Page 133 - fourth year book

HOME VISIT

Basic principles to prevent the acquisition and transmission of
microorganisms in the home (Routine practices);

Routine practices include;

A. The use of hand hygiene at all times; Wash hands with soap and
water or use an alcohol-based hand rub before and after contact
with people who may be infected or colonized.

B. The use of personal protective equipment (e.g., gloves, gowns,

masks, eye protection and face protection when indicated); wear
gloves if there is a chance of soiling of hands and perform hand
hygiene after removing the gloves.

C. Environmental controls such as;

 Clean surfaces with a standard household cleaning solution
that does not contain antibacterial agents.
 Promptly dispose of all potentially infectious waste in a
household waste receptacle.

Some of these practices cannot be readily implemented in the home
and should be tailored to the available resources, individual
situation and potential pathogen.

D. The nursing bag" will be used perfectly; the nursing bag has been

used by home care visiting staff for decades as a means to
transport patient care equipment and supplies to patients' homes.
By virtue of the bag coming in contact with the staff's hands, the
environment of the staff's vehicle and patients' homes (and ground
surfaces when wheeled rolling bags are used), and pathogenic
microorganisms can be brought into the patient's home or

transferred from one home to another. So the best practice
guidance should be followed for the management of the "nursing
bag" to prevent and control the transfer of microorganisms through
its use.

Patient education guidelines:

1. Clean and sanitary living conditions.
2. Good nutrition, personal hygiene and health education.
3. Routine use of infection control precautions.
4. Immunization and antibiotic administration.

5. The practice of Hand-washing.

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