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0 ft <br />SUSPECTED COMMUNICABLE INFECTION <br />POLICY <br />M <br />It is this facility's policy to isolate residents suspected of or <br />proven to have a communicable infection and those with a <br />physician's order for isolation. <br />OBJECTIVES: <br />1. Insure all residents and employees are protected. <br />2. Prevent transmission of direct and indirect infectious agents. <br />3. Separate the infected individual from others during the period <br />of communicability. <br />PROCEDURES <br />1. Notify the attending physician if any of the following <br />symptoms occur: <br />a. A respiratory problem such as a cough; purulent drainage; <br />expectoration; odorous breath; lung field rales; fever or <br />pain in the chest and throat. <br />b. A gastrointestinal problem such as nausea and vomiting; <br />diarrhea with purulence or malodor; fever or dehydration. <br />C. Drainage or secretions such as purulent drained from <br />wounds or surgical sites; malodorous drainage; redness and <br />warmth of tissue; fever; draining pustules or skin rashes. <br />d. Blood or body fluid suggestive of a form of hepatitis. <br />2. Request an order for a specimen culture and sensitivity. If <br />refused, refer to facility policy for obtaining cultures. A <br />report of the infection must be entered on the infection <br />control log. <br />3. Transfer the resident to a single -bed room if it is available <br />(a two -bed empty room is preferable if there is no single <br />room). Notify the family of the room change, the reason for <br />the change and report on the resident's condition. <br />4. Set up the room according to the type of isolation required. <br />This includes a plastic bag setup for linen and wastes and <br />other items which are necessary (for example, masks, gowns, <br />(continued) <br />