STANDARD PRECAUTION

Published by
AIDS / STI SECTION
MINISTRY OF HEALTH MALAYSIA

i
STANDARD PRECAUTIONS

PREPARED BY

Ass. Prof. Dr. Yasmin bt. Abu Hanifah

Dr. Azizah binti Mustafa
Dr. Nazrila Hairizan binti Nasir
Dr. Rahimi binti Hassan
KJ. Habibah binti Abdul Molok
KJ. Tuminah binti Jantan
KJ. Cik Saimah binti Abu

ADVISOR

Y. Bhg. Dato’ Dr. Faisal Bin Hj. Ibrahim

Deputy Director Of Disease Control (AIDS / STI)

EDITED BY

Dr. Rohani Bt. Ali

Dr. Fazidah Bt. Yuswan
AIDS / STI Unit, Ministry Of Health

ii
FOREWARD
DIRECTOR GENERAL OF HEALTH MALAYSIA

T he HIV / AIDS epidemic has now been known

for almost two decades. Since the first HIV
cases reported in Malaysia in 1986, there is a re-
lentless increase in the epidemic. Currently, no
country is able to stop the epidemic. In the ab-
sence of a curative drug or an established effective
vaccine, prevention is the best strategy in control-
ling its spread.

The health care providers are caring for more and more PLWHAs each
year. It is the responsibility of each health care personnel to protect
themselves from contracting the illness from the patient. In order to do
so, it is important that all health care personnel understand standard
precautions and apply them whenever they provide cares to PLWHAs.

Therefore the formulation of this “Standard Precautions” guideline for

use by health care personnel is most appropriate and timely. It will
guide health care personnel in understanding standard precautions
and how to protect them from contracting infectious diseases in the
line of duty. I hope all health care personnel will make use of this
guideline fully for the benefit of themselves as well as others.

I would like to congratulate the AIDS / STI Unit of Ministry Of Health

and individuals that have contributed to the development of these
important documents.

Thank you.

Datu Dr. Mohamad Taha Bin Arif

Director General Of Health
Ministry Of Health

iii
FOREWARD
DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL OF HEALTH ( PUBLIC HEALTH)

T he human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) which

causes AIDS has brought about a massive epi-
demic in Malaysia as well as globally. Malaysia
currently registers 44,208 HIV-infected individu-
als and 5,981 AIDS with 4,502 deaths.

Besides individuals who indulge in a high risk ac-

tivities such as injecting drug users (IDUs) or un-
safe sex practices, health care workers are also considered as a vulner-
able group for their nature of work. Though the risk of transmission from
HIV infected patient to health care worker is low; precautions should not
be ignored. Therefore, it is vital that standard precautions be practiced in
every health care setting.

Standard precautions are considered the most important strategy for

successful infection control in health care setting. They are used for
the care of all patients regardless of their diagnosis and perceived
infection status. This standard precautions guideline now replaces the
previous universal precautions guideline.

It is hope that its references will be useful as tool to promote consistency

in the field of universal infection control.

Thank you.

Dato’ Dr. Tee Ah Sian

Deputy Director General Of Health (Public Health)
Ministry Of Health

iv
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

EDITORIAL i

FOREWARD ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1 : INTRODUCTION

1.0 Introduction 1

CHAPTER 2 : STANDARD PRECAUTIONS AND ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONS

2.0 History 5
2.1 Standard Precautions Definition 6
2.2 Standard Precautions Practices 7
2.3 Additional Precautions 14
2.4 Additional Precautions – Isolation Practices 14
2.5 Disinfectants 18
2.6 Intravascular Procedures 20
2.7 Collection And Transportation Of Blood From Patients 20

CHAPTER 3 : STANDARD PRECAUTIONS IN SPECIFIC HEALTH FACILITIES

3.0 Infection Control Precautions For Health

Care Workers 22
3.1 In General Wards 22
3.2 In Intensive Care Unit 23
3.4 In The Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department /
Treatment Room / Operation Theatre / Dental Clinic 26
3.5 Renal Dialysis Unit 28
3.6 Services Outside The Health Premises 29

