What
should I know when employed as a health care worker?
Consider blood and body fluids from all patients as potentially
infective. Refer to "Universal Precautions" for preventing
transmission of bloodborne infectious diseases.
Report immediately a needlestick or sharp injury to a designated
person because if post-exposure chemoprophylaxis is to be implemented, it
should begin preferably within 1 to 2 hours after exposure.
What personal protection should I wear?
Wear gloves:
- if
you have open or healing wounds, or skin infections
- when
in contact with blood or body fluids, secretions, excretions or
non-intact skin
- when
in contact with surfaces or articles contaminated with blood or body
fluids
- when
performing venipuncture or other vascular access procedures
- when
carrying out cleaning or decontamination procedures
- Replace
torn or punctured gloves immediately.
- Use
new gloves for every patient.
Wear protective eye wear, masks or face shields:
- during
procedures likely to generate droplets of blood or body fluids.
Protective eye wear, masks and clothing are not needed for routine
care of AIDS virus-infected persons.
Wear gowns:
- when
the splashing of blood or body fluids may occur.
Wash hands:
- before
and after direct patient contact
- immediately
and thoroughly when contaminated by blood or body fluids
- after
removing gloves
- after
a glove tear or suspected glove leak, and
- before
leaving a work area.
The use of gloves does not eliminate the need for hand washing. Hand
washing is one of the most important procedures for the prevention of
transmission.
What precautions should I follow when
working with linen?
- Handle
soiled linen as little as possible.
- Bag
soiled linen at location.
- Transport
linen in impervious bag if outside of linen bag is soiled. Process
according to hospital policy.
- Do
not sort or rinse soiled linen in patient care area.
What precautions should I follow when
performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation?
- Use
mouthpieces or other ventilation devices for CPR. Avoid direct contact
with patients.
- Clean
and gas-sterilize equipment before reusing.
Document last updated on June 1, 2000
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