KING KHALID HOSPITAL INFECTION PREVENTION

ANDCONTROL MANUAL

BURN UNIT Dr. Nahla Abdel Kader, MD, PhD.

Infection Control Consultant, MOHInfection Control CBAHI Surveyor

Infection Prevention Control DirectorKKH.

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DEFINITION

Burn patients are susceptible to infection due to the loss of the body defensive barrier; therefore, the prevention of infection transmission in these patients is imperative. The Burn Unit is a critical care area and guidelines are required for preventative measures for this patient population

COMMENTS

1. Screening should be done promptly on patients that are transferred from another hospital, have been previously hospitalized within the last 6 months, or have a previous MDRO history.

2. Thermal injuries result in significant suppression of the immune system.3. Loss of integument and immunosupression after thermal injury results in a marked

increase in the risk for complicated infections.4. Infections are the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in burn patients.5. Observe empiric Contact Isolation Precautions.6. Standard Precautions Must Be Observed For All Patients Regardless Of The

Infection Status

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A. Employees are responsible to:

1. Comply with Employee Health (EH) guidelines.2. Report to EH for:a. Any suspected infections.b. Exposure to any communicable disease.c. Any significant exposure to body fluids through sharp

injuries, splashes, and/or non-intact skin contact.3. Practice stringent hand hygiene. Refer to ICM - II-04.a. (N.B.: An antiseptic hand hygiene agent or an alcohol rub

should be used for hand hygiene in burn units because the gram negative bacilli may be difficult to remove from the hands of the intensive care setting’s personnel).

4. Clean protective equipment. Refer to ICM – II-03 when performing dressing changes on all burn care procedures. All PPE must be removed before leaving patient’s room

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5. Change gloves when soiled before continuing with care at another site on the same patient.

6. Instruct patients/ sitters/ families regarding pertinent infection prevention measures.

7. Restrict plants and flowers at the bedside of patients because they harbor gram negative organisms such as pseudomonas species and fungi.

8. Practice aseptic technique for all patients care procedures requiring asepsis (catheter insertion and dressings).

9. Implement isolation precautions for patients infected/ colonized with epidemiological significant microorganisms. Notify Infection Control Practitioner.

10. For pediatric patents: In addition to the recommendations mentioned above; restrict non washable toys (stuffed animals, cloth objects)

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B. Patients/ Visitors:

1. Patients/ Visitors must adhere to the burn unit personnel’s recommendations/ instructions regarding infection prevention requirements (e.g. visiting other patient, PPE use, hand hygiene).

2. Visitors must be excluded from patient care area during dressing changes. If a visitor is needed during dressing (usually for small children) full protective equipment must be worn.

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D. Housekeeping:

1. Housekeeping practices should be stringently monitored by the unit Charge Nurse to ensure maximum control of common reservoirs, such as, soap dispensers, sinks and floors.

2. Only disinfectants that are approved by the hospital should be used.

3. There must be designated cleaning equipment (e.g. mops, pails, and wet vacuum) for use in the unit.

4. Housekeeping personnel should receive training on the special needs for environmental sanitation in the unit

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E. Central Sterilization and Supply Department (CSSD):

1. Send all reusable items to CSSD for reprocessing (cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing).

2. Develop procedures for cleaning and disinfecting all new equipment and submit to Infection Control Committee.

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F. Medical Waste Management:

Medical waste is waste that is potentially infectious to healthcare and housekeeper workers and the public and includes: Refer to ICM-IX-02 Infectious Waste Management

1. Human tissue, bone, organs, and fetus.2. Any vessel, bag, or tubing that contains blood and can

not be emptied.3. Bandages and dressing moderately or heavily soaked

with blood

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