Infection Control - Inflammation

Cleaning and disinfection

Disinfect or sterilize surfaces, such as bed rails, computer keyboards, nightstands, phones, and toilets.

Cough etiquette/respiratory courtesy

Wear masks; cover mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. Maintain three feet distances from others when you have a cold or flu.

Drug formulary restrictions

Limit prescribing privileges for antibiotics to designated specialists.

Hand hygiene

Use alcohol-based rubs, or wash hands after contact with any blood, body fluids, or potentially contaminated items or patients.

Isolation procedures

Follow protocols for isolation of patients who are bleeding, coughing, giving off other excretions, secretions, or potentially hazardous body fluids. Segregate patients during outbreaks of infectious diseases. Separate immune-suppressed patients from others with potentially communicable diseases.

Laundry/linen and food service management

Gather patient clothing, eating utensils, gowns, sheets, and towels without contaminating other objects used in patient care. Gown and glove while collecting and washing laundry. Perform hand hygiene after laundry management procedures.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) use

Wear gloves, goggles, gowns, masks, and shoe covers while performing patient care procedures whenever exposure to blood, body fluids, aerosols, or splashes are possible. Dispose of PPEs in designated containers.

Resuscitation and invasive airway management

Avoid mouth-to-mouth contact with patients; wear personal protective equipment at all times, such as particulate respirators or masks. Disinfect or sterilize endoscopes, intubation equipment, nebulizers, face masks, e.g., for CPAP or supplemental oxygen, or other respiratory care devices.

Sharps (management of needles, wires, etc.)

Maintain sharps in open view, to avoid accidental injuries. Never recap or manipulate needles used in patient care. Dispose of sharp objects in puncture-proof solid waste containers.

Source control

Apply anti-infective rubs or soaps to patients to limit their colonization by disease-causing bacteria

Standard/universal precautions

Follow universal precautions during every patient encounter.