Infection Control

PATIENT INFORMATION

Always read your medication labels carefully to verify: correct name, correct medication, correct dose, and correct frequency.

STORAGE OF MEDICATION

Most of your I.V. medications need to be stored in the refrigerator as stated on the label. Always check the label for instruction, name, and medication. Some medications need to be stored in the freezer and this will be indicated on the label if necessary. Everything else is stored at room temperature. If you have any questions, please call Oso Home Care.

INFECTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT:

1. Gloves (non sterile)
2. Sharps-like container
3. Heavy plastic bags

PROCEDURE:

1. To help minimize the spreading of germs, hands should be washed thoroughly, including brushing under and around fingernails. Scrub hands and forearms up to the elbow. Dry with a clean paper or cloth towel.
2. You should ALWAYS wash your hands:
   
   • Before and after touching any medications, supplies, dressings, or any open wounds.
   • Before performing any procedure
   • After you use the bathroom
3. Caregivers and/or visitors should also wash their hands and be careful if they have a cough to protect you from getting sick if your medical condition causes you to have a lower immune system.
4. Contact with all relatives and visitors should be minimized if they have any colds or infections.
5. Gloves should be worn when you are touching any infected skin, wounds, or materials with blood.
6. Gloves also maybe required to be worn when performing certain aseptic technique procedures (you will be instructed by your nurse when to wear gloves).
7. Gloves should be used once only.
8. NEVER RECAP NEEDLES.
9. NEVER BREAK NEEDLES.
10. Place all used needles, IV catheters, and syringes with needles in the Sharps container.
11. Contaminated dressings, tissues, and used gloves must be placed in heavy plastic bags before disposal.
12. Always wash clothing, bedding, or towels separately that have been soiled with blood or body fluids (i.e. vomit). Use hot water and bleach.
13. Dishes and utensils should be washed with hot water and dish washing soap.
14. Use a clean cloth to dry dishes.
15. Never use the same cloth to dry dishes that was used for something else.
16. Bathrooms should be kept clean at all times. 17. All relatives and visitors should also follow these guidelines.
17. All relatives and visitors should also follow these guidelines.
18. Always utilize "universal precautions."

CLEAN TECHNIQUE

Aseptic technique refers to the method used to perform a procedure that will keep the sterile materials free from bacteria. There are bacteria on the skin, which is not harmful as long as it remains on the skin. Most areas inside the body are free from bacteria that is, sterile.

Bacteria can enter into these areas through contaminated solutions or supplies. Touching sterile parts of supplies can cause contamination and lead to an infection.

Using aseptic technique when working with your supplies, solutions and equipment can prevent infection: Aseptic technique is the most important procedure you will learn. It cannot be stressed enough. Again, this is the most important thing you can do to prevent infection.

The following are basics of aseptic technique:

1. Hand washing.
2. Handling sterile equipment and supplies.

1. Hand Washing

Hands that are not visibly dirty need to be washed just as thoroughly as visibly dirty hands. Bacteria normally found on the skin of the hands and those bacteria otherwise collected during daily activity on the hands can cause infection.

REMEMBER: Always wash your hands before handling equipment before doing any procedures.

1. You will need the following supplies for hand washings:
   
   • Antibacterial soap
   • Running water
   • Paper towel
2. Hand Washing Procedure
   • Remove jewelry as this is a hiding place for bacteria.
   • Wet hands and apply soap, Scrub at east two minutes.
   • Rinse hands well in running water.
   • Dry hands thoroughly with a paper towel.
   • Turn off the faucet with the paper towel.

2. HANDLING STERILE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

Most of the supplies you will use for your therapy have been sterilized, packaged and sealed.

All solutions you will use are prepared and sealed using sterile technique. To keep solutions equipment and supplies sterile carefully follow these instructions:

1. Always wash your hands when handling supplies and before all procedures.
2. Utilize a quiet place to do your procedure to decrease traffic flow through the area and the amount of distractions.
3. DO NOT USE any solution if:
   
   • The expiration date has passed; OR
   • The solution is cloudy, discolored or if particles are floating in the solution OR
   • The solution container has cracks, chips, tears, leaks, or damaged caps.
4. Make sure all packages are sealed. Discard anything with a broken seal. If there is moisture inside packages which are supposed to be dry, discard the item.
5. Do not touch a sterile item with your fingers. Do not let the item touch any non-sterile surface including the outside of its package.
6. After removing protective caps do not touch the exposed area with your fingers or allow them to touch any non-sterile surface.
7. Do not touch the shaft of the syringe plunger with your fingers.
8. When in doubt throw it out! Do not use anything you think may be contaminated. It is much more expensive to be hospitalized for an infection than to obtain extra supplies.
9. Work with solutions and supplies in front of you and at waist level. This enables you to get better view and prevent contamination.
10. DO NOT take "short-cuts" with your procedure.