PAGE
CHAPTER 4 : STANDARD PRECAUTIONS
v FOR LABORATORY SERVICES
 INCLUDING BLOOD TRANSFUSION CENTERS

4.0 Introduction 30
4.1 Newly – Employed Health Care Workers 30
4.2 Emergency Measures Following Exposure To Blood /
Body Fluid 30
4.3 Proctective Clothing 31
4.4 Handwashing Facilities 31
4.5 General Precautions 32
4.6 Collection, Despatch And Reception Of Specimens 33
4.7 Chemical Pathology / Haematology 33
4.8 Hispathology 33
4.9 Medical Microbiology 34
4.10 Waste Disposal 34
4.11 Management Of Blood / Body Fluid Spillage 34

CHAPTER 5 : GUIDELINE FOR HEALTH CARE WORKERS

5.0 Staff Protection And Immunization 35

5.1 Management Of Health Care Workers Who Are
Exposed To Blood / Body Fluid Due To Innoculation
Accidents And Mucusa Membrane Contact 35
5.2 PEP In Health Care Workers 39
5.3 Conclusion 39

CHAPTER 6 : GUIDELINES FOR THE TRANSPORT AND DISPOSAL OF DEAD

BODIES DUE TO HIV INFECTION / AIDS

6.0 Introduction 41
6.1 Infection Control Precautions During Last
Rites In The Hospital 41
6.2 Death At Home 43
6.3 Transport Of A Dead Body Into / Out Of The Country 44

REFERENCES 45

vi
CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Health care workers are at risk of exposure to not only HIV infection but
also other infections, which inflict AIDS patients. Transmission of HIV in
health care settings can occur from patient to health care worker, be-
tween patients, or from health care worker to patients.

The risk to staff arises from:

• sharps and hollow needles;

• splashing of conjunctivae and mucous membranes with con
taminated blood and body fluids;
• heavy contamination of broken skin, e.g. cuts, dermatitis etc.;
• handling of large quantities of blood and body fluids without pro-
tective clothing.

The risk to patients arises from:-

• use of recycled hollow needles and syringes;

• contaminated blood transfusion;
• heavy soiling of the environment;
• poor ward facilities and cleaning

Realizing these risks, infection control measures should be taken to

protect patients and health care workers against all sort of infections,
which are spread by various routes of transmission.

1
In order to prevent transmission of disease producing organisms (patho-
gens) from one person to another, it is vital to understand the chain of
infection and factors involved (See Figure 1.1).

Figure 1.1: The chain of infection

Agent

Susceptible Reservoir
Host
CHAIN OF
INFECTION
Place of Place of
Entry Exit

Method of
Transmission

Each link in this chain of infection represents an opportunity for the

interruption of the process. The links of the chain are defined and de-
scribed specifically for HIV in Figure 1.2.

2
 Figure 1.2 : The chain of HIV infection
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Link in chain Definition HIV
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Agent Microorganism which causes Agent that cause

infection. Agents include HIV infection :
bacteria, viruses, fungi and
parasites Human immuno
deficiency
virus ( HIV )

Reservoir A place where micro - HIV live inside

organisms live, such as in
humans and animals, in soils, humans.
food, plants, air or water.

Where the microorganism HIV leave the leaves

Place of exit
leaves the reservoir human body via
the penis in semen,
vaginal secretions,
in blood through
breaks in skin and
rarely, the breast
(breast-milk).

Method of How the micro-organism HIV is transmitted via:

transmission travels from place to places - sexual contact and
semen donation;
- through blood in use
of contaminated
needles and syringe;
- blood or blood
products
- from an infected
mother to her unborn
infant during delivery
or shortly after birh

3
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Link in chain Definition HIV
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Place of entry Where the microorganism HIV enters the host

enters the host usually the via the penis,
same way as it left the old vagina, rectal lining,
host. breaks in skin,
blood transfusion
and rarely breast-
feeding

A person who may HIV infection can

Susceptible
become infected occur in anyone
Host
who has sexual
or blood contact
with an infected
person and in in-
fants of infected
mothers.

