CMS Infection Control Changes; Up-dates from Excellentia Advisory Group
Important News Updates to CMS Infection Control Audits April 2011

in this issue

From the Desk of Mary Bennett, RN, CIC

DISPATCH�

Staphylococcus Part 2

Surgical Masks

Ceiling Tiles

Questions & Answers


 

From the Desk of Mary Bennett, RN, CIC
Mary Bennett RN CIC



2-day Infection Control Seminar

Event icon


Facebook Logo


New 2011 AORN Guideline Changes

Webinar_monitor_clipart



Our Seminar Sponsors

Jani-King



Greetings ASC Administrator or Directors!
  • DISPATCH�
  • DISPATCH� Hospital Cleaner Disinfectant Towels with Bleach Receive U.S. EPA Registration to Kill Clostridium difficile Spores in Five Minutes

    DISPATCH� Press Release
  • Staphylococcus Part 2
  • In case you missed Part 1 of Staphylococcus, visit our newsletter archives for March 2011 or CLICK HERE for that article link. We will continue to explore the genus of micro-organisms known as Staphylococcus concluding with the coagulase positive staphylococci. Staphylococci are gram positive cocci that comprise about 40 species....

    Click for the whole article
  • Surgical Masks
  • Surgical masks are required to be worn in the restricted area when there open sterile supplies and equipment present.

    A surgical mask is protective for both the health care worker and for the patient. A mask protects the health care worker from infections transmitted by respiratory droplets and protects the mouth and nose from splashes or sprays of blood or bodily fluids. A mask protects the patient from micro-organisms in the health care worker's nose and mouth. For optimal protection of the health care worker, the mask must be worn properly, it should:

    • Cover the nose and mouth of the wearer
    • Fit closely to prevent venting around the mask
    • Fresh clean mask for each procedure
    • Not permitted to hang around the neck
    • Worn one mask at a time
    • Removed by handling the ties
    • Hand hygiene after removing mask


    As a part of Infection Control Practices for Special Lumbar Puncture Procedures listed in Standard Precautions, a mask is to be worn for certain spinal access procedures such as placing a catheter or injecting material into the epidural or spinal space. The mask is worn to prevent the droplet spread of oral flora during these procedures.

    Please see the CDC Clinical Reminder about the risk for bacterial meningitis when spinal injections are performed without wearing a face mask.

    Clinical Reminder from CDC
  • Ceiling Tiles
  • We have been asked many times why surveyors have an issue with stained ceiling tiles.

    The ceiling tiles that are in suspended ceiling systems are usually made from porous materials. If they become stained, that means they have been wet for some reason. Of course, the reason the ceiling tiles have gotten wet is a concern. Is there a leak in the roof, a leak in fixtures or in water or sewer pipes, is water from condensation dripping onto the ceiling tiles?

    Stained ceiling tiles are a sign that may be problems that need to be addressed. Wet ceiling tiles provide a medium for growth of molds and fungi. In addition to the mold and fungal organisms acting as allergens, they can also be a pathogen. Immune-suppressed persons are at increased risk for infections with fungal organisms and the infection can be life-threatening. Stained ceiling tiles should be replaced and the source of water intrusion or condensation identified and remedied. If the cause of moisture is not addressed, subsequently installed ceiling tiles will likely become wet and promote mold growth. When the ceiling tiles are replaced, measures to prevent contamination of the environment with dust particles, and mold spores must be used. Impervious tiles for suspended ceilings are available and have the advantage of being cleanable however like with the porous tiles; the source of moisture should be remedied.

  • Questions & Answers
  • These are some of the many interesting questions that were posed during our 2 day St. Louis Infection Prevention Conference on March 4-5, 2011:

    1. Our scrubs are housed on an open cart; do we need to have these covered?
    2. ANSWER: Beth Ann Ayala CIC responds yes this would be best practice and not that costly to do so yes please cover.
    3. All we do are urine tests; do we still need a CLIA waiver?
    4. ANSWER: Mary Andrus, RN, CIC answers yes, and make sure you monitor yours for the expiration date so you don't get caught up in a potential problem.
    5. We do not see currently infected patients. Anyone with a past history or MRSA is done at the end of the day. Are we wasting valuable time by doing this, is it really necessary?
    6. ANSWER: Kathleen McMullen, MPH, CIC responded that this is an excellent process and one that, even though takes extra steps to execute, is valuable in your overall operations. It is the "can't be too careful" attitude that we should all adopt when you have access to this baseline information.
    7. When our smokers go outside then return they are not changing their scrubs (they wore a lab coat). Is this correct?
    8. ANSWER: Brenda Helms, BSN. CIC, responds if they are part of the OR or Procedure team they do need to change once they have been outside. Wearing of the lab coat is not sufficient, unless they are not working in your restricted area.
    9. N95 masks are not available at our facility because our policy is not to see TB patients. Is this policy strong enough?
    10. ANSWER: Brenda Helms, BSN CIC indicates this would be a problem as far as OSHA is concerned as you need to provide N95 masks for your employees, also remember they need an annual fit test. You would be surprised that at 2 pound weigh shift can really change the shape the face.

    :: 636-875-5088 extension 104