Tracking the next pandemic: Avian Flu Talk |
Preventing Cross-Contamination |
Post Reply |
Author | |
TERMS 1
Adviser Group Joined: March 13 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 172 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Posted: April 02 2006 at 6:22am |
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ppe.html# There has been considerable discussion on the member's behalf regarding the use of gowns, gloves, masks and eye protection. It will only be beneficial if you don't end up cross-contaminating yourselves. I hope that this information will be helpful to you, (if not blame therese she made me do this).
The above link will take you to the CDC web site regarding PPE. It has links to MS Power Point and Adobe PDF on how to select and use Personal Protective Equipment to protect yourself "in the healthcare setting." There is also a poster available (you may have to adjust the size to print it) that can be downloaded so that you have a hard copy for reference.
|
|
Credibility is like virginity, once it is gone- it is gone forever.
|
|
TERMS 1
Adviser Group Joined: March 13 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 172 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/CIS_WSH_part554_35632_7.pdf
Under part 554 of the Michigan Bloodborne and Infectious Disease Standard (link provided above) take a look at page 11, column 2, paragraph 2 under the heading of Disinfectants, (and this is my interpretation only on this), that it appears that if an alcohol based sanitizer is utilized than it needs to be 70-90% alcohol. I translate this to mean if alcohol is the main ingredient then 70% is the minimum for disinfecting capabilities. If you are purchasing your hand sanitizers "on the cheap", you may be a wee-bit disappointed when then don't work. FYI
|
|
Credibility is like virginity, once it is gone- it is gone forever.
|
|
TERMS 1
Adviser Group Joined: March 13 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 172 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/bp_laundry.html
And finally, another issue is going to be laundry. The above link takes you to the CDC web site regarding laundry, and how to decontaminate and protect yourself while doing it. Pay particular attention to paragraphs 2 & 3.
|
|
Credibility is like virginity, once it is gone- it is gone forever.
|
|
Rocky
V.I.P. Member Joined: January 07 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 219 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Thanks for the useful links.
Why can't we just add alcohol (it is inexpensive and I bet many of us have bottles of it as part of our prep) to our 62% alcohol bottles of hand gel. If this seems feasable, what would be an appropriate amount to goose the alcohold content of the hand washing gel from 62% to 70% +? Rocky
|
|
Rocky |
|
TERMS 1
Adviser Group Joined: March 13 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 172 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I read somewhere that 62 % ethyl alcohol was the equivalent to 70% isopropyl alcohol (3M's web site?). My main concern is that the hand sanitizers sold at "dollar-type-stores", is only 40% alcohol (main ingredient) and still it states that it kills 99.99% of germs. This appears to be one of those American things where "bigger is better."
|
|
Credibility is like virginity, once it is gone- it is gone forever.
|
|
Rocky
V.I.P. Member Joined: January 07 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 219 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I don't know about the ethyl alcohol vs isopropyl alcohol content difference. It would be helpful if someone could give us some definitive information regarding that.
However, question still stands. If you look at the content of the "less expensive" hand sanitizers, mine, at least, report 62% alcohol content. So how much alcohol (either type) would we have to add to each bottle to bring it up to the recommended approx 70% level? Thanks. Rocky
|
|
Rocky |
|
Guests
Guest Group |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Great educational link Terms 1! Everyone should read this because this virus will be airborne each time we remove gloves or gowns, or strip the sheets off beds. There is a right and wrong way to remove all of these to reduce exposure. Good info!
|
|
Rocky
V.I.P. Member Joined: January 07 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 219 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I looked at both links and couldn't find reference to stripping sheets. Sounds like info I would like and it sure makes sense. Did I miss something. Thanks. Rocky
|
|
Rocky |
|
Guests
Guest Group |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I am a nurse, and part of my training was about changing bed linens to reduce the spread of microbes. Basically you try to never come in contact with the linens. This means you approach the bed gingerly with latex gloves on. Fold the sheets slowly inward toward the middle of the bed and continue to fold all sides inward slowly to reduce the microbes from becoming airborn. Keep folding the linen in on itself until it is all folded into a small bundle. Then you hold it out away from your body and dispose of it in a separate linen bin with a lid. Do not ever push linens down, or reach into the soiled linen bin. Just gently drop the linen in and put the lid down. Remove your gloves again away from your body, being careful to fold them into themselves, and then wash your hands after the whole process. ( when you see people hurrying to change bed linens and they are pulling up corners of the linen and wisking it all up in the air, you can also picture the millions of germs that were in the linens and are now airborn!)
|
|
TERMS 1
Adviser Group Joined: March 13 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 172 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Rocky- I'm trying to find picture examples somewhere on-line of how linen is supposed to be changed with a person in the bed, and the steps involved. Regarding %'s I don't know if adding 70% alcohol to a 40% hand sanitizer gel will actually dilute it (or other active ingredients in it) or how much you would need use to get it up to an approved/accepted level, (at that point it becomes fractions) .
|
|
Credibility is like virginity, once it is gone- it is gone forever.
|
|
Post Reply | |
Tweet
|
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You can vote in polls in this forum |