Guidelines for protecting Health Care Workers against Cholera
prepared by the Occupational Health and
Safety Unit, KZN Department of Health
The Do's
- Treat all patients with diarrhoeal problems as if they are cholera infected.
- Wear a gown while attending to the patient if soiling is likely.
- Wear gloves before touching all excreta and body fluids.
- Wash your hands before attending to the patient.
- Wash your hands after attending to the patient.
- Wash your hands before eating.
- Wash your hands before leaving your area of work.
- Isolate the patient if so indicated. Mark the ward “Isolation”
- Exercise precautions when handling bedpans for excreta.
- Place all instruments in plastic bags. Seal and return to CSSD.
- If possible use disposable crockery and cutlery.
- Discard disposable crockery and cutlery after use.If using normal crockery and cutlery, wash with hot water and soap after use.
- Dispose waste food for incineration.
- Wear aprons when in direct contact with the patient.
- Leave the apron at patient’s side.
- Discard urine and faeces down the sluice immediately.
- Use bedpan disinfector. Dry with paper towel. Store separately.
- Use gloves when handling soiled linen.
- Place soiled linen in a yellow bag, seal securely and mark it “infectious” and send to laundry.
- Handle specimens carefully; use disposable screw top containers. Secure well. All specimens to be placed in double plastic bag and sealed.
- All disposable articles must be kept in a red bag. Seal in patient area till it goes for incineration.
DO Not
- Eat at the patient’s side.
- Leave your working area with the apron used at the patient’s side.
- Leave your working area with soiled or infected clothing
- Leave patient’s side without washing your hands
Take care not to harm your health while caring for others.
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Copyright © KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health, 2001
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