Page 93 - policy and procedure infection control

Policies and Procedures on Infection Control

• Gloves should be worn as single use items. Put gloves on immediately
before an episode of patient contact or treatment and remove them as soon
as the activity is completed. Change gloves between caring for different
patients, or between different care/treatment activities for the same patient.
• Mask and eye protection or face shield must be worn to protect the mucous
membranes of the eyes, nose, and mouth during procedures that are likely
to generate splashes or sprays of blood, body fluids, secretions, and
excretions.
• Gloves should be worn by personnel taking care of infants with respiratory
viral infections to reduce the risk of accidental self-inoculation.
• A closed incubator may be used in maintaining barrier precautions, but
since surfaces and entry ports readily become contaminated by hands, the
outside of the incubator should always be considered contaminated.

6.1.3 Procedures

1. Full aseptic techniques should be observed whenever invasive techniques are
performed on the patient, which include sterile gowns, masks and gloves.
2. Remove used gloves and wash hands before attending to another patient or before
going to another location. The gloves are to be disposed of immediately after each
use as clinical waste.
3. Blood and secretion specimens are not to be placed on the writing table.
4. Care of IV lines :
• Full aseptic technique for insertion of central venous lines. Chlorhexidine in alcohol
may be used prior to the setting of arterial line, except in ELBW infants where
aqueous chlorhexidine can be used. However, the optimal antiseptic agent for
skin antisepsis is not known.
• Povidone iodine may be used prior to setting arterial line in older infants. Residual
iodine on the skin should be removed with sterile water or normal saline.
• Dressings are changed whenever there is contamination with blood.
• Keep three way taps ports clear of blood contamination at all times and the port
not to be left open to air, and must be spigotted if not in use.
• IV line tubing which is temporarily disconnected should be protected from
contamination.
• TPN lines should be a closed system with no other infusions running with it. In-
line filters should be used.
• Injections of drugs should preferably be without needle and given through an
injection port.
• IV cannulae are to be removed when no longer required; after 5–7 days, or if there
are signs of local inflammation.

82 Ministry of Health Malaysia