Page 92 - policy and procedure infection control
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Policies and Procedures on Infection Control
6. INFECTION CONTROL IN SPECIFIC HEALTHCARE
SETTING
6.1 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
6.1.1 Introduction
The prevention, control, and surveillance of infections within the Neonatal Services, includes
the newborn in special care and neonatal intensive care nurseries.
6.1.2 Personnel
6.1.2.1 Employee Health
• Personnel must understand the risks of transmission of contagious diseases
to newborns and report acute infections to their immediate supervisor.
• Personnel with airborne infections should not work.
• Personnel with exudative hand dermatitis, staphylococcal skin lesions, or
herpetic hand lesions should not perform direct patient care.
• Needle stick/sharps injuries must be reported immediately in accordance
with hospital policy documented in the Infection Control Manual.
6.1.2.2 Education
• The principles of infection control are presented during staff orientation.
Policies specific to Neonatal Unit are covered during orientation to the nursery.
• All staff will attend regular in-services in Infection Control practices, including
hand hygiene, sharps safety, Personal Protective Equipment , and medical
waste training.
6.1.2.3 Personal Protective Equipment
• The routine use of gowns has not been supported by systematic review of
literature. However, expert opinion suggests that protective clothing should
be worn by all health care practitioners when contamination with blood,
body fluids, secretions, and excretions (with the exception of sweat), or
when close contact with the patient, materials or equipment may lead to
contamination of the clothing with microorganisms.
• Personnel will wear a scrub suit when doing invasive procedures
• Gloves must be worn for invasive procedures, contact with sterile sites, and
non-intact skin, mucous membranes, and all activities that have been
assessed as carrying a risk of exposure to blood, body fluids, secretions
and excretions; and when handling sharp or contaminated instruments.
Ministry of Health Malaysia 81
