Name of Assessor Unit Date. Element Yes No Action Needed

Transcription

1 Figure 10.5 Checklist: Contact Precautions Name of Assessor Unit Date Element Yes No Action Needed CONTACT PRECAUTIONS GENERAL Contact Precautions are used for patients with known or suspected infections or evidence of syndromes that represent an increased risk for contact transmission, including colonization or infection with multidrug-resistant organisms. Contact Precautions are discontinued when signs and symptoms have resolved or according to pathogen-specific recommendations (see Appendix A). PATIENT PLACEMENT Acute-care settings Patients who require Contact Precautions are placed in a single-patient room if available. If single-patient rooms are unavailable,

2 the following alternatives are applied: Single-room placement is prioritized for patients with conditions that may facilitate transmission (e.g., uncontained drainage, stool incontinence). Patients with the same infection or colonization are cohorted in the same room. If cohorting is done, patients are physically separated (>3 feet) from each other, and privacy curtain is drawn to minimize opportunity for direct contact. Protective attire is changed and hand hygiene performed between care of patients. Patients on Contact Precautions are not placed in the same room with patients who have underlying

3 conditions that may increase the risk of adverse outcomes from infection, or that may facilitate transmission (e.g., immunocompromised, open wounds, prolonged length of stay). PATIENT PLACEMENT Long-term care settings Decisions regarding patient placement are made on a case-by-case basis, balancing risks to other patients in the room and the potential adverse psychosocial impact on the infected or colonized patient. PATIENT PLACEMENT Ambulatory Settings Patients who require Contact Precautions are placed in an examination room or cubicle as soon as possible. HAND HYGIENE AND GLOVES Hand hygiene and glove use are observed

4 according to Standard Precautions and whenever there is contact with patient s intact skin. Hand hygiene and glove use are observed whenever there is contact with surfaces and articles in close proximity to the patient (e.g., medical equipment or bed rails). GOWNS Gowns are donned whenever it is anticipated that clothing will have direct contact with the patient or potentially contaminated environmental surfaces or items in the patient s room. Gowns are doffed and hand hygiene is performed before leaving the patient s environment. After gowns are doffed, ensure that clothing and skin do not contact potentially contaminated environmental surfaces.

5 PATIENT TRANSPORT Transport and movement of patients outside the room are limited to medically necessary purposes. When transport is required, it is ensured that infected or colonized areas of the patient are contained and covered. Contaminated personal protective equipment (PPE) is removed and hand hygiene performed prior to transporting patient. Clean PPE is donned when transport destination is reached. PATIENT CARE EQUIPMENT Patient care equipment is managed according to Standard Precautions. Disposable patient care items are used whenever possible. Patient-dedicated noncritical equipment is used to avoid sharing of equipment among patients. If use of common equipment or items is

6 unavoidable, items are cleaned and disinfected before used on other patients. Home care settings Amount of patient care equipment brought into the home is limited, and when possible, equipment is left in the home until patient is discharged from home care services. Items are cleaned and disinfected if unable to leave in home. ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURES Cleaning and disinfection of the rooms of patients on Contact Precautions are given highest priority. High-touch surfaces (e.g., bed rails, doorknobs, etc.) and equipment in the patient s immediate vicinity are cleaned frequently.