Question about isolation patients???

[luvmy3kids]

Hey all, I am working at a hospital right now and I have a question about isolation patients. (I haven't started NS yet so I don't know a lot about this and when I was trained in, nothing was said to me other than "wash your hands and put on a gown")

What are my risks when entering a patients room that has MRSA? or VRE?

All I do is simply give them a form to sign (and a pen) and then leave the room. I have no contact with bodily fluids or anything like that. I gown up and wash my hands. I also wear a mask if one is hanging on the door (this isn't always the case though).

I also was curious about what Enteric Isolation means and how it differs from Contact Isolation.

I really don't want to be exposed to anything dangerous (or something I could bring home to my kids) nor do I want to expose something I may have (cold or flu bug) to a patient that is compromised).

I've tried to look up this stuff online and I really don't get a whole lot of information. The nurses are always so busy that I really can't bother them, and half the time they are walking in and out of these rooms without the gear on anyhow.

Any help you have would be greatly appreciated. I just want to be sure I'm doing everything I can to protect myself and the patients.

[talaxandra]

MRSA and VRE are easily removed with alcohol rub or warm water and soap. The isolation precautions are primarily aimed at reducing the likelihood of you transmitting them to other patients, whose wounds etc may become colonised, than reducing risk to yourself - for people without wounds and with healthy immune systems these bugs are not problematic, even to children. There are many people in the community who have these bugs and need not take special precautions.

I haven't come across the term "enteric precautions" before, but assume it means that there's a communicable bug in the lower part of the digestive tract, and that the patient has diarrhoea. Once again, a gown and gloves will be adequate protection for you.

I hope this helps :)

[luvmy3kids]

Thank you so much! I've been extremely worried about this. I am very careful about keeping my hands and the stuff I have with me clean (especially between patients).

I really appreciate your answer. Thanks again!

[wifeandmomoftwo]

Make sure and wash your hands with real soap and water (not hand sanitizer) when enteric precautions are being taken. If the patient has C-Diff hand sanitizer won't kill it. You might have known this but wanted to make sure :)

[luvmy3kids]

Make sure and wash your hands with real soap and water (not hand sanitizer) when enteric precautions are being taken. If the patient has C-Diff hand sanitizer won't kill it. You might have known this but wanted to make sure :)

Thank you so much for this information! I didn't know that. They do have a posted sign on the hand sanitizer that hangs outside the room that says you need to wash with soap and water, but I didn't know why.

Can I ask why sanitizer doesn't work with C-diff? Is that what enteric means?? TIA

[Penelope_Pitstop, BSN, RN]

Thank you so much for this information! I didn't know that. They do have a posted sign on the hand sanitizer that hangs outside the room that says you need to wash with soap and water, but I didn't know why.

Can I ask why sanitizer doesn't work with C-diff? Is that what enteric means?? TIA

It's because of the spores the toxin produces. It's the same with Norovirus. Soap and water with plenty of friction will rid your hands of the spores. And bleach will clean the stuff off of surfaces.

As for masks, they aren't necessary unless the offending toxin is in the sputum. Usually, MRSA is in the wounds, VRE in the urine, C. Diff in the gut, but they can be in other places.

However, if a patient is on droplet precautions (i.e. flu), do add a mask to your personal protective gear.

If a patient is in airborne precautions, a special mask containing a respirator is required. Have you been fit-tested for an N-95 mask? If not, you'd need to wear a big, hulky thing called a PAPR device.

Have you had chicken pox? If not, DO NOT enter a room with a patient under chicken pox precautions. Also, don't do it if you're pregnant.

The best bet is to ask why the patient is on isolation, where the bug is coming from, and...the asbsolute best thing you can do is familiarize yourself with your facility's infection control manual. It's invaluable!