The following strategies are used to minimise the risk of to HIV / AIDS infections
:

i. Use of Standard Precautions and Additional Precautions as a

risk reduction measure
ii. Modification of risky procedures and use of safety devices to reduce oc-
cupational risk.
iii. Education and retraining

4
CHAPTER 2
STANDARD PRECAUTIONS AND ADDITIONAL PRECAU-
TIONS

2.0 HISTORY

Largely due to the HIV epidemic, the Universal Precautions were developed in
1985 to protect essentially health care workers against blood-borne infections
through needle-sticks and mucous membrane exposure to contaminated blood
and body fluids.

The Universal Precautions applied to all patients regardless of their presumed

infection status (this was why the use of the word ‘universal’ in the term ‘Uni-
versal Precautions’ ) and to
• Blood
• Semen & vaginal secretions
• All deep body fluids (amniotic, cerebrospinal, pericardial, peritoneal
pleural, synovial fluids)
• Any other body fluids visibly contaminated with blood

But the Universal Precautions did not apply to faeces; nasal secretions; sputum;
sweat; tears; urine; or vomitus unless they contained visible blood.

The Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta recommended the use of other isola-
tion precautions beside the Universal Precautions when infections other than
blood-borne infections were also diagnosed or suspected.

In 1987, a new system of isolation called ‘Body Substance Isolation’ (BSI) was
proposed by a separate group of infection control professionals. The Body Sub-
stance Isolation isolated all moist and potentially infectious body substances
(blood, faeces, urine, sputum, saliva, wound drainage and other body fluids)
from all patients regardless of their presumed infection status primarily through
the use of gloves.
5
The Universal Precautions and the Body Substance Isolation had in common many
features designed to prevent onward transmission of infections. However, during
their implementation considerable confusion and controversies were created be-
cause various hospitals had varied interpretations of these two isolation precau-
tions. As a result a variety of combinations of these two precautions were used.
Many health care workers were also unsure of which body fluids required Univer-
sal Precautions and Body Substance Isolation. Subsequently, hospitals which
were using Universal Precautions were actually using the Body Substance Isola-
tion and vice versa. Some hospitals when implementing the Universal Precautions
or the Body Substance Isolation were found not using other isolation precautions
for such serious infections as tuberculosis, infections due to multiple-resistant
microorganisms and others.

Hence in 1996, the Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta addressed the issue by
proposing a new set of guideline and recommended the Standard and Additional
Precautions as a two-tier approach to infection control.

This policy now replaces the previous Universal Precautions and reflects the
current infection control practices in all health care settings.

1.1 STANDARD PRECAUTIONS DEFINITION

Standard Precautions are considered the most important strategy for suc-
cessful infection control in the health care setting. They are used for the
care of all patients regardless of their diagnosis and perceived infection
status. Therefore Standard Precautions apply to all patients who are as-
sumed to be infectious and to:

• blood
• all body fluids, secretions, and excretions except sweat, regardless of
whether they contain visible blood
• non-intact skin
• mucous membranes

6
2.2 STANDARD PRECAUTIONS PRACTICES

Standard Precautions involve work practices which avoid direct contact with
blood and all body fluids and guard against needle-stick injuries and expo-
sures to mucous membranes. The infection control practices should include:

2.2.1 Hand washing.

2.2.2 Appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) includ-
ing gloves, mask, eye goggles, face shield and gown.
2.2.3 Use of disposables and proper cleaning, disinfection and
sterilisation of patient-care equipment.
2.2.4 Proper housekeeping and management of spillage.
2.2.5 Management of soiled/contaminated laundry
2.2.6 Disposal of sharps and infectious wastes

2.2.1 Hand washing

Hand washing is a process of removing of transient, potentially pathogenic

micro-organisms from the hands and it is a critical factor in the management of
patients with HIV/AIDS.

Hands should be washed routinely

• Before and after coming into contact with patient

• When they are contaminated with blood and body fluids
• After removing gloves
• Before and after each patient-care procedure,

Hands should be properly washed following the effective hand-washing tech-

nique as shown in Figure 2.1.

7
Figure 2.1 : Hand Washing Techniques

1 2

Palm to palm. Right palm over left hand and vice

versa.

3 4

Palm to palm fingers interlaced. Back of finger to opposing palms

with fingers interlocked.

