Sterile Procedures
LESSON 5: Isolation
5-7
5-7. SUPPLIES AND OTHER ITEMS
a. Dressings and Tissues. All dressings, paper tissues, and other disposable items soiled by respiratory, oral, or wound secretions must be considered potentially infective and disposed of accordingly even if the patient is not isolated. Disposal may call for single or double disposable bag techniques. Bags should be impervious. When removed from patient areas, the bags should be closed, sealed, and placed in a larger disposable bag or container. Ultimate disposal is by incineration or placement in a properly supervised and maintained sanitary landfill. Appropriate disposable bags must always be available at the patient's bedside.
b. Linen. All mattresses and pillows for patients in isolation should be covered with impervious plastic. The double-bag technique discussed below should be used when removing linen and other contaminated articles from rooms of patients in isolation.
NOTE: If the inner bag is made of plastic that is hot water soluble, handling of these potentially contaminated linens is reduced. Disposable linens can be used for patients in isolation.
(1) The articles are placed in a clean bag in the contaminated area and closed tight.
(2) The bag is then placed in a second bag, preferably of a different color, which is held by a person or supported by a hamper outside the patient's room.
(3) This second bag is closed or stapled tight and labeled "CONTAMINATED" or "ISOLATION" so that whoever receives this material can take the necessary precautions to protect himself.
c. Dishes. Disposable dishes and utensils are available and can be used for patients in isolation.
d. Drinking Water. No special precautions are necessary.
e. Clothing and Personal Effects. Follow established special precautions in strict isolation, enteric precautions, and wound and skin precautions.
f. Laboratory Specimens. When double-bag technique is necessary for transporting specimens, use transparent bags so contents can be seen and handled appropriately.
g. Books, Magazines, Money, Letters, and Toys. In general, any of these articles visibly soiled with potentially infective excretions or secretions should be disinfected or destroyed.
h. Patient's Chart. The patient's chart should not be taken into the isolation room if the patient is under strict isolation.
