INFECTION CONTROL NEWSLETTER
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January 1999
written by and for Long Term Care Infection Control Nurses

Broad Street Solutions
James Marx, RN, MS, CIC Editor
P.O. Box 16557
San Diego, CA 92176
(619) 656-7887 Voice/FAX New number
jmarx@concentric.net 

Infection Control in Therapies:
Physical, Occupational, Speech

Rehabilitation services are a integral part of the facility's plan of resident care. Infection risks to both the resident and the staff are present. For all disciplines basic education about infection control is important. If your facility contracts these services, the facility is responsible for the contracted staff's safety. Therefore, it is vital that contracted staff be screened for communicable diseases, offered hepatitis B vaccine if they have potential contact with body fluids and given the required training of any regular staff member. Compliance with handwashing standards, appropriate use of personal protective equipment and disinfection of equipment are important.

Physical Therapy

 Because water is used in may therapies and can be a source of microorganisms, any equipment using water should be cleaned and disinfected regularly. On specialty equipment, use the manufacturer's recommendations for cleaning. Do not perform routine or period cultures on any equipment. Routine environmental cultures are not required by any accrediting body. If the department does debridement or hydrotherapy, the equipment must be disinfected between uses. Hydrocollator tanks should be drained and cleaned on a regular schedule.

Occupational and Speech Therapy

 Equipment that is use to restore function then used on another resident should be properly cleaned and disinfected. In many cases, soap and water or a dishwasher will adequate clean reusable equipment, such as laryngeal mirrors, special spoons and fork, or plate guards.

Recreational Therapy

 Food preparation and storage are important. Rinsing off fruits and vegetables, storing food at a temperature < 40 degrees F, and proper cooking temperatures for meats and other potential hazardous foods are as important in the facility's kitchen as it is in the therapy department. When planning an outing, insure that food is stored safety. Be aware of food and water sources during outings. Ticks can also be a problem during outings to heavy overgrown areas. All residents should be current with their tetanus immunization. 

Infection Control Under PPS
Consolidated billing based on MDS information and RUGS