Emergency Preparedness

Kern Medical Bioterrorism Response Guide Section 2A – STANDARD AND CONTACT PRECAUTIONS

Handwashing Wash hands with soap (antimicrobial or non-antimicrobial) and water after protected (gloved) and unprotected (ungloved) contact with visible blood, body fluids (secretions, excretions [urine and feces], wound drainage and skin visibly soiled with blood and body fluids). Wash hands before leaving the immediate vicinity of patient contact (patient room, cubicle, or bathroom). After handwashing, avoid touching the patient and surfaces or items in the immediate vicinity of the patient (bedpans, bed rails, and bedside tables). Decontaminate hands with an alcohol or quaternary ammonium -based (“quat”) product after contact with invisible soil (protected or unprotected hands have not been in contact with visible blood or body fluids) and after prolong contact with the clean, dry intact skin of the patient (lifting, turning, ambulating). Transporting Patients Transport patients to diagnostic services according to facility procedure. Laboratory Specimens Transport specimens to the laboratory according to facility procedure. Specimens should not be sent to the laboratory by a tube system. Laboratory personnel should adhere to the chain of custody protocols developed by CDHS and the FBI. Dietary Trays Transport dishes and utensils to the kitchen for routine dishwashing. Disposable equipment is not necessary. Patient Care Equipment Equipment such as bedpans, urinals, and emesis basins should be cleaned in a manner that prevents splashing and spraying of blood and body fluids onto the healthcare worker’s clothing, skin and mucous membrane. Reusable equipment that requires cleaning and disinfection or sterilization should be sent to central service in covered containers for reprocessing. Disposable equipment not intended for reuse should be discarded. Housekeeping Clean environmental surfaces daily, when visibly soiled with blood and body fluids, and after the patient is discharged from the room with an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered disinfectant. Soiled Linen

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