Infection Precautions

Penn Home Infusion Team
University of Pennsylvania Health System
Ultima Vez Modificado: 1 de noviembre del 2001

Caregivers must use infection safeguards when caring for a patient with a known or suspected infectious or contagious disease. Caregivers and patients should use the safeguards to lessen the chance of spreading infections. These steps are very important when handling items or supplies that were in contact with blood and other body fluids.

1. Wash your hands. (See the Handwashing section in this manual for more information.) If gloves are warn, wash your hands before putting them on and after taking them off. Keep your hands away from your face and mouth while working.
2. Penn HomeIT will supply you with a special container for throwing away needles and syringes. Keep the container near your work area and OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN AND PETS. Penn HomeIT will pick up the needle container and dispose of it safely.
3. Wear disposable gloves if there is a chance of having contact with blood, body fluids or equipment and supplies that have come in contact with blood or body fluids. You must always wear gloves if you have cuts or open sores on your hands.
4. Use a household bleach solution (1 part bleach to 1 part water) to clean spills and equipment that come in contact with blood or body fluids. Wear gloves to protect your hands while cleaning. KEEP BLEACH OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.
5. All supplies which have contact with blood or body fluids should be placed in a marked red plastic bag. These special bags will be delivered by Penn HomeIT, who will also pick them up and properly dispose of them.
6. Put all other infusion-related trash in a plastic lined container. When it is full, close it tightly and put it in a second plastic bag. This may then be discarded in your trash.