Nurse survey, knowledge gaps and the creation of an environmental hygiene protocol for patient transport and removing linen from patient rooms

Amie Patrick; Patrick Murphy; Rachel Pryor; Kaila Cooper; Emily Godbout; Michael P Stevens; Michelle Doll; Robin R Hemphill; Gonzalo Bearman

doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2019.12.012

Nurse survey, knowledge gaps and the creation of an environmental hygiene protocol for patient transport and removing linen from patient rooms

Am J Infect Control. 2020 Sep;48(9):1113-1115. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2019.12.012. Epub 2020 Jan 9.

Authors

Amie Patrick¹, Patrick Murphy², Rachel Pryor³, Kaila Cooper³, Emily Godbout³, Michael P Stevens³, Michelle Doll³, Robin R Hemphill³, Gonzalo Bearman³

Affiliations

¹ Virginia Commonwealth University Hospital, Richmond, VA. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA.
³ Virginia Commonwealth University Hospital, Richmond, VA.

PMID: 31926759
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2019.12.012

Abstract

General guidance for personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Previous research of PPE demonstrates the ability of gloves to harbor infectious pathogens. We surveyed health care workers to investigate current PPE practices during linen removal from patient rooms and during patient transport. The results suggest a possible risk for cross-contamination of the environment from overuse of gloves.

Keywords: Glove; Hand hygiene.

MeSH terms

Bedding and Linens
Gloves, Protective
Health Personnel*
Humans
Hygiene*
Patients' Rooms*
Personal Protective Equipment*
United States