Infection Control Guidelines for burn unit Dr. Nahla Abdel Kader.MD, PhD. Infection Control Consultant, MOH Infection Control Surveyor, CBAHI Infection Control Director,KKH. 

1. ١
KING KHALID HOSPITAL
INFECTION PREVENTION
AND
CONTROL MANUAL
BURN UNIT
Dr. Nahla Abdel Kader, MD, PhD.
Infection Control Consultant, MOH
Infection Control CBAHI Surveyor
Infection Prevention Control Director
KKH.

2. ٢
DEFINITION
Burn patients are susceptible to infection due to the loss of the
body defensive barrier; therefore, the prevention of infection
transmission in these patients is imperative. The Burn Unit is a
critical care area and guidelines are required for preventative
measures for this patient population
COMMENTS
1. Screening should be done promptly on patients that are transferred from another
hospital, have been previously hospitalized within the last 6 months, or have a
previous MDRO history.
2. Thermal injuries result in significant suppression of the immune system.
3. Loss of integument and immunosupression after thermal injury results in a marked
increase in the risk for complicated infections.
4. Infections are the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in burn patients.
5. Observe empiric Contact Isolation Precautions.
6. Standard Precautions Must Be Observed For All Patients Regardless Of The
Infection Status

3. ٣
PROCEDURE
A. Employees are responsible to:
1. Comply with Employee Health (EH) guidelines.
2. Report to EH for:
a. Any suspected infections.
b. Exposure to any communicable disease.
c. Any significant exposure to body fluids through sharp
injuries, splashes, and/or non-intact skin contact.
3. Practice stringent hand hygiene. Refer to ICM - II-04.
a. (N.B.: An antiseptic hand hygiene agent or an alcohol rub
should be used for hand hygiene in burn units because the
gram negative bacilli may be difficult to remove from the
hands of the intensive care setting’s personnel).
4. Clean protective equipment. Refer to ICM – II-03 when
performing dressing changes on all burn care procedures.
All PPE must be removed before leaving patient’s room

4. ٤
Next.. PROCEDURE
5. Change gloves when soiled before continuing with care at
another site on the same patient.
6. Instruct patients/ sitters/ families regarding pertinent
infection prevention measures.
7. Restrict plants and flowers at the bedside of patients because
they harbor gram negative organisms such as pseudomonas
species and fungi.
8. Practice aseptic technique for all patients care procedures
requiring asepsis (catheter insertion and dressings).
9. Implement isolation precautions for patients infected/
colonized with epidemiological significant microorganisms.
Notify Infection Control Practitioner.
10. For pediatric patents: In addition to the recommendations
mentioned above; restrict non washable toys (stuffed
animals, cloth objects)

5. ٥
Next.. PROCEDURE
B. Patients/ Visitors:
1. Patients/ Visitors must adhere to the burn unit
personnel’s recommendations/ instructions regarding
infection prevention requirements (e.g. visiting other
patient, PPE use, hand hygiene).
2. Visitors must be excluded from patient care area during
dressing changes. If a visitor is needed during dressing
(usually for small children) full protective equipment
must be worn.

6. ٦
Next.. PROCEDURE
D. Housekeeping:
1. Housekeeping practices should be stringently monitored by
the unit Charge Nurse to ensure maximum control of common
reservoirs, such as, soap dispensers, sinks and floors.
2. Only disinfectants that are approved by the hospital should be
used.
3. There must be designated cleaning equipment (e.g. mops,
pails, and wet vacuum) for use in the unit.
4. Housekeeping personnel should receive training on the
special needs for environmental sanitation in the unit

7. ٧
Next.. PROCEDURE
E. Central Sterilization and Supply
Department (CSSD):
1. Send all reusable items to CSSD for
reprocessing (cleaning, disinfecting and
sterilizing).
2. Develop procedures for cleaning and
disinfecting all new equipment and submit to
Infection Control Committee.

8. ٨
Next.. PROCEDURE
F. Medical Waste Management:
Medical waste is waste that is potentially infectious to
healthcare and housekeeper workers and the public
and includes: Refer to ICM-IX-02 Infectious Waste
Management
1. Human tissue, bone, organs, and fetus.
2. Any vessel, bag, or tubing that contains blood and can
not be emptied.
3. Bandages and dressing moderately or heavily soaked
with blood

9. ٩