Standard Precautions

Introduction
Transmission-Based Precautions
Hand Hygiene
Barrier Protection
Sharps Disposal
Patient Placement
Patient Transport
Food and Nutrition
Lab Specimens
Housekeeping
Medical Waste
Patient/Visitor Exposures
Linen/Laundry Services
Medical Emergencies


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Yale New Haven Hospital
QISS
GB 325
New Haven, CT
06504 USA

Dr. Jeff Topal
688-4634




Patient Transport
Patients on Standard Precautions may need to be transported to ancillary departments for diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. The preparation and transportation of all patients is a multi-disciplinary responsibility which requires collaboration.
  1. All patients in the hospital are automatically placed on Standard Precautions, and there is no need to notify the ancillary department. Designated transport personnel of each unit/department provide transportation assistance in moving patients to other hospital areas.

  2. Procedures for transporting the patient to an ancillary department:

    Personnel entering the patient's room should don any barrier protection attire that is necessary to move the patient from the bed to a stretcher or wheelchair in order to prevent contamination of skin and clothing while the patient is being moved.
    Place a clean sheet over the transportation vehicle (stretcher or wheelchair). If the transportation vehicle is likely to be contaminated with blood or body substances (i.e., if the patient is incontinent or produces large quantities of wound drainage that is difficult to properly contain), place a waterproof, disposable pad on the vehicle.
    Assist the patient to a stretcher or wheelchair, and cover him/her with a clean sheet.
    Personnel should remove their barrier apparel, including their gloves and wash their hands after moving the patient and prior to transport.
    Gloves should NOT be worn while transporting patients.
    If the patient has a productive cough or is sneezing, provide the patient with a box of tissues and a small plastic bag for tissue disposal.
    An extra gown, clean sheet, and waterproof, disposable pad(s) should be sent with the patient to be used if needed. If the patient is unlikely to contaminate the transportation vehicle or his/her gown with blood or body substance, no special precautions are needed other than handwashing.
    Transport the patient to the ancillary department.
    When the patient returns to the nursing unit, the transporter should inspect the transportation vehicle for evidence of contamination by blood or body substances. If any soiling is noted, the transporter should clean the vehicle with an EPA-approved disinfectant.

Last modified: September 30, 2002.



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