Skip to main content
  • 478 Accesses

Abstract

Infection control measures are developed for decreasing the risk of transmission of microorganims. These measures, such as handwashing and gloving, respiratory and eye protection, or patient placement make up the fundamentals of isolation precautions. Isolation precautions are based on epidemiological information on transmission of infection in hospitals. The importance of all body fluids, secretions and excretions in the transmission of nosocomial pathogens, and that infections can be transmitted by airborne, droplet and contact routes is well known. Isolation practices are designed to interrupt spread of infections by all routes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 299.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 379.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 379.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Olmsted R. Are isolation precautions necessary to prevent transmission of multidrug-resistant organisms? Infectious Disease News, 1998.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Schlaes DM, Gerding DN, John JF, Craig WA, Borstein DL, et al. Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America and Infectious Diseases Society of America Joint Commettee on the prevention of antimicrobial resistance: Guidelines for the prevention of antimocrobial resistance in hospitals. 25:584, 1997.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Goldmann DA, Weinstein RA, Wenzel RP, Tablan OC, Duma RJ, et al. Strategies to prevent and control the emergence and spread of antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms in hospitals. JAMA 275:234, 1996.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Garner JS, Simmons BS. Guideline for handwashing and hospital environmental control. Infect Control 7:231, 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Larson EL. A casual link between handwashing and risk infection? ICHE 9:28, 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Rotter ML. Hygienic hand disinfection. Infect Control 5:18, 1984.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Salzman TC, Clark JJ, Likemm L. Hand decontamination of personnel as a mechanism of cross-infection in nosocomial infections with antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiela-Aerobacter. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2:97, 1967.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Casewell M, Phillips I. Hands as a route of transmission of Klebsiella species. BMJ 11:1315, 1977.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Lowbury EJL, Lilly HA, Bull JP. Disinfection of hands, removal of transient organisms. Br Med J 2:230, 1964.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Sprunt K, Redman W, Leidy G. Antimicrobial effectiveness of routine handwashing. Pediatrics 52:264, 1973.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Ojajarvi J. The importance of soap selection. J Hyg 86:275, 1981.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Gardner JS and the Hospital Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee. Guidelines for isolation precautions in hospitals. ICHE 17:53, 1996.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Larson EL. APIC guideline for handwashing and hand antisepsis in health care settings. AJIC 23:251, 1995.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Pereira LJ, Lee GM, Wade KJ. The effect of surgical handwashing routines on the microbial counts of operating room nurses. Am J Infect Control 18:354, 1990.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Association of Operating Room Nurses. Recommended practices: surgical hand scrub. AORN J 52:830, 1990.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Ansari SA, Springthorpe VS, Sattar SA, Tostowarky W, Wells GA. Comparison of cloth, paper, and warm air drying in eliminating viruses and bacteria from washed hands. AJIC 19:243, 1991.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Marples RR, Towers A. A laboratory model for contact transfer of microorganisms. J Hyg 82:237, 1979.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Mackintosh C, Hoffman P. An extended model for transfer of microorganisms via hands: differences between organisms and the effect of alcohol disinfection. J Hyg 92:345, 1984.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Larson EL, Morton HE. Alcohols. In Block SS (ed). Disinfection, sterilization and preservation, 4th edn, Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger, 1991: 191.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Larson EL, Butz AM, Gullette DL, Laughon BA. Alcohol for surgical scrubbing? ICHE 11:139, 1990.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Ayliffe GAJ. Surgical scrub and skin disinfection. Infect Control 5:23, 1984.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Denton GW. Chlorhexidine. In Block SS (ed). Disinfection, sterilization and preservation. 4th edn, Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger, 1991:274.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Gottardi W. Iodine and iodine compounds. In Block SS (ed). Disinfection, sterilization and preservation. 4th edn, Philadelphia: Lea & febiger, 1991:152.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Zamora JL. Chemical and microbiologic characteristics and toxicity of povidone-iodine solutions. Am J Surg 151:400, 1986.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. O’Connor DO, Rubino JR. Phenolic compounds. In Block SS (ed). Disinfection, sterilization and preservation. 4th edn. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger, 1991:204.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Meers PD, Yeo GA. Shedding of bacteria and skin squames after handwashing. J Hyg 81:99, 1978.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Larson EL. Handwashing and skin. Physiologic and bactériologie aspects. Infect Control 6:14, 1985.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Ojajarvi J, Makela P, Rastasalo I. Failure of hand disinfection with frequent hand washing: a need for prolonged field studies. J Hyg 79:107, 1997.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Meengs MR, Giles BK, Chisholm CD, Cordell WH, Nelson DR. Hand washing frequency in an emergency department. Ann Emerg Med 23:1307, 1994.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Graham M. Frequency and duration of handwashing in an intensive care unit. AJIC 18:78, 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Donowitz LG. Handwashing technique in a pediatric intensive care unit. Am J Child Dis 141:683, 1987.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Albert RK, Condie F. Handwashing patterns in medical intensive care units. N Engl J Med 304:1464, 1981.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Widmer AF. Infection control and prevention strategies in the intensive care unit. Intensive Care Med 20 (suppl4):s7, 1994.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Pittet D, Mourouga P, Perneger TV. Compliance with handwashing in a teaching hospital. Ann Intern Med 130:126, 1999.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Voss A, Widmer AF. No time for handwashing? Handwashing versus alcoholic rub: can we afford 100% compliance? ICHE 18:205, 1997.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Pereira LJ, Leegm, Wade KJ. An evaluation of five protocols for surgical handwashing in relation to skin condition and microbial counts. J Hosp Infect 36:49, 1997.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Ulrich JA. Clinical study comparing Hibistat (0.5% Chlorhexidine gluconate in 70% isopropyl alcohol) and Betadine surgical scrub (7.5% povidone-iodine) for efficacy against experimental contamination of human skin. Curr Ther Res 31:27, 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Hobson DW, Woller W, Anderson L, Guthery E. Development and evaluation of a new alcohol-based surgical hand scrub formulation with persistent antimicrobial characteristics and brushless application. AJIC 26:507, 1998.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Beck WC. Alcohol foam has a place in the clinical arena. AORN J 50:157, 1989.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Goldmann DA. The role of barrier precautions in infection control. J Hosp Infect 18:515, 1991.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Doebbeling BN, Pfaller MA, Houston AK, Wenzel RP. Removal of nosocomial pathogens from the contaminated glove: implications for glove reuse and handwashing. Ann Intern Med 109:394, 1988.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Conly JM, Hill S, Ross J, Lertzman J, Louie TJ. Handwashing practices in an intensive care unit: the effects of an educational program and its relationship to infection rates. AJIC 17:330, 1989.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Klein BS, Perloff WH, Maki DG. Reduction of nosocomial infection during pediatric intensive care by protective isolation. N Engl J Med 320:1714, 1989.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Olson B, Weinstein RA, Nathan C, Chamberlin W, Kabis SA. Occult aminoglycoside resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Epidemiology and implications for therapy and control. J Infect Dis 152:769, 1985.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Lynch T. Communicable Disease Nursing. St. Louis, MO: Mosby, 1949.

