ICS Ltd. Paediatric Units

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2007 Infection Control in Paediatric Units Policy (52 kB)

Paediatric Units

Page updated 30 April 2007

Paediatric Units

Diarrhoea

Respiratory Viruses

Known cases of the same virus, eg RSV, influenza, adenovirus, etc may share a room if the diagnosis is clear
Telephone the Virology Department or your local laboratory so that specimens can be processed speedily
Clinically diagnosed bronchiolitis cases may share a room only at the discretion of Consultant Paediatrician
Introduce use of Alcoholic-chlorhexidine hand rub in a cubicle when two babies are being source isolated in cots
Instruct nursing, medical staff and parents regarding the appropriate use of the product

Rashes

Contact the Infection Control Team when a patient with rash, whether diagnosed or not, is admitted in case they represent community acquired infectious exanthema
Until diagnosed, two patients with rashes must not be nursed in the same cubicle

General Notes

Decontaminate cubicles/room properly after infectious children are discharged
Educate parents to wash hands appropriately, not to eat food in the cubicle and not to assist with any other children without taking proper infection control precautions
Strict hand washing practices are to be observed by all medical and nursing staff when caring for patients in main ward or source isolated in cubicles
Wrist watches must not be worn and the uniform/non-uniform policy adhered to (See Guidance on Uniforms)
It is imperative that nursing and medical staff do not drink tea or coffee or eat chocolates at the nurses station (this is unprofessional and dangerous)
Do not use communal hand cream (multi-dose pots of cream may become contaminated)
Each member of staff should carry a tube of cream in pocket of uniform if required