HSPA provides education , certification and advocacy to the Sterile Processing community , along with the unsurpassed support that only a full-service membership organization can bring .
Visit myhspa . org for more information . the home unless mouth and nose are covered with a mask or cloth . Have others prepare your food and try to eat in your room .
Social Coping and Connecting : For ways to feel socially connected consider interacting and communicating through video chat options on phone or computer video . Consider virtual games . If you share a room with someone , you should use the bedroom as the isolated space in the home . Try to avoid contact with items in the room so that you will not have to go inside of the closed in space . Not having the capability to not share space may mean wearing masks at least for the ill person to help with source control . No visitors unless they are essential to getting better , however people at risk of dying from respiratory viruses such as people older than 65 years old , with chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes should stay away .
Shared Items : Avoid sharing personal items and spaces as much as possible . Do not share dishes , cups / glasses , silverware , towels , bedding , or electronics ( like a cell phone ) with the person who is sick . Be sure to wash down contaminated items immediately . If the ill loved one cannot walk , cover eyes , mouth and nose when delivering and removing meals ( wash hands before and after ).
Multi-user Bathrooms / Shared Surfaces : Try to use a separate bathroom . If this is not possible , be sure to clean the sinks , doorknobs tables , hard-backed chairs , light switches , remote controls , handles on cabinets and refrigerators , desks , toilets , sinks , computer keyboards and mice , tablets , and more commonly touch areas daily before and after the use of you the sick person and others . If you cannot do it , advise family members to do so . Be sure to wash and or disinfect surfaces daily and allow it to dry . Pay attention to the contact time on the surface cleaners . Some must sit before you wipe them up in order for them to work effectively . This is found on the back of the product . Fresh Air : Get fresh air into the home as much as possible by opening windows for good airflow . Viral droplets can stay suspended in the air ; outside air helps reduce the number of droplets concentrated in the air in closed spaces . Use air exhaust systems , open windows to minimize potential virus droplets in the air especially since bathrooms are smaller areas . If you have a yard , garden , patio , balcony , or porch , spend time there to get outdoors , but stay 6 feet away from anyone who doesn ’ t live with you .
Trash : Dedicate a lined trash can for the person who is sick . Use gloves when possible . Immediately discard trash with contaminated items such as dirty tissues . Be sure to clean your hands after handling removed items from the person and placing outside the home .
Laundry : There is no need to launder clothing separately ; however , to careful not to fluff clothing into the air . Consider wearing eye , nose and mouth coverings for safety . Be sure to wash your hands before and after handling the clothing items . Try to gather items in bulk so that you are not washing items daily . This helps minimize contact with the sick person and their items . Be sure not to touch your face when handling items .
Shanina Knighton , PhD , RN , CIC , is an associate professor at Case Western Reserve University .
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