8 INFECTION CONTROL

Infection control measures for cases of meningococcal disease include:

• Isolation of patients in a side ward with standard precautions AND respiratory droplet precautions. These patients may be transferred when necessary to a general ward 24-48 hours after receiving adequate treatment with a drug that will reliably eliminate nasopharyngeal carriage (ceftriaxone/cefotaxime). Patients on penicillin alone can only be moved from isolation after being given chemoprophylaxis to eradicate nasopharyngeal carriage.

• Standard (universal) precautions must always be observed:

       – Gloves should be worn for all contacts with blood, body fluids, secretions and excretions (except sweat); non-intact skin and mucous membranes.

       – Hand washing with medicated soap before and after any patient contact. Hand washing before and after donning gloves.

       – If procedures are likely to generate splashes, eye protection, a mask and impermeable gowns/aprons should be worn. 

       – Needles and other sharps should not be re-capped and must be disposed of in designated puncture-resistant sharps containers.

• Respiratory droplet precautions (used in addition to standard precautions as above):

       – Isolate the patient in their own room

       – Use standard surgical masks when working within one meter of the patient.

       – Use eye protection if exposed to oral or respiratory secretions.

       – Use a closed suction system.

Note: isolation of patients is recommended for at least 24-48 hours after adequate antibiotic treatment (for elimination of carriage) and patients should not be admitted into an overcrowded ward.

If a side ward Is not at all possible, decrease the risk of spread by ensuring Standard (universal) precautions, drawing the curtains around the bed and keeping the distance between the bed of this patient and the others more than I meter.