5 6

Rotational rubbing of right thumb Rotational rubbing, with clapsed

clapsed in left palm and vice versa. fingers of right hand in left palm
and vice versa.

8
2.2.2 Appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE)

i) Gloves

a) Sterile surgical gloves should be worn for all surgical and invasive
procedures.

b) Disposable latex/rubber gloves should be worn when touching

blood, body fluids, secretions, mucous membranes, non-intact skin,
excretions, and contaminated items.

c) Gloves should be promptly removed after touching these materi-

als.

d) Change gloves in between procedures and between patient con-

tact.

e) Gloves should be discarded after a procedure.

f) Hands should be washed immediately after removing gloves.

ii) Masks, eye goggles or face shields

Mask, eye goggles or a face shield should be worn to protect mucous mem-
branes of the eyes; nose; and mouth only when performing patient-care pro-
cedures that are likely to generate splashes of blood, body fluids, secretions
and excretions. Examples of such procedures are irrigation and suction proce-
dures, delivery and dental procedures etc.

iii) Plastic aprons/gowns

A separate disposable apron/gown should be worn for each patient. It is worn
to prevent soiling of clothing when performing patient-care procedures that
are likely to generate splashes of blood, body fluids, secretions or excretions.

iv) Rubber boots/overshoes

Rubber boots and plastic disposable overshoes may be worn if a large area of
floor is grossly contaminated with spillage.

9
2.2.3 Proper housekeeping and management of spillage

i) Proper housekeeping
There should be a regular cleaning schedule which is diligently adhered
to keep the environment clean and safe.

ii) Management of spillage

a) The spillage should be dealt with as soon as possible.

b) Disposable latex/rubber gloves should be worn throughout the

procedure.

c) Rubber boots and plastic disposable overshoes may be worn if a

large area is grossly contaminated with the spillage.

d) Freshly prepared Sodium hypochlorite (Chlorox)* 1 : 10 or sprinkle

Chloride granules to cover the spillage and left for 5-10 minutes.
If it is a large spillage, it may be covered with suitable absorbent
material.

e) The spillage should be wiped up using paper towels or suitable

absorbent material. Avoid direct contact between gloved hands
and the spillage.

f) The area should be mopped with Sodium hypochlorite (Chlorox)*

1 : 100.

g) For a large spill, a mop can be used to wipe instead, but the mop
needs to be disinfected with sodium hypochlorite and rinsed thor-
oughly.

h) Broken glass pieces should be carefully swept with a broom and

discarded into a sharps container.

i) Equipments used for management of spillage should be decon-

taminated.

10
2.2.4 Disinfection and sterilisation of patient-care equipment

a) Disposable, single-use instruments and items should be used

whenever possible.

b) When reusable items are used, they must be thoroughly cleaned,

disinfected and sterilised after each use. However, no special pro-
cedures are required in the existing disinfection and sterilisation
procedures to deal with the HIV virus. (Refer to Disinfection and
Sterilization Policy, KKM 1998).

c) Safety precautions should be practised in handling sharp instru-

ments at all times.

d) HIV is readily destroyed by heat at 70-80oC. If autoclaves are not

available, reusable items may be disinfected by boiling for 10-30
minutes.

2.2.5 Management of soiled/contaminated linen

a) Staff handling ward linen should wear disposable latex/rubber

gloves and masks at all times. Handling should be done only when
necessary and no sorting is allowed.

b) Used linen should be placed into laundry bags at site.

c) Soiled linen soaked with blood or body fluid should be placed into
appropriate laundry bags with biohazard label.

2.2.6 Disposal of sharps and infectious wastes

i) Disposal of sharps

a) Sharps containers must be placed at the work sites.

b) Needles should not be removed from disposable syringes, recapped,

bent or broken by hands.

11
c) Sharps (loose needles, scalpels, blades, razors, IV administration
sets, glass pieces and ampoules) should be picked up with forceps
and discarded into sharps containers.

d) Sharps containers should not be more than two-thirds full before

disposal.

ii) Disposal of infectious Wastes

a) Wastes contaminated with blood and blood products (including

blood packs) and soiled dressings should be discarded into yel-
low-coloured bags, ensuring that no leaking of fluid from the bag.

b) Excreta and other body fluids should be discarded directly into

the toilet or into the sluice that is directly connected to the sew-
age system.