    Google Scholar 

  46. Gage ND, London JF, Sider MT. Communicable Disease. Philadelphia, PA: FA Davis, 1959.

    Google Scholar 

  47. Palmer MB. Infection control. A Policy and Procedure Manual, 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  48. Centers for Disease Control. Isolation Techniques for use in hospitals. 2nd edn, Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office, 1975:80.

    Google Scholar 

  49. Schaffner W. Infection control: old myths and new realities. Infect Control 1:330, 1980.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Centers for Disease Control. Recommendations for preventing HIV transmission in health-care settings. MMWR 36(2S):1S, 1987.

    Google Scholar 

  51. Centers for Disease Control. Update: Universal precautions for prevention of transmission of HIV, HBV and other bloodborne pathogens in health-care settings. MMWR 37:377, 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  52. Centers for Disease Control. Draft guidelines for preventing the transmission of tuberculosis in health-care facilities. MMWR 43(RR-B):1, 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  53. Department of Health and Human Services. Department of Labor. Respiratory protective devices: final rules and notice. Federal Register 60(110):30336, 1995.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2001 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Lopez, R.M., Ricart, M. (2001). Isolation and Handwashing. In: Rello, J., Valles, J., Kollef, M.H. (eds) Critical Care Infectious Diseases Textbook. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-1679-8_18

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-1679-8_18

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-5674-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-1679-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics