Patient Placement
A private room is preferred for all patients with
conventional scabies. Patients with conventional scabies
may be roomed together if a private room is not available. Patients
with Norwegian scabies must be placed in a private room.
Precautions Sign and Tape
A Contact Precautions sign shall be placed on the patient’s
door. The Contact Precautions tape is placed on the front cover of the
patient’s chart. An isolation cart is required to be placed
outside the patient’s room.
Duration of Precautions
For patients with conventional scabies, the patient must be
treated with a scabicide once and the precautions may be discontinued
24 hours after the treatment is completed.
For patients with Norwegian scabies, the patient will require
2 treatments with a scabicide 1 week apart. The precautions
may be discontinued 24 hours after the second treatment is completed.
Attire
Gowns and gloves must be worn for physical contact with the
patient.
Hand Hyigene
Personnel must sanitize their hands with soap and
water or waterless alcohol based cleanser after removing gloves.
Linen
Place linen in a single, leak-resistant bag. After disposing
of the linen, wash hands. Linens and clothing should be washed
in the washing machine on the hot cycle.
Trash
All trash must be placed in a red plastic trash bag.
Patient Clothing
Infested clothing should be sealed in a plastic bag
for 48 hours. The mite will not survive off a human host for
more than 48 hours. Clothing/patient belongings should be sent
home with the patients family/caretaker. Linens and clothing
should be washed in the washing machine on the hot cycle.
Furniture
Patient furniture should be upholstered in a washable material,
i.e. vinyl. It is recommended that with Norwegian scabies, cloth
furniture be dry cleaned. The central housekeeping department
will facilitate the cleaning.
Patient Equipment /Specimens
Handle according to Standard Precautions.
Visitors
Visitors are expected to adhere to precautions.
Nutrition Services
Patients may receive a regular patient tray. Personnel serving the meal
trays must follow Contact Precautions.
Patient Transportation
Patients should be transported according to the guidelines for Contact Precautions.
Terminal Room Cleaning
When a patient is discharged, the Contact Precautions sign will
remain on the door until the room has been cleaned. The room
will be cleaned according to the established housekeeping standards.
Exposures
If prolonged skin-to-skin contract occurs with a scabies patient, prophylactic
treatment is required. Healthcare workers should contact HEIC if an exposure
is suspected.
Top
of Page
Back
to Prevention & Control
