Standard Precautions to Prevent the Spread of Infection For all FCP Caregivers

Download PDF: FCP Standard Precautions Policy

Purpose: Identify the expectations of FCP Live-In for Caregivers to reduce the spread of infection in the home environment by maintaining standard precautions when caring for all clients.

Scope: All FCP Live-In Caregivers and Field Supervisors that enter the Client’s home and provide services.

Definition: Standard Precautions are the minimum infection prevention practices that apply to all patient care, regardless of suspected or confirmed infection status of the patient, in any setting where healthcare is delivered. Examples of standard precautions include:

1. Hand hygiene
2. Use of personal protective equipment (e.g., gloves, masks, eyewear)
3. Respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette
4. Clean and disinfect environmental surfaces

Expectations:

WASH HANDS – Client and Caregiver
When visibly soiled; before and after eating; after using the bathroom; before and after providing hands-on care; before, during, and after meal preparation

Cover your cough and sneeze – Client and Caregiver

● Cough and sneeze into a tissue or into the elbow
● Educate the client and family members on how to cover their cough and sneeze

Report signs and symptoms of illness to FCP Live-In IMMEDIATELY- Client and Caregiver Signs and symptoms of illness that present in the Caregiver and/or Client will be reported to FCP Live-In staff to determine appropriate next steps to prevent the spread of the illness and treat the symptoms appropriately.

Signs and symptoms may include:

1. Elevated Temperature – 100.5 or higher
2. Cough
3. Shortness of breath
4. Congestion
5. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
6. Sore Throat

Disinfect and sanitize home environment – Wipe down hard surfaces with designated cleaning products daily and when visibly soiled. Hard surfaces include but are not limited to: tables, countertops, sinks, toilets, doorknobs, phones

For additional information go to the CDC website: www.cdc.gov

If you have any questions, call FCP Live-In at 877-887-2273 or email info@fcplivein.com.

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