Treating a patient with C-Diff

Treating a patient with C-Diff

Paul Prusakowski

1/10/2011

(Thanks John for submitting this) -Paul

 

Hi Paul, I received this question from a CPO with a question on treating a
patient with the highly Communicable Disease C-Diff. I am sure that this is
not an isolated incident within our field..We are seeing a high number of
patients both in the Hospital and in our offices. These types of patients
pose new questions for us to protect ourselves, other patients , co-workers
and Our Families from BloodBorne Pathogens..

John

 

 

 

Hi John,

We have a patient in the hospital w/ c diff. The MD wants a rigid dressing
on them. Can a cast saw be chemically sterilized and will that sterilize c
diff?

Thanks

 

Thanks for your question. First thing that I would do is to cut a small hole
in the corner of a 1 gallon Zip lock Bag (big enough to slip the plug thru
but no larger). Then tape the bag closed at the hole with a Non-Porous tape
(Prosthetic stretch or electrical tape).Use the same tape and tape over the
vent holes at the rear of the saw (to seal it as much as possible from air
and contaminated dust. At the Zip lock end, close the bag around the shank
behind the blade and also seal with tape exposing the blade for use. Protect
yourself with Hospital Scrubs (if possible), Eye, hair, Respiratory
protection and NITRILE GLOVES, Shoe Covers with elastic tops and Disposable
gown. Enter the room.. Remember that plaster (or Fiberglass/) dust becomes
airborne during the removal procedure. Coat the entire exterior of the
dressing with a light coating of Petroleum Jelly to control cutting dust
during and after the procedure.

 

AFTER THE SAW IS USED remove the blade and discard in the room. Take the saw
and remove the zip lock bag inside a RED plastic bag and discard the zip
lock bag INSIDE the RED bag while removing the saw. Place the saw in another
RED bag, seal and bring to a clean area. While wearing NITRILE GLOVES, wash
the outside of the saw and cord thoroughly with the bleach solution and then
scrub the outside of the saw with hot soapy water with a stiff brush keeping
overspray to a minimum (preferably in a slop sink or laundry tub). Remove
the tape from the rear of the saw and wipe the entire housing again with a
disposable towel and the bleach solution. Install a new blade and the saw is
should be ready for use clean ALL TOOLS used in the procedure with Bleach
solution and scrub with Hot Soapy water. remove and discard your gloves wash
your hands thoroughly with Hot Soapy water as below..

 

C. Diff is a potentially serious intestinal infection that is known in the
medical community as Clostridium difficile. These bacteria produce spores
that can live on surfaces outside of the body for several days and are thus
very contagious.

Hand-Washing

Hand-washing is the No. 1 preventative measure in stopping the spread and
infection of C. Diff. It is important to wash hands with warm water and
anti-bacterial soap for at least 30 seconds. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers
are Not effective against C. Diff and will not kill spores that may be on
the hands.

 

Cleaning of Equipment: It is important to clean any areas that the infected
person comes into contact with daily. Mix 1 part of bleach with 10 parts of
water as a cleaner and use on O&P Tools, Scissors, sinks, sink and toilet
handles and doorknobs to kill spores that are in the environment.

 

<URL Redacted> for more
information about C-dif

 

<URL Redacted> < <URL Redacted>> Guide.com for BloodBorne
Pathogens Training related to O&P

 

John F. Schulte CPO FAAOP

Clinical Educator

The Fillauer Companies Inc.

www.Fillauer.com

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