The Royal Marsden Hospital Manual of Clinical Nursing Procedures - Lisa Dougherty [98]
9 Dispose of used disposable items as ‘hazardous infectious waste’, that is, into an orange waste bag, unless instructed otherwise by the infection prevention and control team. All waste contaminated with blood, body fluids, excretions, secretions and infectious agents thought to pose a particular risk should be disposed of as hazardous infectious waste. Orange is the recognized colour for hazardous infectious waste that does not require incineration and may be made safe by alternative treatment (DH 2006a, C).
Postprocedure
10 Clean reusable items according to the manufacturer’s instructions, usually with detergent and water or a detergent wipe. To avoid cross-contamination and ensure the item is suitable for further use (DH 2010b, C, E).
Action Figure 3 Place the mask over your nose, mouth and chin.
Action Figure 5 Secure the mask at the back of the head with ties.
Action Figure 8a After use, remove the mask by untying or breaking the ties and pulling them forward.
Action Figure 8b Do not touch the front of the mask.
Procedure guideline 3.6 Putting on or removing goggles or a face shield
Purpose: To protect the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and mouth from body fluid droplets generated during aerosol-generating procedures or surgery with power tools.
Essential equipment
Reusable or disposable goggles or face shield
Preprocedure
Action Rationale
1 Remove eye protection from any packaging with clean hands. To prevent cross-contamination. E
Procedure
2 Apply demister solution according to manufacturer’s instructions, if required. To ensure good visibility throughout the procedure. E
3 Position item over eyes/face and secure using ear pieces or headband; adjust to fit. To ensure the item is comfortable to wear and remains in the correct position throughout the procedure. E
4 At the end of the procedure, remove by grasping the ear pieces or headband at the back or side of the head and lifting forward, away from the face. Do not touch the front of the goggles or face shield (see Action Figure 4). To avoid contaminating the hands with material from the outside of the eye protection (DH 2010b, C, E).
Postprocedure
5 Dispose of used disposable items as ‘hazardous infectious waste’, that is, into an orange waste bag, unless instructed otherwise by the infection prevention and control team. All waste contaminated with blood, body fluids, excretions, secretions and infectious agents thought to pose a particular risk should be disposed of as hazardous infectious waste. Orange is the recognized colour for hazardous infectious waste that does not require incineration and may be made safe by alternative treatment (DH 2006a, C).
6 Clean reusable items according to the manufacturer’s instructions, usually with detergent and water or a detergent wipe. To avoid cross-contamination and ensure the item is suitable for further use. E
Action Figure 4 Don and remove eye protection by grasping the earpieces; do not touch the front.
Procedure guideline 3.7 Donning sterile gloves: open technique
Purpose: To have a barrier between the nurse’s hands and the patient to prevent the transmission of infectious agents in either direction, and to prevent contamination of a vulnerable area or invasive device through contact with non-sterile gloves.
Note that in steps 4 and 5, below, either glove can be put on first. Simply exchange ‘left’ and ‘right’ in the description if you wish to put on the right-hand glove first.
Essential equipment
Sterile disposable gloves
All other equipment required for the procedure for which the gloves are required
Preprocedure
Action Rationale
1 Clean hands using soap and water or alcohol-based handrub. Hands must be cleansed before and after every patient contact or contact with patient’s equipment