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Health Advisory: Pertussis increase in Washington
Advisory or Update, Communicable Disease and Immunization Update, Health Advisory, Health Alert, Immunization, Immunizations, Infection Control, News and Alerts, News and Update, Pertussis, Provider ResourcesACTIONS REQUESTED BE AWARE of an increase in pertussis has been reported in some areas of Washington state and that patients with a history of receiving pertussis vaccine can still get pertussis. Persons at high risk for pertussis: CONSIDER pertussis infection in the following situations: IF YOU SUSPECT PERTUSSIS IN A PATIENT: Diagnosing pertussis can be difficult, particularly during the early…
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Chlamydia Diagnosis Follow-up
Provider Checklist Patient treatment for chlamydia is not complete without partner treatment. After receiving a positive chlamydia result, check the following steps to help stop the spread of chlamydia and to protect your patient from reinfection: Provide patient education on essential points: Take medications as prescribed. Do not have sex for seven days after treatment,…
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Hand Hygiene In Healthcare Settings
What is hand hygiene? Hand hygiene refers to the use of hand washing with soap and water or alcohol hand sanitizer (60% alcohol or greater) in order to reduce infection rates, reduce transmission of antimicrobial resistant organisms and stop outbreaks of communicable disease. Why is hand hygiene important? When should I use hand hygiene? How…
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Environmental Cleaning
Quick Reference: Environmental Cleaning How to clean equipment and surfaces, when to clean, what to use Visibly Soiled surfaces: Scrub the surface with a cleaner/detergent or a disinfectant that contains a cleaner/detergent. Wear gloves! May need to rinse (check label). Will NOT need to rinse if using a wipe that contains both a detergent and…
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Bloodborne Pathogens
Post Exposure Prophylaxis and Training Resources National Clinicians’ Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEPline) Hotline (888) HIV-4911 Exposure to bloodborne pathogens can present serious risks to healthcare providers. Prompt post-exposure treatment for HIV and hepatitis B virus can be effective, but because each exposure case is unique, determining who should receive prophylaxis and which drugs are most appropriate…
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Tuberculosis FAQ
Tuberculosis Screening Tests Tuberculosis skin test (TST) (formerly known as PPD) Tubersol or Aplisol can be purchased through your medical supply chain. Ten or 50 dose vials, once opened must be used within 28 days. Requires skill to apply intradermally and read results properly. Patient must have two office visits. Sensitive test and inexpensive. See…
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Tuberculosis Sputum Specimens
Suspicion of Active Tuberculosis Notify the Health Department of suspected active tuberculosis or positive AFB (acid-fast bacilli) smears or cultures. Patients Without Insurance Contact the Health Department. They may contact the patient and arrange to drop off and pick up sputum collection cups. Testing will be done at the Washington State Public Health Lab (PHL)…