Pandemic Influenza Plan - Questar III

Section 4: Infection Control
A. Basic infection control principles for preventing the spread of pandemic
influenza for all pandemic periods
• Limit exposure to infectious/potentially infectious persons (i.e., febrile respiratory
symptoms).
o Identify potentially infectious individuals and physically isolate if
possible/indicated for the setting.
o Promote spatial separation in common areas (i.e., maintain at least 3 feet
from symptomatic persons).
• Protect healthcare workers from exposure to the influenza virus while delivering
care.
o Wear a surgical or procedure mask for close contact with infectious
patients (i.e., within 3 feet).
o Wear personal protective equipment (i.e., gloves, gowns, mask and eye
protection) to prevent contact with respiratory secretions and skin, mucous
membranes and clothing (i.e., standard precautions).
o Perform hand hygiene after contact with infectious patients or their
immediate environment. Reinforce compliance with hand hygiene by:
• Educating on the importance of hand hygiene for the prevention of
transmission of infectious agents;
• Providing easy access to hand hygiene products at the point of care.
• See CDC Guideline for Hand Hygiene in Health Care Settings
(http://www.cdc.gov/handhygiene/) for more details on guidance and
suggestions for improving adherence.
o Educate healthcare workers to avoid touching their eyes, nose or mouth
with contaminated hands (gloved or ungloved) while delivering care and
until they perform hand hygiene.
o Food and drink should not be consumed by healthcare workers in patient
care areas where contamination is likely.
• Contain infectious respiratory secretions
o Implement the use of respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette
o Promote the use of masks by symptomatic persons in common areas (e.g.,
waiting areas) or when being transported (e.g., in emergency vehicles).
• Assure adequate cleaning of the patient care environment by:
o Assessing the protocols used by your facility for daily and discharge
cleaning to assure adequacy. They should minimally include:
• Daily cleaning of:
horizontal surfaces (e.g., over-bed table, night stand).
frequently touched surfaces (e.g., bed rails, phone);
lavatory surfaces.
• Discharge cleaning of:
surfaces described above.
visibly soiled vertical surfaces (e.g., walls, curtain dividers).
frequently touched surfaces such as light switches and door
knobs.
February 7, 2006 4-5