Cleaning/Standard Precautions/MRSA & Open Wounds

Question 1

How do you clean areas of the clinic to avoid sharing bacteria and body fluids?

Answer 1

Exam room surfaces should be cleaned with an EPA- registered hospital detergent/disinfectant, or a 1:100 solution of diluted bleach.

Question 2

Describe 3/12 Standard Precautions

Card #1

Answer 2

1. Hand Hygiene: after touching body fluids or contaminated items, BTW pts., and when moving from a contaminated body site to a clean site on the same pt.
2. Wearing gloves when managing wounds.
3. Wearing gowns and eye protection as appropriate for procedures that are likely to generate splashes or sprays of body fluids.

Question 3

Describe 3/12 Standard Precautions

Card #2

Answer 3

1. In addition, contact precautions, which involve greater spatial separation of pts. (through placing infected pts. in private rooms).
2. Clean Exam room surfaces.
3. Disposal of used dressings- following the institutional policy.

Question 4

Describe the Remaining 6/12 Standard Precautions.

Card #3

Answer 4

1. Faucet handles, towel dispensers, soap bars, edges of basins and sinks = contaminated- avoid contact.
2. Avoid contact with outer surfaces of gloves.
3. Dispose of all sharps in puncture proof container immediately after use.
4. Avoid eating, drinking. smoking, applying cosmetics or lip balm in pt. care area.
5. Avoid contact with eyes, nose, mouth, and ears.
6. Report incidents of contact with a pt. body fluid or waste.

Question 5

What are the 5 Key Prevention Messages for pts. with MRSA/Open Wounds

Answer 5

1. Keep wounds that are draining covered with clean/dry bandages.
2. Clean hands regularly and immediately after touching skin or any item that had come in direct contact with a draining wound.
3. Do not share items/equipment that may have became contaminated with wound drainage.
4. If unable to keep your wound covered with a clean/dry bandage at all times, do not participate in activities where you may have skin to skin contact with others until your wound is healed.
5. Clean equipment and other environmental surfaces with which multiple individuals have bare skin contact with an over the counter detergent/disinfectant.