Infection control guidelines for handling blood & body fluids spills

Infection control guidelines for handling blood & body fluids spills

1. Types of spills

a. Major spill:

If spill blood/body fluid quantity is >30 ml, it should be considered as a major spill.

b. Minor Blood spill:

If spill blood or body fluid quantity is <30 ml, it should be considered as a minor spill.

2. The content of the spill:

Sputum, vomit, stools, urine, blood, or laboratory culture.

3. Whom to contact in case of spill:

a. In case of minor spill
Concerned department nursing staff should instruct housekeeping staff to wear PPE and clean the spill area with 1% Sodium hypochlorite added solution.

b. In case of major spill
In-charge nurse should inform the HAZMAT team.

4. Members of the hazmat team:

• Floor administrator

• Floor Housekeeping supervisor

• Infection control nurse

• In charge nurse

• Shift in charge nurse

• Ward boy

5. Contents of Spill kit

• Gloves

• Gown

• Face mask

• CAP

Universal Standard Precautions

For Infection Control

1. Hand Hygiene

2. Personnel Protective Equipments

3. Safe Handling and Disposal of Sharps

4. Follow needle stick injury protocol

5. Safe Handling and Disposal of Wastes

6. Managing Blood and Body Fluids

7. Disinfection of the Equipments

8. Environmental Disinfection

9. Immunization

10. Isolation

Hand Hygiene :

Hand wash/hand rub is the most effective way to prevent the spread of infections in hospitals:

• Before and after each patient contact

• Before and after any procedure

• Before and after wearing gloves

• After contact with body fluids

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LIST OF HIGH ALERT MEDICATIONS

• LEVOSIMENDAN

• DOPAMINE

• DOBUTAMINE

• ADRENALINE

• ISOPRENALINE

• NOR-ADRENALINE

• DIGOXIN

• MILRINONE

• THEOPHYLLINE

• INSULIN

• DILTIAZEM

• VERAPAMIL

• FLECAINIDE

MODERATE SEDATION AGENTS

• MIDAZOLAM

• DIAZEPAM

• LORAZEPAM

NARCOTICS / OPIATES, IV AND ORAL

• FENTANYL

• MORPHINE

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 Prolactin Hormone Test Normal Values - Hormones

• Prolactin Normal Values : 4.79 – 23.3 ng/mL

Reference Ranges :

• Pre-menopausal females: 3.3 – 26.7 ng/mL
• Pregnancy: 9.7 – 208.5 ng/mL
• Post-menopausal females: 2.7 – 19.6 ng/mL
• Males: 2.6 – 13.1 ng/mL

Possible Reasons for Elevated Prolactin:

• Physiological causes: stress, sleep, physical activity, sexual activity, nipple stimulation
• Pathological causes: pituitary tumors (e.g., prolactinoma), hypothyroidism, PCOS
• Medications: antipsychotics, antidepressants, antiemetics
• Macroprolactin: biologically inactive prolactin complex (suggested if symptoms are absent)

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Bedsores (Pressure Ulcers) - Symptoms, Grades, Complications and Treatment

 Bedsores ( Pressure Ulcers )

Introduction

Damage of skin and under laying tissues.

Places : 

heels, elbows, back of the herd, tailbone(coccyx).

Bedsore Grades : 

4 levels.

Grade 1 :

Skin discoloration(red, blue, purple, black)

Treatment : symptomatic Treatment

Grade 2 :

Some skin loss / damage to top layers. 

Treatment : Dressing

Grade 3 :

Necrosis(death) or damage to the skin path. limited to the skin layers. Blister Formation.

Grade 4 :

Necrosis (death) or damage of skin patch and underlying structures. 

Treatment : Antibiotic

Example : Tendon  joint or bone

COMPLICATIONS:

1) sepsis (Bacteria entering into blood stream)

2) Cellulitis (Inflammation of body tissue causing swelling and  redness.

3) Bone and Joint Infection.

4) Abscess (A collection of pus)

5) Cancer (Squamous cell carcinoma)

Treatment :

Position change : 2nd

Daily skin care : keep skin moisture

Nutritious diet : Protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, Zinc.

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