Infection control protocols for hemodialysis equipment should include which action by the caregiver?

Infection control protocols for hemodialysis equipment should include which action by the caregiver?

• A. Using gloves when touching the machine
• B. Wearing a surgical mask when near the patient
• C. Reusing disposable supplies
• D. Disinfecting the machine only after use

Answer: (A)

The main concept is protecting both patient and caregiver through proper barrier protection when handling hemodialysis equipment. Wearing gloves when touching the machine provides a critical barrier between hands and any blood or body fluids that might be on machine surfaces, components, or connections. This reduces the chance of transferring pathogens to the patient or to other surfaces and helps keep the equipment sterile for the next use. Gloves should be worn during setup, priming, connections and disconnections, and any time contact with potentially contaminated surfaces is possible. Change gloves between patients and whenever they become contaminated, and perform hand hygiene before putting them on and after removing them. Masks are used for respiratory protection and are not the primary infection-control measure for routine contact with dialysis equipment. Reusing disposable supplies is unsafe and not allowed. Disinfection of the machine is essential and should occur between patients, but gloves during handling provide the immediate barrier that prevents direct transfer of contaminants during care.

The main concept is protecting both patient and caregiver through proper barrier protection when handling hemodialysis equipment. Wearing gloves when touching the machine provides a critical barrier between hands and any blood or body fluids that might be on machine surfaces, components, or connections. This reduces the chance of transferring pathogens to the patient or to other surfaces and helps keep the equipment sterile for the next use. Gloves should be worn during setup, priming, connections and disconnections, and any time contact with potentially contaminated surfaces is possible. Change gloves between patients and whenever they become contaminated, and perform hand hygiene before putting them on and after removing them.

Masks are used for respiratory protection and are not the primary infection-control measure for routine contact with dialysis equipment. Reusing disposable supplies is unsafe and not allowed. Disinfection of the machine is essential and should occur between patients, but gloves during handling provide the immediate barrier that prevents direct transfer of contaminants during care.