• policy

Avenue Home Care staff maintains infection control procedures and adheres to the use of universal precautions (recommended by the Center for Disease Control) to prevent transmission of infectious disease.

• purpose

1. To control the spread of infection.

2. To protect individuals from transmission of communicable/infectious diseases.

3. To ensure that agency staff is knowledgeable about and practice universal precautions to prevent the transmission of AIDS, HIV infection, and Hepatitis B.

• procedure

1. All new employees will, at orientation and annually thereafter, receive training regarding the agency’s infectious control procedures, including use of universal precautions, bloodborne pathogens in accordance with OSHA, and Tuberculosis in accordance with OSHA and the California State Departments of Health; preventative practices; waste disposal procedures; handling and cleaning procedures; communicable disease reporting; reporting of exposure; and post-exposure procedures.

2. Hand washing will occur before and after client contact, and immediately and thoroughly if contaminated with blood or body fluids, and after gloves are removed.

3. Disposable gloves will be worn when handling body fluids.

4. Disposable gloves will be worn when handling or cleaning objects, surfaces, or materials that are contaminated with body fluids.

5. Disposable gloves and CPR mask will be provided to each employee providing direct client care by the agency for emergency use. The agency does not supply gloves for the clients, only for the agency employees in the event that the client’s supply is gone or there is an emergent need that presents.

6. Any surfaces contaminated with body fluids must be cleaned with a disinfectant solution made of 1 part of household bleach to 10 parts of water. Clean the surface with soap and water before it is disinfected with bleach solution to avoid the release of noxious fumes.

7. Water used to clean contaminated surfaces or clothing should be flushed down the toilet.

8. Body fluids sponged or wiped up should be flushed down the toilet, not the kitchen or bathroom sinks.

9. Sponges or kitchen towels used to clean counters and dishes should never be used to clean the floor or to clean bathroom spills.

10. Mops or articles used to clean body fluids should be washed and soaked using the above disinfectant solution; do not rinse in the kitchen sink.

11. Do not clean and disinfect these articles in areas where food preparation and cooking occurs.

12. When cleaning equipment used by the client, use the disinfectant bleach solution described above unless otherwise directed by the client or family.

13. Soiled clothing, towels, linens, etc., should be washed in water with a detergent and bleach (if washing colored articles, use powered bleach safe for colored fabrics).

14. When handling clothing or articles soaked with body fluids, wear gloves and wash the clothing separately from other items.

15. Clients using needles in the home will be required to use an appropriate container for disposal.

16. Agency staff with open sores or weeping dermatitis will not provide direct client care or handle client equipment until the condition is resolved.

17. Potential exposure to infectious disease by agency personnel will be reported to the owner/administrator or supervisor immediately.

18. Agency staff that is immuno-suppressed will not be assigned to clients where there is a significant risk of substantial harm to them from an infectious disease.

19. Agency personnel who are known to be pregnant will not be assigned to clients where there is a significant risk of substantial harm to the fetus from infectious diseases.