Infection Control Guidelines - HCCIntelligence™ Premier Resource 2024-Resource: Infection Control Guidelines

Resource: Infection Control Guidelines - 2024

Pdf Summary

This document provides an overview of infection control for home-based primary care providers and staff. It includes recommendations for preparing for home visits, organizing medical supplies, and implementing infection control measures during and after visits.<br /><br />To prepare for a home visit, providers should gather information in advance, such as identifying potential risks and flagging patients who require personal protective equipment (PPE) precautions. Front office staff should be aware of infection control policies and the electronic medical record should be reviewed ahead of the visit. If a provider is ill, visits should be rescheduled.<br /><br />In terms of organizing the medical bag and supplies, providers should disinfect supplies before and after visits and store them separately in a clean container or on a clean surface within the vehicle. The bag should be kept locked and out of sight during travel and brought back to the office at the end of the day for cleaning.<br /><br />During the home visit, providers should ask if shoe covers are desired and place the medical bag on a clean, dry area. Hand hygiene should be practiced before and after the examination, and providers may choose to sit near the patient on a clean surface or stand to avoid contaminating their clothing. Single-use items should be disposed of properly, while reusable items should be disinfected before returning them to the medical bag.<br /><br />After the home visit, if there is suspicion of bed bug contamination, outer clothing should be changed and washed in hot water. The outside of the medical bag should be cleaned with disinfecting wipes, and biohazard containers should be emptied at the office when two-thirds full.<br /><br />The document also provides information on accessing additional resources through the Home Centered Care Institute, such as webinars, tools, and tip sheets related to home-based primary care.<br /><br />Overall, the document emphasizes the importance of following infection control protocols to ensure the safety of both providers and patients during home visits.

Keywords

infection control

home-based primary care

providers

staff

home visits

medical supplies

personal protective equipment

PPE precautions

disinfection

hand hygiene