Policy Manual sample

MDT Home Health Care Agency, Inc. Efforts to control multidrug-resistant organism transmission in the home should focus on preventing cross-contamination via the bag, clothing, and equipment which are carried to and from the home by the healthcare provider. Hands should be washed before leaving the home. After washing, the use of a waterless antimicrobial agent such as alcohol foam or gel might be considered. Other persons in the home should be educated about multidrug-resistant organisms and instructed to clean and disinfect toilet facilities used by the patient and to contain and dispose of dressings and other disposable materials that may be contaminated. No special precautions for linen, dishes, or personal clothing are indicated. If persons in the home provide direct care, they too should be guided on the importance of handwashing, glove use, and other barriers as reasonable and appropriate to the situation. Recommendations to Patients/Family: • If you prepare food, wash your hands thoroughly before doing so. • Do not share eating utensils or have others take bites of your food. • Wash your hands, especially after using the toilet and before eating. • Obtain rectal swab/urine cultures as ordered by your doctor. • Please tell any doctors or nurses that you have contact with about your VRE (very hardy germ.)/MRSA (“Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus”) before treatment. Hand Care • Wash your hands with soap and running water for at least 10 seconds after contact with a VRE patient or with any items that patient has touched. • Wear rubber or vinyl gloves if you must handle urine or stool. • Wash your hands after taking gloves off. Dishes • Do not share dishes or utensils and wash hands before eating. • If you have no dishwasher, use dish soap and hot water. Cleaning your house • You can use a solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water. Make a new batch each week. Store in a container protected from light. If you would rather, use any commercial disinfectant instead. Dilute according to manufacturer’s directions. It may not be effective on wooden surfaces. • VRE is easy to kill on surfaces as long as it is in contact with the disinfectant for enough time. If you wet a surface well and let it air-dry, that is usually long enough. • If possible, the patient should have his/her own bathroom. If not, clean the sink and toilet if obviously soiled. Waste Management and Laundry • Put all disposable wastes like bandages/dressings in a plastic bag and tie securely. This can go into the regular trash. • If they are heavily soiled with body fluids, wash the patient’s clothes separately in detergent and bleach. • Clothes not soiled with body fluids can be washed with the family’s clothing. Home Health Agency Nursing Care & Procedures K-184