Guidelines for the protecting Health Care Workers against Cholera
prepared by the Occupational Health and Safety Unit, KZN Department of Health

• 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.

• 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.