Friday February 10, 2012
Select Your Region

FAQ's - Frequently Asked Questions

 
Precautions/Isolation FAQs
 
1. What types of dishes are used when a patient is in isolation or under infection precautions?
[Northwestern Ontario ICN]

The answer to this question is found in the CDC environmental guidelines (2003) [http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/pdf/guidelines/Enviro_guide_03.pdf]:

"No special precautions are needed for dishes, glasses, cups, or eating utensils. Both disposable or reusable dishes and utensils can be used for patients on isolation precautions. The combination of hot water and detergents used in hospital dishwashers is sufficient to decontaminate dishes, glasses, cups, and eating utensils."

Therefore regular dishes are suitable for isolation patients. All used dishes should be handled as contaminated regardless of patient source.

2. Do visitors to a long-term care home need to wear gloves and gowns if the resident they are visiting has VRE?
[Waterloo Wellington ICN]
Gloves and gowns are worn to protect skin and clothing from potential contamination during direct care, such as changing wound dressings, or cleaning up feces. Visitors do not usually have this type of contact with residents, and therefore do not need to wear protective equipment during routine visiting. Hand hygiene after visiting the resident colonized with VRE is important, however to avoid picking up VRE on hands when touching objects that are potentially contaminated.
Education / Éducation