Policy Manual sample

MDT Home Health Care Agency, Inc. PPE will be considered "appropriate" only if it does not permit blood or other potentially infectious body fluids to pass through or reach the employee's work clothes, street clothes, undergarments, eyes, skin, mouth, or other mucous membranes under normal conditions of use and for the duration of the time of which PPE will be used. Gloves will be worn when the health care worker has the potential to have direct skin contact with blood, other potentially infectious body fluids, mucous membranes, non- intact skin and when handling items or surfaces soiled with blood or other potentially infectious body fluids. Disposable single-use gloves will be changed as soon as possible when visibly soiled, torn, punctured or when their ability to function as a barrier is compromised. Disposable single-use gloves cannot be washed or disinfected for reuse. Disposable single-use gloves must be removed and discarded after contact with each patient. Utility gloves may be disinfected for re-use if the integrity of the glove is not compromised. However, they must be discarded if they are cracked, peeling, punctured, or exhibit other signs of deterioration or when their ability to function as a barrier is compromised. Hypoallergenic gloves, glove liners and similar alternatives shall be readily available to health care workers who are allergic to gloves normally used. Hands shall be washed immediately before and after the use of gloves. Fluid-resistant clothing (gowns, aprons) shall be worn if there is the potential for splashing or spraying of blood or other potentially infectious body fluids. Masks, with eye protection (goggles with side shields) or chin length face shields must be worn whenever splash, spray, droplets or aerosols of blood or other potentially infectious body fluids may be generated and there is a potential for eye, nose or mouth contamination. Prescription eyeglasses will be equipped with protective side shields if used for eye protection. Protective eye wear will be worn by personnel wearing contact lenses when there is a potential for eye contamination. Health care workers will be trained regarding appropriate PPE for their job classifications and tasks/procedures they perform. Initial training regarding PPE shall be completed upon orientation. Additional training is provided ANNUALLY and as indicated: q Change in health care worker's position. q New job functions added. D. ENVIRONMENTAL Protective coverings such as plastic wrap, aluminum foil, wax paper or imperviously backed absorbent paper shall be used to cover environmental surfaces when potential for overt contamination by blood or other potentially infectious body fluids exists. Accidental spills and contamination shall be cleaned immediately using hot, soapy water while wearing gloves. The area shall then be treated with an EPA approved disinfectant. Broken glassware which may be contaminated shall not be picked up directly with the hands. It shall be cleaned using a brush and dustpan, tongs, forceps or other mechanical means. Soiled linen and laundry should be handled as little as possible using gloves and other appropriate PPE. Soiled linen and laundry should not be stacked but washed immediately using regular laundry detergent and warm water. Eating utensils/dishes shall be washed in hot, soapy water after use. A dishwasher may be used if available. Disposal of sharps and other waste contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious materials. Sharps: Refer to II,B. Disposal of wastes contaminated with blood and other potentially infectious materials: Contaminated dressings, not meeting the definition of biomedical waste, will be wrapped separately, placed in a nonred plastic bag, secured and discarded in the home. Contaminated dressings, meeting the definition of biomedical waste, shall be disposed of in Home Health Agency Nursing Care & Procedures K-190