Environment of Care
What is "Contact" or "Wet" time?
The amount of time a surface must remain wet with a disinfectant for the disinfectant to be effective
Patient's chart indicates "MRSA" in the infection field. What does this mean?
Patient either has an active infection/colonization or a history of MRSA
What puts BH patients at higher risk for nosocomial transmission of viral and bacterial pathogens?
BH patients are encouraged to be out of their rooms, eat in a communal area and interact with other patients and the staff.
A healthcare worker should always perform hand hygiene before and after donning this form of barrier protection for their hands. This item is never a substitute for hand hygiene.
What are gloves?
What is "Low-level" disinfection?
A process using chemical agents to destroy most vegetative bacteria, fungi and viruses on non-critical medical equipment and environmental surfaces.
This is the typical cleaning/disinfection we do on our work surfaces and equipment.
Patient develops rhinorhea and low grade fever. What happens next?
Isolate the patient in their room, notify the IM doctor on call.
What is the most effective way to prevent getting the flu?
After applying hand sanitizer, for hand hygiene to be effective, one should continue to rub hands together until this happens.
What is until their hands are dry?
What are the "high-risk" surfaces/fomites in Behavioral Health?
High touch areas in BH include the communal phones, tables and chairs, door handles, surfaces in the bathrooms
A patient has tested positive for flu. What are next steps?
Patient should be isolated in a single room on Droplet precautions. They cannot leave their room until they are cleared from isolation.
What are the 3 most effective tools/methods for ending a norovirus cluster?
1) Isolate symptomatic patients
2) Meticulous hand hygiene with soap and water
3) Cleaning the environment
Per the NYP fingernail policy, fingernail polish — including 'no‑chip/gel polish' — may be worn. However, nail polish is not permitted when it is in this condition.
What is chipped or peeling from the nail bed?
Why is dust abatement/control so important when a unit is undergoing renovations?
Effective barriers prevent the spread of dust-borne fungi (like Aspergillus) and bacteria to vulnerable patients and staff, which can cause severe illness or death. It protects patient and employee safety and reduces liability for healthcare facilities,
What is colonization vs infection?
Colonization is when someone has germs on or in their body but does not have symptoms of an infection. Colonized patients can still transmit the germs they carry
Name 3 hand hygiene opportunities in Behavioral Health
1) Before and after performing vital signs
2) Prior to passing out meds
3) Prior to a physical exam
Generally, handwashing and the use of hand sanitizer are both effective forms of hand hygiene. However, handwashing with soap and water must be performed instead of using hand sanitizer after caring for patients with these organisms (name 1 of the organisms).
What are C. diff, Norovirus, or Sapovirus?
What is one of the amenities offered to BH patients that can help with infection control?
Laundry!! Dirty clothes can harbor and spread bacteria like E coli, Salmonella and S aureus which can survive in fabrics for weeks
In addition to decreasing infection control risks, providing patients an opportunity to have clean clothing is crucial for boosting patient self-esteem, dignity and reducing anxiety
What is Candida Auris?
A fungal pathogen that is resistant to antifungal agents. It can be responsible for high mortality in patients who are infected and can cause significant outbreaks in healthcare facilities
What would you do if a patient requires Airborne isolation?
GSH does not have negative pressure rooms. If a patient needs Airborne isolation they should be isolated in a single room, wearing a mask (if tolerated) and transferred as soon as possible
Per NYP policy, when washing hands with soap and water, one should wet their hands thoroughly with water, apply soap to the palm of one hand, and then rub their hands together, creating friction for at least this many seconds, thoroughly covering all areas.
What is 15 seconds?