PERITONITIS PREVENTION Baxter

Germ Warfare!!! 1.2 Continuing Education Units

YOU are the first line of defense in preventing infections!!

What is a GERM? Germ, 1. any microorganism, especially one that causes disease. Excerpted from Mosby's Medical Encyclopedia (c) 1997 Mosby's Medical Encyclopedia (c) 1997

Ü The end of your transfer set Ü Around catheter exit site Ü The connection between the tubing and the bag of dialysate 3 Areas where germs are more likely to enter the peritoneum

What is Aseptic Technique? aseptic technique, 1. any health-care procedure in which added precautions are used to prevent contamination of a person, object, or area. Mosby's Medical Encyclopedia (c) 1997

What is Infection? infection, 1. the invasion of the body by germs that reproduce and multiply, causing disease by local cell injury, release of poisons, or germ-antibody reaction in the cells. 2. a disease caused by the invasion of the body by germs. Mosby's Medical Encyclopedia (c) 1997

Germs live on skin, especially between fingers and under nails

You won’t be able to see these germs

Good handwashing can prevent infections

The Problem with One Germ is that it becomes A LOT of germs!!

A single germ can turn into over a million in just 5 hours!! In 15 minutes 1 germ divides into 2 In 30 minutes 2 germs divide into 4 In 45 minutes 4 germs divide into 8 In 60 minutes 8 germs divide into 16 In 75 minutes 16 germs divide into 32 In 90 minutes 32 germs divide into 64 In 105 minutes 64 germs divide into 128 In 120 minutes 128 germs divide into 256 In 135 minutes 256 germs divide into 512 In 150 minutes 512 germs divide into 1024 In 165 minutes 1024 germs divide into 2048 In 180 minutes 2048 germs divide into 4096 In 195 minutes 4096 germs divide into 8192 In 210 minutes 8192 germs divide into In 225 minutes germs divide into In 240 minutes germs divide into In 255 minutes germs divide into In 270 minutes germs divide into In 285 minutes germs divide into In 300 minutes germs divide into !!

Wash your hands before every exchange and before touching your catheter or supplies

Good handwashing takes one to two minutes each time

Anti-microbial soap, water and a lot of friction Anti-microbial soap should be liquid in a pump dispenser

Dry hands completely with a paper towel after washing them

Do NOT touch anything after you wash and rinse your hands

Do NOT contaminate your dialysis equipment

Masks are a barrier between airborne germs and your connections

SO, WEAR MASKS!!

To prevent infection, it is important to: Ô Do your exchanges exactly as you’re taught every time. Be careful not to sneeze on sterile supplies or touch sterile parts. Ô Keep yourself clean Ô Do your exchanges in a clean and quiet area Ô Avoid constipation

Dentist visits or GI Procedures Notify your Nephrologist and PD Nurse if you are scheduled to see the Dentist, Dental Hygienist, or a Gastro-enterologist Keane p.567

Signs and Symptoms of Peritonitis Infection Ü Cloudy fluid Ü Fever Ü Abdominal pain Ü Fibrin

Signs and Symptoms of Catheter Infection * Fever * Redness or pain at exit site or along tunnel * Drainage of pus from around the catheter * Abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting * Extrusion of catheter cuff

Peritoneal Catheters are most commonly infected by  skin  hands  cough/sneeze

Keep your exit site clean and healthy

Catheters must be immobilized

ACTIVITIES HARMFUL TO THE EXIT SITE Tension & Tugging ScratchingIrritation from clothing DirtSubmersion in waterCrust Powder Non-prescribed ointment/ cream Alcohol Avoid the following:

Thanks Baxter Ind. Pvt. Ltd