Infection Control

Specialties Geriatric

Published

Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

I've always tried to use common sense with infection control matters. Most buildings I've run, the policy is: Contact Precautions...gown and glove if you are going to come in contact with the infected material. If someone has MRSA in a wound which is covered with a bandage, there is no need to gown up. The surveyors we had this week took issue with that. Anyone care to share what you do?

C Diff....gown and gloves while doing personal care but going in with a tray? Or a med? The roommate isn't gowned.

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Specializes in LTC.

That's how I've always operated in the facilities I have worked in.

I fail to see the point in gowning up to bring a glass of ice water to a resident with MRSA of the urine when they have a Foley, or a bandaged wound (unless I'm going to change the dressing, of course.)

In fact, the last two facilities I worked at allowed residents to go to meals and activities so long as their infections were "contained" via Foley or bandaging.

I guess I was wrong as well.

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

I don't think either one of us is wrong....risk and benefit. The risk of contactin MRSA from a covered wound is tiny. The benefit is a more normal life for the resident.

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Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

I'm with you CapeCod......that is my practice

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.

Does you policy support your practice? I would think that would cover you.

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I work at a Level 1 teaching hospital and we still utilize contact precautions for all patients with MRSA.

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

Hospitals are quite different from Skilled Facilities. We are supposed to be resident centered and as home-like as possible.

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