12
Figure 2.2 : Flow Chart Disposal Of Infectious Clinical Wastes

Start

Infectious Clinical Waste

Sharp Non-sharps

Sharp Yellow Waste bag

Central Collection Area

Incineration

End

13
2.3 ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONS

Additional Precautions are used for patients known or suspected to be in-

fected by pathogens that are spread by airborne, droplet, contact or a com-
bined route of transmission. Additional Precautions are used when Standard
Precautions alone are not adequate to interrupt transmission. Additional Pre-
cautions include Airborne Precautions, Droplet Precautions and Contact Pre-
cautions.

2.4 ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONS - ISOLATION PRACTICES

If HIV/AIDS patients are infected with certain opportunistic infections

Additional Isolation Precautions should be used when Standard Precau-
tions alone are inadequate to stop transmission.

2.4.1 Airborne Precautions

Patients known or suspected to have illnesses such as measles, disseminated

varicella zoster, active pulmonary tuberculosis which are transmitted by air-
borne route should be isolated as follows:

i) Patient placement

a) The patient should be placed in a single, well-ventilated room,

ideally with an attached toilet and bathroom. Well-ventilated room
may include an exhaust system leading to the outside. If there is
no exhaust system, windows should be kept open.

b) The room door should be closed at all times.

c) When single rooms are not available, patients may be cohorted.

14
ii) Respiratory protection

a) A surgical mask should be worn when entering the room and when
doing procedures.

b) For patient with known or suspected pulmonary tuberculosis,

wearing of a well-fitted, high-efficiency particulate air mask or res-
pirator is advisable, mainly during aerosol-generating procedures
such as bronchoscopy, tracheostomy, endotracheal intubation,
suctioning etc.

iii) Patient transport

a) The movement and transport of the patient from the room should
be limited.

b) If really necessary to move the patient, a surgical mask should be

placed on the patient.

c) The receiving department should be informed of patient’s clinical

status.

2.4.2 Droplet Precautions

Patients known or suspected to have serious illnesses transmitted by large

particle droplets such as pneumonia due to Haemophilus influenzae and Strep-
tococcus pneumoniae, streptococcal pharyngitis, influenza, mumps, rubella,
Nipah virus etc should be isolated as follows:

i) Patient placement

a) Ideally the patient should be placed in a single room preferably

with attached bathroom and toilet.

b) If single rooms are not available, patients may be cohorted.

c) A separation of space of at least three feet between patients should

be maintained.

15
 d) Special air handling and ventilation are not necessary.

e) The door may remain open.

ii) Respiratory protection

A surgical mask should be worn when working within three feet of the patient.

iii) Patient transport

a) The movement and transport of patient from the room should be

limited.

b) If movement is necessary, patient’s dispersal of droplets should

be minimised by masking the patient.

c) The receiving department should be informed of patient’s clinical

status.

2.4.3 Contact Precautions

Contact Precautions should be used for patients known or suspected to have

serious illnesses due to pathogens easily transmitted by direct patient con-
tact or by indirect contact with items in the patient’s environment. Such ill-
nesses include the following:

• Enteric infections

• Skin or wound infections/colonisation with multidrug resistant

bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staph. aureus (MRSA);
multidrug resistant gram negative organisms; herpes zoster; MDR
TB).

• Viral conjunctivitis.

16
i) Patient placement

a) Ideally the patient should be placed in a single room preferably

with attached bathroom and toilet.

b) If single rooms are not available, patients may be cohorted.

ii) Gloves and hand washing

a) Hands must be washed and disposable, non-sterile gloves are

worn before attending to each patient.

b) Gloves must be changed immediately after having contact with

infective materials (faecal material and wound drainage).

c) Sterile gloves should be worn for invasive procedures.

d) Gloves must be disposed into clinical waste bin before leaving

the patient’s environment and hands must be washed immedi-
ately with antiseptic soap.

