INFECTION CONTROL

The patient/caregiver should observe all healthcare workers they meet and encourage and remind healthcare workers to wash their hands prior to providing care. 

Items that touch only intact skin (e.g., blood pressure cuff, stethoscopes, thermometers, and other medical accessories) rarely, if ever, transmit disease. These items will be cleaned with alcohol after each use. Should any piece of item become contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious material, the item should be cleaned with a chemical germicide.

All excretions, secretions, blood, and drainage should be discarded in the toilet.

To minimize contamination during use, products must be handled in a manner that will protect them from contamination. These procedures include the following:

• Wash hands, making sure to use good hand washing technique.

• Unpack and handle products in a manner consistent with preservation of optimal cleanliness.

• Properly store all products