HLTINF001 – Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures;
(from Nationally Accredited Training)
T De Maria 15/9/22
Change protective clothing frequently
Change protective clothing and gowns/aprons daily, more frequently if soiled and where appropriate, after each client contact
Use of personal protective clothing and equipment is built into the descriptions of all four kinds of isolation precautions (Standard, Contact, Droplet, and Airborne) described by the CDC. Use appropriate barriers and/or PPE whenever you may have contact with the blood or body fluids of any client and to prevent exposure to the droplets of clients with respiratory symptoms.
A barrier is a material object that separates a person from a hazard. The type of PPE selected should be based on the procedure and reasonably anticipated events such as:
- blood or body fluid splash
- contact with minimal bleeding/drainage/body substance
- contact with large volume bleeding/drainage/body substance that is likely to soak through the contact area
- respiratory droplet pathogens
- airborne pathogens.
Some barriers are used to protect the client, including:
- sterile barriers for invasive procedures
- masks for the prevention of droplet contamination
- changing (decontaminating) clothing soft furnishing frequently.
- wear gloves with fit and durability appropriate to the task, such as disposable examination gloves
- for client care and disposable or reusable gloves for cleaning
- remove gloves in a manner than minimises risk of hand contamination
- do not wear the same pair of gloves for the care of more than one client
- do not wash disposable gloves
- change gloves during the care of one client if moving from a contaminated body site to a cleaner one (CDC 2007).
Barriers such as gloves should be worn when contact with blood or body fluids, mucous membranes, non-intact skin, potentially contaminated skin, or contaminated client care equipment is anticipated.
Gloves are the first line of personal protective clothing and equipment, and can prevent heavy contamination of hands during client care and transmission of pathogens. Wearing gloves does not provide complete protection against acquiring viral infections, particularly hepatitis B and herpes simplex viruses. Gloves should be changed any time the healthcare worker switches from contaminated to clean tasks, even with the same client.
Gowns protect skin and prevent soiling of clothing during procedures and client-care activities that are likely to involve contact with or generate splashes or sprays of blood or body fluids. When Contact Precautions are in use, both gown and gloves should be worn on entry into the room to reduce unintentional contact with contaminated surfaces. Do not reuse gowns, even for repeated contacts with the same client. (CDC, 2007).
Be aware that each worksite will have their own policy and work instruction so always consult your supervisor.