Iii) Gown / plastic apron

a) A clean, non-sterile gown/plastic apron should be worn upon en-

tering the room.

b) If there is contact with patient, environmental surfaces or items.

c) when nursing patients with incontinence, ileoestomy, colostomy

or wound drainage.

d) A separate gown/plastic apron should be used for each patient.

e) Sterile gowns should be worn for invasive procedures.

f) The gown / plastic apron must be removed before leaving the iso-
lation room.

17
 g) If possible there should not be any sharing of items or equipment.
If unavoidable, the items must be adequately cleaned and disin-
fected before use for another patient.

iv) Patient transport

a) The movement and transport of patient from the room should be

limited.

b) If the patient is transported out of the room, the risk of environ-

mental contamination and transmission of micro-organisms to other
patients should be minimised by
• bathing the patient and changing his/her clothing
• changing wound dressing/colostomy

c) The receiving department should be informed of patient clinical

status.

2.5 DISINFECTANTS

Hypochlorites are recommended for surfaces and 2 percent gluteraldehyde

for heat-sensitive equipment.

Chlorine compounds are very unstable. Prepare solutions daily or store in a

covered brown bottle for up to 30 days. The bottle must be tightly capped
between use. Avoid direct sunlight.

General guidance on the use of chemical (disinfection procedures is found in

‘Disinfection and Sterilization Policy and Practice, Ministry of Health, Malay-
sia. Third Edition 1993’.

18
 Figure 4.3 : Recommended dilutions of chlorine-releasing compounds

“Dirty” Conditions “Clean” conditions (Following physical

(for flooding the removal of bulk
ontaminated surface prior material)
to removal of bulk material)

Available Chlorine 0.5% (5 g/litre, 0.05 -01% (1 g/litre,

(required dilution) 5000 p.p.m.) 500 -1000 p.p.m.)

Sodium hypochlorite
solution 100ml/litre 10 - 20 ml/litre.
(5% available chlorine)

Calciuim hypochlorite 7.0 g/litre 0.7 -1.4 g/litre

70% available chlorine

Sodium dichloroiso-
cyanurat (NaDCC) 8.5 g/litre 0.9 -1.7 g/litre
(60% available chlorine)

NaDCC - based tablets

( 1.5 g of available 4 tablets/litre 1/2 - 1 tablet/litre
chlorine per tablet)

Chloramine
(tosylchloramide
sodium, chloramine 20 g/litre 10 - 20 g/litre *
T (25% available
chlorine)

* Chloramine releases chlorine at a slower rate than dohypochlorites. Therefore a higher

available chlorine concentration is required in chloramine solutions for the same effec-
tiveness. Chloramine solutions are not inactivated by biological materials (e.g. protein
and blood) thus a similar concentration is recommended for both clean and dirty condi-
tions.

19
2.6 INTRAVASCULAR PROCEDURES

These must be performed with great care by an trained personel:

a) Gloves should be worn.

b) Use additional protective equipments if necessary.

c) A closed system (Vacutainer) is recommended but if a hypodermic needle

and syringe must be used the whole unit must be discarded in a sharps
container at work site. DO NOT RESHEATH NEEDLES.

d) Cannulae, hypodermics and Vacutainers with retractable needles are avail-

able for use on high-risk patients. Although these are expensive and cum-
bersome to use, they greatly reduce the risk of needle-stick injuries.

e) For interrupted infusion, the end of IV giving set should be kept cov-
ered with stopper instead of needle.

f) Use intravenous stopper after taking blood gaseous instead of capped

neddle.

2.7 COLLECTION AND TRANSPORTATION OF BLOOD FROM PA-

TIENTS

a) Collect specimens (using a closed system, see above) in secure contain-

ers, label clearly and put in a leak-proof bag with request form.
(Venepuncture should only be performed by an trained personal. Double
gloves may be worn and a disposable plastic sheets should be placed
beneath the patient’s arm to reduce contamination from accidental blood
spillage).

b) Any gauze or soiled paper towels should be discarded in the clinical

waste bag.

20
c) Transferring the blood to an appropriate container should be done slowly
and carefully and without creating an aerosol.

d) Needles should not be resheathed but discarded in the sharps container.

However, if resheathing is absolutely necessary, use a mushroom de-
vice, which holds the cap so the needle can be introduced safely. Alter-
natively, lay the cap on the table with the closed end against anything
that offers resistance and insert the needle carefully - NEVER hold the
cap while resheathing.

