Q: I am a new IP Nurse and trying hard to provide the best quality of care with my team during these stressful times. I hear there is a new precaution other than contact, and the few we are accustomed to using. Am I correct?
A: I believe you may be referring to “enhanced barrier precautions.” This new title became effective in late 2019 but was probably lost in the shuffle of all of the COVID-19 requirements.
The purpose of these precautions is to help stop the spread of multidrug resistant organisms, or MDROs. They pose a threat to post-acute residents because they colonize individuals for long periods, spread easily and cause high morbidity.
Enhanced barrier precautions fall between standard and contact precautions. PPE is used in certain conditions but doesn’t require the resident to be restricted to their room, providing a reduction of MDRO while maintaining the resident’s quality of life. The following require the use of gown and gloves: dressing, bathing, showering, transferring, providing hygiene, changing linens and/or briefs, assisting with toileting, device care (cath, trach, vent, suctioning) and wound care, for any skin care with an opening that requires a dressing.
Before implementing enhanced barrier precautions, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website to get signage, literature and tools needed to educate yourself and your staff. Adhering to enhanced barrier precautions also will require proper amounts of PPE, alcohol-based hand rub and trash receptacles.
One of the most important aspects of implementing a new policy is the monitoring, assessment and continued education of staff, residents, families and volunteers to be sure your program is in line with your goals and that the facility or corporate policies are being achieved.
Please send your resident care-related questions to Sherri Dornberger at ltcn[email protected].
From the November 2021 Issue of McKnight's Long-Term Care News
