL patients regardless of their diagnosis or presumed infectious state.
  • These precautions reduce everyone’s exposure to bloodborne pathogens such as HIV, Hepatitis B & C, and other dangerous organisms.  
Review standard precautions

PPE: Personal protective equipment


PPE is equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses. Learn more from OSHA.


PPE includes: isolation gown, NIOSH-approved N95 respirator or mask, goggles or face shield, and exam gloves. 


Watch the brief videos below to review correct donning and doffing procedures for PPE. Handouts are also available.

What goes in contamination bags?


Take a moment to review the Infection Control: Biohazardous Waste Policy in PowerDMS


Red bags are used for any items contaminated with blood or other potential infectious materials, such as:

  • Any items saturated with blood or wound drainage
  • Any container with bulk blood or body fluids
  • Blood transfusion tubing/bags
  • Central venous lines
  • Dressings, cotton balls, and gauze saturated with blood or wound drainage
  • Emptied suction canisters (bloody)
  • Emptied wound drains (i.e. Hemlock, Jackson-Pratt, etc.) 
  • Isolation waste, including disposable isolation gowns, masks gloves, etc. only if saturated with blood or body fluids


When handling red and yellow biohazard bags:

  • DO make sure the bag is labeled with the biohazard symbol
  • DO seal the bags properly
  • DO always wear gloves, apron, face mask or eye protection when handling, changing, or shifting the bags
  • DO line your medical waste container with biohazard bags
  • DON'T dispose of them in municipal or city waste bins. These waste bags are collected ONLY by licensed medical waste contractors. 

Isolation precaution types


Airborne precautions, contact precautions, droplet precautions, and additional protections against C-Diff and COVID-19 are important to review. 

View precautions
View PPE requirements

Transport of an isolated patient


Be sure to use the following guidance in transporting an isolated patient. 

  • Patient transport shall be limited to the movement of patients outside of the room for medically necessary purposes.
  • When transport or movement is necessary, the infected or colonized areas of the patient’s body shall be contained and covered.
  • Place a clean blanket and gown on the patient prior to transport outside the patient’s room.
  • Any contaminated PPE shall be removed and disposed, and hand hygiene shall be performed prior to transporting patients on Contact Precautions.
  • Clean PPE shall be donned to handle the patient at the transport destination.

Isolation sign locations


Isolation signs are available to use as needed. Signs are available:

  • In PPE cabinets in patient rooms and in hallways
  • At the nurses station
  • Via PowerDMS
Questions? Send them to news@chcsks.org
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