21
CHAPTER 3
STANDARD PRECAUTIONS IN SPECIFIC HEALTH
FACILITIES

3.0 INFECTION CONTROL PRECAUTIONS FOR HEALTH CARE

WORKERS

The following infection control precautions applied for all health

care workers in hospitals as well as health clinics setup.

3.1 In general wards

a) Wear gloves and disposable aprons / gowns when handling blood

and body fluids. Wearing of double gloves is recommended when
performing oral care.

b) Cover cuts, abrasions or any type of skin lesions with a waterproof

dressing and wear gloves when caring for patients. Health care
workers with eczema or severe skin lesions should not deliver care
to HIV/AIDS patients.

c) Use disposable sets and items as far as possible.

d) Keep equipment and staff to a minimum when nursing HIV/AIDS

patients. Carry out routine environmental cleaning with water and
detergent.

e) Properly dispose off all soiled dressings, swabs, syringes and

sharps into appropriate clinical waste bags & sharp containers.

f) Give patients individual thermometers and other personal hygiene

sets.

g) Wipe thermometers with 70% alcohol and store dry.

22
 h) Staff assisting in procedures likely to generate splashes should wear
eye goggles and masks.

i) Only qualified and trained health care workers are allowed to take blood
specimens from HIV/AIDS patients. Seek assistance when dealing with
uncooperative, restless and confused patients.

j) Collect blood and body fluid specimens in securely sealed con-

tainers to prevent leakage during transportation.

k) Use disposable resuscitation devices if available. If inavailable the

item must be adeaquately cleaned and disinfected before using it
on other patient.

l) Isolate patients according to Airborne, Droplet or Contact Precau-

tions when required.

m) Patients with HIV infection do not require any disposable or sepa-

rate eating/drinking utensils. These can be washed with hot water
and detergent.

n) Patients with severe mouth infection, pulmonary TB or an enteric in-

fection may use their own crockery, kept in the isolation room.

o) Handle laboratory specimens as follows:

• Collect specimens into appropriate containers with tight-
fitting lids to prevent leakage.
• Transport specimens with care to the laboratory as soon as
possible.

3.2 In Intensive Care Unit

a) Health care workers in the Intensive Care Unit should adhere to Stan-
dard Precautions at all times and use appropriate Additional Precau-
tions when applicable.

b) Wear disposable plastic apron/gown, masks and eye goggles dur-

ing procedures that are likely to generate splashes of blood or body
fluids.

23
 c) Wear separate disposable plastic apron/gown when attending to
each patient.

d) Wear sterile double gloves when performing aseptic invasive pro-

cedures.

e) A sharps container should be available on every procedure trolley

Discard all sharps into the sharps container immediately after use.

f) When possible, use self-sheathing needles, cannulae and other

safety devices.

3.3 In labour room

The following infection control procedures are recommended for health per-
sonnels attached at labour rooms either in hospitals or Alternative Birth Cen-
ters (ABC).

a) All HIV positive mothers should deliver in the hospital for proper man-
agement.

b) Health care workers who perform vaginal deliveries and manual removal
of placenta should wear elbow-length latex gloves and long-sleeved
disposable plastic gown. For Caesarean section, wear a plastic apron
beneath the sterile surgical gown.

c) Wear disposable latex / rubber gloves when handling placenta, the new-
born and the umbilical cord.

d) Handle placenta as follows:

i) For Health Care Worker

• Wear plastic apron and double gloves when examining

placenta.

• Avoid splashes.

24
ii) For Muslims

• Place placenta in sodium hypochlorite 1:10 for 10 minutes.

• Drain out and carefully seal in double plastic bags before hand-
ing over to relatives.

• Provide relatives with two pairs of disposable latex/rubber gloves.

• Educate them on safe handling of the placenta at home.

