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| Procedures | |
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Introduction The Hospital Epidemiology & Infection Control (HEIC) policy “Infection Control Guidelines for Cystic Fibrosis Patients” is based upon the results of the Consensus Conference of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation from May 30-31, 2001 entitled “Infection Control Recommendations for Patients with Cystic Fibrosis: Microbiology, Important Pathogens and Infection Control Practice to Prevent Patient-to-Patient Transmission”. The purpose of this document is to provide a summary of the relevant data and evidence-based recommendations for infection control practices for cystic fibrosis (CF) patients in order to standardize care across the CF centers. This consensus document presents background data and evidence based recommendations for practices that are intended to decrease the risk of transmission of respiratory pathogens among cystic fibrosis patients from contaminated respiratory therapy equipment or the contaminated environment and thereby reduce the burden of respiratory illness. Further, the consensus document integrates knowledge of microbiology laboratory methods, infection control principles and epidemiology of respiratory pathogens in CF patients. Standardization of infection control practices will provide a safer environment for patients by reducing the risk of transmission of CF pathogens. In addition to infection control practices that are applicable to all CF patients at all times, the “Infection Control Guidelines for CF Patients” provides information about specific infection control practices that are recommended for inpatient, ambulatory, and non-healthcare settings, based on the types of activities and risks associated with the various settings. CF care teams as well as patients and their families must be well educated concerning the known risks and the effective preventive measures to ensure adherence to the evidence-based recommendations in this document. • Top of Page Procedures Infection Control Principles:
The droplet and contact routes transmit CF pathogens. Therefore, practices
that contain respiratory secretions and prevent transmission of respiratory
tract pathogens must be taught to patients and their families as well
as to healthcare workers. These practices must be followed with all CF
patients and cannot be implemented according to the specific microbiology
results of individual CF patients because microbiology methods are
not 100% sensitive for the detection of CF pathogens. Hand Hygiene:
In addition to washing hands with soap and water, alcohol based antiseptic
hand rubs are now recommended when hands are not visibly soiled with
blood or body fluids because of the improved efficacy of these products
in removing microorganisms from the hands. Epidemiology of Pathogens in CF Patients:
During the past two decades, patient-to-patient transmission of pathogens
among CF patients has been documented with increasing frequency. Studies
of the epidemiology of B. cepacia complex provide a model for evaluating
other pathogens. Patient-to-patient transmission has been demonstrated
in the USA, Canada and Europe in both healthcare and non-healthcare
settings via droplet and contact routes. Transmission has been interrupted
successfully by implementing a variety of infection control practices that
are based on the principle of containment of respiratory secretions
and practicing hand hygiene. Patient-to-patient transmission of
P. aeruginosa has been demonstrated in several different
ambulatory settings but not as consistently as has been observed for
B. cepacia complex. Close contact and failure to observe
consistent hand hygiene are associated with transmission. Preventing Transmission of Infection:
Implementation of infection control measures including hand hygiene
can prevent transmission of P. aeruginosa to patients with CF. |
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