Hand Hygiene & PPE CRE

Define and list steps in medical asepsis.

Procedures used to reduce the number of microorganisms and prevent their spread. Hand hygiene, barrier techniques, and routine environmental cleaning are examples of medical asepsis.

Describe procedure for proper hand washing technique:

The vigorous, brief rubbing together of all surfaces of lathered hands followed by rinsing under water for at least 15 seconds. Done to remove microorganisms mechanically from the hands and rinsing with water.

What type of product should healthcare workers utilize to prevent drying and cracking skin, why?

Non-petroleum based hand lotion or skin protectant

Why is it important for the healthcare worker to protect their hands? What measures should be taken?

Contaminated hands of health care workers are a primary source of infection transmission in health care settings. It is recommended that health care workers have well manicured nails. Health care works should perform hand hygiene before, after, and between patient contact, before donning sterile gloves, after contact with bodily fluids, when moving from a contaminated to a clean body site during care, after contact with surfaces or objects in patient rooms, after removing gloves.

What is the single most prevention measure a healthcare worker performs to control spread of infection?

Hand hygiene

What is the leading cause of spread of infection in the healthcare setting?

Contaminated hands of a healthcare worker

How long must you wash your hands to safely remove bacteria?

At least 15 seconds, 20 seconds per CDC. So basically 15-20 seconds

What organisms are not killed by alcohol based hand solutions?

Spore-forming organisms such as C. Difficile, Bacillus anthracis, or Norovirus

What measures should the healthcare worker take to fight spores

Clean with bleach based cleaners and wash hand with soap and water

How much soap should you use to effectively wash your hands?

3-5mL

Describe how to dry your hands after proper hand washing:

Dry hands from fingers to wrist to avoid contamination, once paper towel is used from fingers to wrist discard and get a new paper towel. Distal to proximal

Why is splashed water onto the healthcare worker's clothes during hand washing a problem?

Microorganisms travel and grow in moisture

Describe the effective use of alcohol based hand sanitizer.

Recommended to improve hand hygiene practices, protect health care workers' hands, and reduce the transmission of pathogens to patients and personnel in health care settings.

List factors that may increase bacteria growth on the hands prior to handwashing

Cuts, poor personal hygiene, having long fingernails, wearing rings, bracelets, or watches

When is it appropriate to wear PPE?

When there is a risk exposure to infectious materials

Where/how do you dispose of PPE?

Designated disposal bags to prevent accidental exposure of personnel and contamination of surrounding environment.

List proper PPE for the following isolation precautions/transmission-based precautions: Airborne

Private room; negative-pressure airflow; surgical mask for patient for transportation, N95 for health care workers, gown and gloves when needed

List proper PPE for the following isolation precautions/transmission-based precautions: Droplet

Surgical mask within 6 feet, gloves, gown, private room or cohort patients

List proper PPE for the following isolation precautions/transmission-based precautions: Contact

Private room or cohort patients, gloves, gown

List proper PPE for the following isolation precautions/transmission-based precautions: Standard

Used for the care of all patients. Includes barrier precautions and the appropriate use of PPE such as gloves, gowns, masks, eyewear, and other protective devices and clothing

List steps for donning (applying) PPE in the correct order:

Gowns, mask, goggles/ face shield, gloves

List the steps for doffing (removing) PPE in the correct order:

Gloves, goggles/ face shield, gown, mask

What is the rationale for offering patients magazines, books, or audiotapes before leaving the room of a patient that is on isolation?

All items must be disposable after single patient use

Who are your protecting when using standard precautions?

Standard precautions prevent patients and health care workers from transmitting infection.

List 3 common organisms associated with these transmission-based precautions: Contact

VRE (Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus),

MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), Clostridium difficile,

Conjunctivitis,

ESBL (Extended spectrum beta-lactamase)

Herpes

Varicella

List 3 common organisms associated with these transmission-based precautions: Airborne

Measles

Open wound Varicella

Tuberculosis

Rubeola

Disseminated Herpes

List 3 common organisms associated with these transmission-based precautions: Droplet

Influenza A&B

Streptococcus

Meningitis

Pertussis

Diphtheria

Plague

Rubella

Mumps

rhinovirus

Describe the correct technique for removing used gloves:

Glove to glove, Skin to skin