Infection Control and Standard Precautions
Clean hands, right order, every time
Hand hygiene is the single most effective way to stop infection. Perform it before and after every resident contact, before a clean or aseptic task, after contact with body fluids, and after touching surfaces near the resident. Soap and water for at least 20 seconds when hands are visibly soiled or after caring for a resident with C. difficile; alcohol-based rub otherwise.
Standard precautions mean treating all blood, body fluids, secretions, non-intact skin, and mucous membranes as potentially infectious - for every resident. Wear gloves when contact with body fluids is likely, but gloves never replace hand hygiene. Don other PPE as needed; in general, remove PPE before leaving the room, with gloves last, and clean hands immediately after.
Transmission-based precautions add to standard ones. Contact precautions (MRSA, C. diff, scabies) require gown and gloves, dedicated equipment, and often soap-and-water hand washing. Droplet precautions (influenza, pertussis) require a mask and a private room when possible. Airborne precautions (tuberculosis, measles) require an N95 respirator and a negative-pressure room. Follow the sign on the door.
Other everyday rules: bag linen at the bedside and never shake it; do not share resident care equipment without cleaning; do not recap needles - drop them in the sharps container; clean spills per policy; keep the catheter bag below bladder level and off the floor; provide perineal care front to back.
Traps: choosing alcohol rub after C. diff care, wearing gloves in the hallway, or skipping hand hygiene because gloves were worn.
Rule of thumb: hand hygiene before and after every resident, gloves or no gloves.