Hygiene

What are the different isolation precautions?

Contact: direct and indirect; ex: MRSA Droplet (cough, sneeze, talk); ex: MMR, Pertussis, SARS, Flu, Meningitis, TB Aiborne: air/dust particles Airborne plus contact: chicken pox Protective: ppl who are immunocompromised

What is the sequence for doffing PPE?

Gloves Goggles/face shield Gown Face mask or respirator

In what circumstances is hand rubbing more effective than hand washing [or vice versa]?

Hand washing is more effective than rubbing if hands are visibly dirty or if CDIF is suspected

Who was the first person implement handwashing to prevent the spread of infection? When did this happen?

Ignaz Semmelweis in 1840's Vienna, Italy Hand scrub w/chlorinated lime solution

When can isolation precautions be discontinued?

It depends on type of isolation Contact: typically must have 3 negative cultures

Whose hands do you not want to shake because they don't use good hand hygiene?

Male Caucasians

What type of PPE would you use for working with a pt w/TB?

N95 mask only

In the Anderson hygiene article, did having hand sanitizer in the RR increase hand hygiene?

No, hand sanitizer use was low when students were given the option

In the Anderson hygiene article, how many performed hand hygiene?

Overall, 72.9% of students washed their hands, 58.3% practiced hand hygiene (using either soap or hand sanitizer), and 26.1% washed their hands adequately. In general, hand hygiene practices were better in academic buildings than in the student recreation center.

What does the term "colonized" mean?

People who carry bacteria without evidence of infection (fever, increased white blood cell count) are colonized

What is PPE?

Personal Protective Equipment "Specialized clothing or equipment worn by an employee for protection against infectious materials" (OSHA)

What is the cycle of cross contamination?

Reservoir (host) -> method of exit -> method of transmission -> method of entry (new host) -> susceptible host -> infection develops in new host

In the Anderson hygiene article, what was the preferred [hand washing] method?

Soap & water Paper towel was most common hand-drying method

Why should you only use facility-approved and supplied lotions/moisturizers?

Some lotions may make medicated soaps less effective Some lotions cause breakdown of latex gloves Lotions can become contaminated with bacteria if dispensers are refilled

What was the purpose of the Anderson hygeine article?

This observational study was conducted to evaluate gender and race/ethnic differences in hand hygiene practices among college students

Which hand hygiene method is best at killing bacteria?

alcohol-based handrub

What type of PPE would you use for cleaning a pt after going to the bathroom?

gloves & gown

What type of PPE would you use during wound care?

gown, gloves, mask, eye protection

At what point during the cycle of cross contamination can we most effectively "break" the cycle?

method of transmission

What type of PPE would you use for taking vital signs?

nothing

What type of PPE would you use for transporting a pt. in a WC?

nothing

What do standard/universal precautions imply?

pretend like everyone's infected; always wash your hands

What is the single most important reason for healthcare workers to practice good hand hygiene?

to prevent infections that patients acquire in the hospital

What is the sequence of donning PPE?

• Gown first • Mask or respirator • Goggles or face shield • Gloves ****If using cap then that goes on before mask.***