Infection Prevention Manual

EXPOSURE CONTROL PLAN HAND HYGIENE, CDC GUIDELINES PURPOSE: To provide guidelines for effective hand hygiene, in order to prevent the transmission of bacteria, germs and infections. POLICY: All personnel will use the hand-hygiene techniques, as set forth in the following procedure. The CDC has recommended guidelines on when to use non-antimicrobial soap and water, an antimicrobial soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub. (See MMWR 2002; 51 - NO. RR-16, http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/rr/rr5116.pdf ) · Before coming on duty · When hands are soiled · Before each patient encounter · Before applying sterile gloves and inserting a central intravascular catheter · Before applying gloves and inserting indwelling catheters, peripheral vascular catheters, other invasive devices that do not require a surgical procedure · After coming in contact with patient’s intact skin, i.e., taking a patient’s blood pressure, pulse, lifting/moving the patient · After working on a contaminated body site and then moving to a clean body site on the same patient · After coming in contact with bodily fluids, dressings, mucous membranes, etc., and hands are not visibly soiled (i.e., handling sputum containers, bedpans, urinals, catheters) · After exposure to Bacillus anthracis is known or suspected • Wash hands with non-antimicrobial soap and water or with antimicrobial soap and water if exposure to Bacillus anthracis is suspected or proven. The action of washing and rinsing hands under these circumstances is recommended because alcohols, chlorhexidine, iodophors and other antiseptic agents have poor activity against spores. • After contact with medical equipment/supplies in patient areas • Always after removing gloves • Leaving an isolation area • After toileting • Ater smoking • After blowing or wiping the nose • Before and after eating Other recommendations: T Soap and water must be used when hands are visibly soiled. T If hands are not visibly soiled, hands may be disinfected with either an alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) or soap and water. In these situations the CDC encourages the use of ABHRs. DEFINITIONS: Alcohol-Based Hand Rub: An alcohol-containing preparation designed for