SAFETY
SAFETY
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Infec tion Preve ntion
Infec tion Preve ntion (continue d)
Laundry and equipment care • Always wear gloves when handling soiled linens. • Clean personal care items, such as a bedside commode, immediately after use. Clean with the bleach solution made daily – 10 ounces of water with 1 ounce of bleach. Please note that bleach so- lution loses its disinfectant ability after 24 hours. • Dilute household disinfectants (such as Lysol) to wipe off equipment if you cannot use the bleach solution. • Wash small items in hot soapy water and dry with clean paper towels. • Wipe glass or plastic thermometers with rubbing alcohol before and after each use unless you have a disposable sleeve as a cover for each use. • Discard body fluids, such as urine or vomit, in the toilet. Wear gloves, and clean the container with the 1:10 bleach solution, rinse and dry. • Wash patient’s soiled laundry separately from other household laundry. Bleach or a disinfectant (such as Lysol) may be added to the laundry.
Your Care Team takes Precautions Including: • Washing their hands or using hand sanitizers when visiting. • Wearing gloves when caring for the patient. • Keeping their equipment and supplies clean. • Not visiting when they know they are sick.
Many illnesses and some treatments can make it easier for a patient to get an infection. It’s impor- tant to prioritize hand washing and hygeine for both the patient and those who visit. In addition, reducing exposure to illnesses and other germs that might cause infection is important.
CALL YOUR CARE TEAM IF: • Patient develops an increased cough with spitting up sputum or mucus. • Patient develops a sore throat, colored mucus in nose or throat, or red, itchy eyes with crust on the eyelashes. • Patient develops new red, streaked, puffy, or warm areas on skin. • Skin, cuts, or wounds begin to drain. • Patient’s urine begins to smell bad or look cloudy. • Dressings on skin or places where tubes or needles enter the skin begin to look irri- tated, red, swollen, wet, or smell bad. • Patient develops a fever over 101 degrees.
Tips for Preventing Infection
Hand Washing/Sanitizing • Always use soap and running water and wash for 15-20 seconds (singing “Happy Birthday” as you wash). • You do not have to use hot water, which may ex- cessively chap hands and injure skin. • You may use an alcohol hand sanitizer to cleanse hands that are not visibly soiled. Apply product to palm of one hand in an amount sufficient to wet both hands. Vigorously rub hands together to cov- er all surfaces of hands and fingers until hands are dry. Do not use tissue or a towel to dry your hands.
• When to wash your hands: ◦ Before and after handling any type of patient equipment, soiled laundry or contaminated materials, even if you have worn gloves. ◦ Immediately before providing care to the pa- tient. ◦ After caring for personal needs, such as using the toilet, nose blowing, combing hair, sneezing or coughing. ◦ Before and after wearing gloves.
Cover Your Cough & Sneeze • Many illnesses and some treatments can make it easier for a patient to get an infection. • Cover your cough or sneeze to help stop the spread of germs that make you and others sick. • Always clean your hands after coughing or sneezing when caring for the patient. Cleaning spills • Clean blood and body fluid spills by wiping up with paper towels; al- ways wear disposable gloves.
• To clean any bodily fluids or waste: make a bleach solution each day – 10 ounces of water with 1 ounce of bleach. Please note that bleach solution loses its disinfectant ability after 24 hours. • Place clothes and linens in a securely closed plastic bag until laun- dered separately. Trash disposal • Always wear gloves when handling trash. • Place disposable items soiled with body fluids or waste in a plastic bag and pour a small amount of fresh bleach solution over the items. Seal the bag securely and place in outside trash.
866.466.9734 • FourSeasonsCare.org
866.466.9734 • FourSeasonsCare.org
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