Personal Hygiene & Protective Equipment NEO111 M. Jorgenson, RN BSN
Hand Hygiene the single most effective way to help prevent the spread of infections agents. (CDC, 2002.)
Consistency & Compliancy 50% of hospital employees are not compliant with the hand washing policies of their facilities. (IHI, 2006)
The Joint Commission 2010 Patient Safety Goal to prevent infection Speak Up program
When Should You Clean Your Hands? Before and after contact with each patient Before putting on sterile gloves Before performing any invasive procedure After accidental contact with body fluids or excretions, mucous membranes, non-intact skin and wound dressings, even if hands are not visibly soiled When moving from a contaminated body part to a clean body part After removal of gloves
Hand Hygiene According the CDC, Hand Hygiene is either: Washing hands with plain soap and water Using antiseptic hand rubs including alcohol-based products Surgical hand antisepsis
Lathering Hands With Soap and Rubbing With Firm Circular Motion
Washing Areas Between Fingers
Washing to 1 Inch Above the Wrist
Using Fingernails to Clean Under Nails of Opposite Hand
Rinsing Hands Under Running Water With Water Flowing Toward Fingertips
Techniques for Effective Hand Soap & Water Wet Hands (leave water running) Apply Soap Cover Surfaces Rub Hands Palm to Palm Palm to back of hand Rub Fingers Thumbs Interlocking Backs of fingers to palm Tips to Palm Rinse Hands Dry Hands Turn of water with paper towel. Hygiene
Techniques for Effective Hand Alcohol-based Hand Gels Apply Gel Cover Surfaces Rub Hands Palm to Palm Palm to back of hand Rub Fingers Thumbs Interlocking Backs of fingers to palm Tips to Palm Hygiene
Soap & Water instead of Alcoholbased Hand Gel When hands are visibly dirty After using the restroom Before eating After exposure to certain organisms
Caregiver Hygiene Guidelines Finger Nails harbor harmful bacteria and may cause microabrasions Nail length no more than ¼ inch No artificial nails No nail polish Avoid wearing perfumes and heavy scents Maintain a clean appearance Piercings and tattoos follow facility policy
Personal Protective Equipment
Personal Protective Equipment PPE
Standard Precautions Follow hand hygiene techniques Wear clean, nonsterile gloves when touching body fluids Wear personal protective equipment during care activities likely to generate splashes or sprays of blood Avoid recapping used needles Handle used patient care equipment appropriately Ensure routine care, cleaning, and disinfection procedures are followed Review room assignments carefully
Transmission Based Precautions Applies to patients with known or suspected infectious diseases Contact Enteric precautions (Used to specify fecal infections) Droplet Airborne Tuberculosis (TB) Isolation
Infection Control Measures Identifying the infection Preventing infection Breaking the chain of infection Controlling infection Minimizing complications Reducing adverse outcomes Teaching the patient about infection
Practice of Asepsis Medical asepsis (clean technique) Involves procedures and practices that reduce the number and transfer of pathogens Surgical asepsis (sterile technique) will discuss further in Lab #4 Includes practices used to render and keep objects and areas free from microorganisms
Basic Principles of Medical Asepsis Practicing good hand hygiene Carrying soiled items away from the body Keeping soiled items off the floor Avoiding having patients cough, sneeze, or breeze on others Moving equipment away when cleaning articles Avoiding raising dust Cleaning least soiled areas first
Basic Principles of Medical Asepsis (cont.) Disposing of soiled or used items in appropriate containers Pouring discarded liquids directly into the drain Sterilizing items suspected of containing pathogens Using personal grooming habits that prevent the spread of microorganisms Following guidelines for infection control or barrier technique
Putting on Goggles
Ensuring Gloves Cover Gown Cuffs
Transmission-Based Precautions: Airborne Use for patients who have infections spread through air Place patient in private room with monitored negative air pressure Use respiratory protection when entering the patient s room Transport patient out of room only when necessary; place surgical mask on patient Consult CDC guidelines for prevention strategies for tuberculosis
Transmission-Based Precautions: Droplet Use for patient with infection spread through droplets Use a private room (door may remain open) Wear a mask when working within 3 feet of the patient Transport the patient out of the room only if necessary; place surgical mask on patient Keep visitors 3 feet from patient
Transmission-Based Precautions: Contact Use for patients infected by a microorganism spread by direct or indirect contact Place patient in private room if available Wear PPE when entering the room for all interventions involving contact with the patient; change infected gloves and remove PPE before leaving the room Wash hands with antimicrobial or waterless antiseptic agent Wear gown if in contact with infectious agent Limit movement of the patient out of the room Avoid sharing patient care equipment
Guidelines for Effective Use of PPE Put on PPE before contact with the patient Choose appropriate PPE based on type of exposure When wearing gloves, work from clean to dirty areas Touch as few surfaces and items with PPE as possible Avoid touching or adjusting other PPE Keep gloved hands away from the face Remove and replace torn or heavily soiled gloves Do not substitute goggles with personal glasses
Questions?