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| | 3. Infection control measures |
| | F. Update on new measures (15.5.03) |
- Dissemination of information. Ensure there is a cascade system for dissemination of information that reaches all levels of staff so that they can be regularly updated (designated notice boards with daily updates and e-mails) and ensure there is a designated person on-call to give infection control advice.
- Cleaning. Identify the highest risk areas in the Radiology Department to enable planning for extra cleaning measures including manpower implications.
- Decontamination. Provide emergency showering service and cleaning kits (including clean clothes and towels) for high dose contamination (i.e. contamination with patients' fluids).
- Resuscitation. Set up guidelines on cardiopulmonary resuscitation for suspected and confirmed SARS patients and set up drills for practice.
- Changing areas. Ensure storage of personal protective apparel inside clean areas and make sure clean items are not contaminated during storage, standardize the layout of rooms for changing into personal protective equipment. Ensure correct procedure for waste disposal and make sure that all disposal bins have lids and are emptied frequently before they become full. Ensure that only one or two staff change at any one time to prevent overcrowding.
- Personal items. Ensure staff do not bring unnecessary items such as jewelry to work.
- Designated zones. Ensure different areas of the department are clearly designated as "clean zones" i.e. offices or "dirty zones" i.e. scanning rooms and ensure contaminated apparel is removed before entering clean zones.
- Staff infection guidelines. Ensure that front line staff who have contact with patients with SARS have guidelines on protective measures they should take at home to protect their families. Staff who develop a febrile illness must take immediate sick leave and there must be a procedure for medical consultation.
- Rooms. Ensure all rooms are tidy and free of unnecessary clutter.
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