FAQ

There is no such thing as a silly question when it comes to Infection Control issues. A large majority of the time you will find that you are not the only one asking the same question. You may also find that you already know the answer. Browse through our Frequently Asked Questions below to see if you do. For questions not listed below, please contact CEIP at extension 66115.

1. Do I need a disposable tray for patients in isolation?
   A: No, disposable trays are not required for isolation patients unless you are notified otherwise by the Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Infection Prevention.
    

   Clean and used meal trays must not be mixed in the patient tray carts. Once used trays are placed in a cart with clean trays, all trays are to be considered "dirty."

   When taking "reusable" food trays and serviceware out of an isolation room take the tray directly to the tray cart and place the tray inside, then immediately wash your hands. Nutritional Services handling procedures and dishwashing equipment are effective in preventing the transmission of infectious disease.

2. What kind of waste needs to be disposed of in red bags?
   A: Any item so saturated with blood that, upon compacting/squeezing, would exude/drip blood in any form, or any container or equipment for disposal that contains liquid blood, needs to be placed in a labeled Red Biohazardous Waste bag.
3. Where can I get more isolation signs?
   A: If your unit supply has been depleted, additional signs can be obtained from Central Service.
4. Are supplies inside a patient room considered contaminated after an isolation patient is discharged?
   A: No. Storage areas within patient rooms are considered clean. Staff should only access these areas with clean hands. Therefore, these items would be considered "Non-contaminated," and useable. As with any item in any room, always check for item integrity before use.
5. Can a patient in transmission-based precautions put on a mask and gown and ambulate around the unit?
   A: No. Patients in transmission-based precautions are placed in designated rooms and are not allowed to walk freely around a unit or anywhere within the hospital. Isolation is required to decrease the risk of environmental contamination and possible spread of disease to other areas or patients.
6. Is a mask necessary to wear when I care for a patient with MRSA or VRE in their sputum?
   A: No. MRSA/VRE is passed from person to person by direct or indirect contact. These organisms are not airborne. However, standard precautions requires the use of a mask and eye protection or a face shield to protect mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and mouth during procedures and patient-care activities that are likely to generate splashes or sprays of blood, body fluids, secretions, and excretions.
7. If a patient is newly diagnosed to have MRSA/VRE, does their roommate need to be tested or isolated?
   A: No. Standard precautions, which includes hand washing, is used for all patients. This practice prevents transfer of microorganisms to other patients or environments. Therefore, testing and/or isolating roommates of the source patient is unnecessary.
8. How do I clear a patient from MRSA isolation?
   A: Patients may be cleared from MRSA isolation only by Clinical Epidemiology and Infection Prevention. Clinical Epidemiology and Infection Prevention routinely monitors all MRSA patients, and will determine when a patient is eligible to be cleared. At that time, Clinical Epidemiology and Infection Prevention will notify the patients physician with instructions to prepare for clearance.
9. How long should a patient with active chickenpox be isolated?
   A: Airborne Precautions should be maintained until all vesicles are crusted and no longer oozing. Susceptible patients who have been exposed to chickenpox should be placed in Airborne Precautions from days 8-21 after the initial exposure. If the exposed patient has received VZIG, isolate from days 8-28 after initial exposure.
10. Do I need to isolate a patient diagnosed with Meningitis?
    A: It is necessary to know if the diagnosis is "Viral/Aseptic," "Bacterial," or "Unknown" Meningitis.
    • Bacterial, and unknown types of meningitis, require Droplet Precautions for 24 hours after effective therapy has been administered.
    • Viral/Aseptic Meningitis does not need to be isolated. Standard Precautions are sufficient.
11. What is the difference between viral/aseptic and bacterial Meningitis?
    A: Most cases of aseptic meningitis are caused by a virus, especially viruses of the large group called "enteroviruses." There are many strains of enterovirus, including Coxsackie A virus, Coxsackie B virus, and ECHO. Less common causes of viral meningitis include mumps virus, Epstein-Barr virus (which causes infectious mononucleosis), and varicella (chickenpox) virus. Other infectious agents can cause aseptic meningitis including fungi and parasites. Uncommonly, reactions to medications can cause aseptic meningitis also.
     

    Most cases of bacterial meningitis are caused by meningococcus and pneumococcus bacteria. Meningococcal bacteria (Neisseria meningiditis) can cause bloodstream infections as well as meningitis. Pneumococcal bacteria (Streptococcus pneumoniae) usually cause respiratory infections such as otitis media (middle ear infection) or pneumonia. Until Hib vaccine was available, Hemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) was the most common cause of meningitis in infants.