From the Guidelines
Medical consumables that should be used to minimize infection risk and ensure patient safety include sterile gloves, disposable masks, sterile drapes, single-use syringes and needles, alcohol-based hand sanitizers, antiseptic solutions like chlorhexidine or povidone-iodine, sterile dressings, and disposable personal protective equipment (PPE). These items should be used according to established protocols, with proper hand hygiene being performed before and after patient contact using an alcohol-based sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol) or soap and water for 20 seconds 1. When performing invasive procedures, sterile technique must be maintained throughout, using appropriate barriers and antiseptic skin preparation. Antiseptic solutions should be allowed to dry completely before proceeding with procedures to maximize their antimicrobial effect. Single-use items should never be reused, even if they appear clean, as this practice significantly increases infection risk.
Key Considerations
- Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) forms only one part of a system to prevent contamination and infection of healthcare workers during patient care 1.
- Gloves must be worn as single-use items and should be put on immediately before an episode of patient contact and removed as soon as the activity is completed, and before contact with fomites 1.
- Hand hygiene is the single most important method of preventing transmission of infectious agents, and should be performed before and after every patient contact 1.
- Sterile gloves must be worn for invasive procedures and contact with sterile sites, and non-sterile examination gloves must be worn for contact with mucous membranes, non-intact skin and all activities that carry a risk of exposure to blood, body fluids, secretions and excretions 1.
- Surgical hand antisepsis should be performed by using an antimicrobial product before donning sterile surgeon's gloves 1.
Recommendations
- Use sterile gloves, disposable masks, sterile drapes, single-use syringes and needles, alcohol-based hand sanitizers, antiseptic solutions, sterile dressings, and disposable PPE to minimize infection risk and ensure patient safety.
- Perform hand hygiene before and after every patient contact, using an alcohol-based sanitizer or soap and water for 20 seconds.
- Maintain sterile technique during invasive procedures, using appropriate barriers and antiseptic skin preparation.
- Allow antiseptic solutions to dry completely before proceeding with procedures.
- Never reuse single-use items, even if they appear clean.
From the Research
Medical Consumables for Infection Risk Minimization
To minimize infection risk and ensure patient safety, the following medical consumables can be used:
- Latex-free gloves, as natural rubber latex (NRL) has been identified as a major cause of occupational allergy and asthma, especially in healthcare workers 2
- Superabsorbent curdlan-based foam dressings, which have been shown to have highly porous structures, superabsorbent abilities, and non-toxic properties, making them suitable for highly exuding wound management 3
- Evidence-based practice (EBP) guidelines, which have been linked to improved quality of care, patient safety, and positive clinical outcomes, including infection prevention 4
Hand Hygiene and Aseptic Technique
Effective hand hygiene practice is crucial in preventing and controlling infection:
- Hand decontamination using alcohol-based hand gels or soap and water is essential 5
- Aseptic technique performance is critical in preventing hospital infection rates, and evidence-based approaches should be adopted to improve patient safety 6
- Alternative techniques, such as "clean technique," should be used with caution to avoid confusing the aseptic theory-practice gap 6
Key Considerations
When selecting medical consumables, consider the following: