Policy Manual sample

MDT Home Health Care Agency, Inc. HANDWASHING IMPROVEMENT PLAN Start Point: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HAND HYGIENE All of our field Employees will be trained in recommendations for good hand hygiene, that will be put our Agency in at least 50% of reach our Handwashing Compliance goals in the first 4 moths of implementation. As part of an overall program to improve hand hygiene practices of healthcare workers, we will educate our field personnel regarding the types of patient care activities that can result in hand contamination and the advantages and disadvantages of various methods used to clean their hands. · Indications for Handwashing and Hand Antisepsis: When hands are visibly dirty or contaminated with proteinaceous material or are visibly soiled with blood or other body fluids, wash hands with either a non-antimicrobial soap and water or an antimicrobial soap and water. If hands are not visibly soiled, use an alcohol-based hand rub for routinely decontaminating hands. Decontaminate hands before having direct contact with patients. Decontaminate hands before donning sterile gloves when inserting a central intravascular catheter. Decontaminate hands before inserting indwelling urinary catheters, peripheral vascular catheters or other invasive devices that do not require a surgical procedure. Decontaminate hands after contact with a patient's intact skin (i.e., when taking a pulse or blood pressure and lifting a patient). Decontaminate hands after contact with body fluids or excretions, mucous membranes, nonintact skin and wound dressings if hands are not visibly soiled. Decontaminate hands if moving from a contaminated-body site to a clean-body site during patient care. Decontaminate hands after contact with inanimate objects (including medical equipment) in the immediate vicinity of the patient. Decontaminate hands after removing gloves. Before eating and after using a restroom, wash hands with a non-antimicrobial soap and water or with an antimicrobial soap and water. Antimicrobial-impregnated wipes (i.e., towelettes) may be considered as an alternative to washing hands with non-antimicrobial soap and water. Because they are not as effective as alcohol-based hand rubs or washing hands with an antimicrobial soap and water for reducing bacterial counts on the hands of healthcare workers, they are not a substitute for using an alcohol-based hand rub or antimicrobial soap. · Hand Hygiene Technique: When decontaminating hands with an alcohol-based hand rub, apply product to palm of one hand and rub hands together, covering all surfaces of hands and fingers, until hands are dry. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations regarding the volume of product to use. When washing hands with soap and water, wet hands first with water, apply an amount of product recommended by the manufacturer to hands, and rub hands together vigorously for at least 20 seconds, covering all surfaces of the hands and fingers. Rinse hands with water and dry thoroughly with a disposable towel. Use towel to turn off the faucet Avoid using hot water, because repeated exposure to hot water may increase the risk of dermatitis. Liquid, bar, leaflet or powdered forms of plain soap are acceptable when washing hands with a non- antimicrobial soap and water. When bar soap is used, soap racks that facilitate drainage and small bars of soap should be used. Multiple-use cloth towels of the hanging or roll type are not recommended for use in healthcare settings. · Selection of Hand Hygiene Agents: Use products that have low irritancy potential. This recommendation applies to products used for hand antisepsis before and after patient care. Home Health Agency Nursing Care & Procedures K-157