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.
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Quiz time!
Answer the following true/false questions.
- Bloodborne pathogens are pathogens found in the blood and certain other body fluids that, if transmitted, are capable of causing disease in another person.
- Use of artificial nails by healthcare workers poses no risk to patients.
- If you wear gloves while caring for a patient, you don’t have to wash your hands
- The most important way to prevent the spread of infection is hand washing.
- When entering a droplet isolation room, you do not need to wear a gown.
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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.
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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
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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:
- Blood
- Body fluids, secretions, and excretions, except sweat
- Non-intact skin
- 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.
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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.
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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:
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DO make sure the bag is labeled with the biohazard symbol
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DO seal the bags properly
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DO always wear gloves, apron, face mask or eye protection when handling, changing, or shifting the bags
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DO line your medical waste container with biohazard bags
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DON'T dispose of them in municipal or city waste bins. These waste bags are collected ONLY by licensed medical waste contractors.
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Isolation precaution types
Airborne precautions, contact precautions, droplet precautions, and additional protections against C-Diff and COVID-19 are important to review.
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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.
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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
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