• If the Muslim relatives do not wish to take the placenta home,

discard as clinical wastes.

iii) For Non-Muslims

• Discard as clinical waste.

e) Discard all disposable contamined items into yellow bags for incinera-
tion.

f) Wear disposable latex / rubber gloves and plastic aprons when han-
dling baby and umbilical cord after initial handling and examination.

g) Wear disposable latex / rubber gloves and plastic apron for any further
procedures involving body fluid eg. Changing sanitary towel.

h) The mother should sit or lie on disposable incontinence pad on the

wheel chair or stretcher during transfer to the postnatal wards.

i) Discard all linen stained with blood and liquor into appropriate bag for
soiled linen.

j) Disinfect delivery bed by wiping with sodium hypochlorite 1:10 and then
wipe dry.

25
k) Post-natal infection control measures

i) Wear gloves and plastic aprons for any procedures involving blood
or vaginal secretions.

ii) Ensure minimal handling of contaminated materials such as under-

wear and sanitary towels.

iii) Wash hands thoroughly after examination.

iv) Discard all linen that is stained with blood or liquor into appropri-
ate linen bags before sending to laundry.

v) Discard all used sanitary towels and disposable items into clinical
waste bags for incineration.

vi) Educate patient on good hand and personal hygiene.

3.4 In the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department / Treatment Room

/ Operation Theatre / Dental Clinic

The following infection control procedures are recommended for all

personnels in Accident And Emergency ( A&E ) department, treatment
room, operation theatre, day care surgery and dental care and surgery.

i) Before procedur / surgery

a) Schedule known HIV/AIDS cases last in the operation list .

b) Use waterproof, disposable drapes; disposable gowns; anaes-

thetic masks; and circuits for all cases.

c) Avoid pre-operative shaving. Depilatory cream can be used if

available.

26
ii) Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)

a) Wear sterile double gloves during any surgical procedure in-

volving penetration of skin, mucous membrane and/or other tis-
sues.

b) If a glove is torn, replace it when patient’s safety permits. Wash

hands immediately after removal of gloves.

c) Wear eye goggles and masks, or face shields during procedures

that may result in splashing of blood, body substances or bone
fragments.

d) Waterproof aprons/gowns and boots must cover clothing if

blood splash is expected.

Iii) Surgical techniques

a) Identify a neutral zone for sharp instruments, and no hand-to-

hand passing of these instruments is allowed.

b) Encourage the use of magnetic pads for sharps. Surgeons must be

responsible for safe placement of sharp instruments.

c) Never pick up needles with fingers.

d) Use retractors or swab sticks to increase access into deep tis-

sues.

e) Cut off suture on atraumatic needle before tying knots to pre-

vent needle stick injury.

f) Avoid sharp wound retractors such as rake retractors and skin

hooks.

g) Avoid wire sutures for closure of abdomen to prevent injury.

h) Encourage the use of blunt needle suturing to close the chest

and abdomen. The use of skin staplers is useful for final skin clo-
sure.
27
 i) No washing of used instruments is to be done in OT. They should
be done mechanically in the CSSD.

j) Use closed wound drainage systems.

k) Dress surgical wounds with a waterproof outer dressing to con-

tain wound exudate.

l) Attend to all needle-stick and mucous membrane exposures imme-

diately according to standard protocol at the work place.

iv) Emergency Surgical Procedure

Apply all standard precautions measures.

v) Terminal Disinfection Of The Operating Room And Instruments

Carry out terminal disinfection of the operating room and instruments

according to standard protocols and no additional precautions are re-
quired. (References required for Operating Room And Instruments Dis-
infection)

3.5 Renal dialysis unit

The same basic principle apply to the dialysis unit as to the operating theatre
and delivery room:

a) Staff should be immunized against hepatitis B before starting work in

the unit.

b) All patients should be screened and immunized against hepatitis B.

c) Disposable tubing and heat-labile equipment are recommended for di-

alysis.

d) The outer surfaces of the renal dialysis machine should be cleaned with
warm water and detergent.

e) The inside of the machine should be cleaned with 1 per cent chloro
(hypochlorite) and rinse thoroughly before further use.

28
f) Disposable filters should be used to prevent contamination with blood.

g) Disposable administration lines, dialyser and needles should be used.

h) Equipment to be recycled should be able to withstand autoclave tem-

peratures of 121ºC.

3.6 Services outside the health premises

(eg: School health services / Mobile clinic / Health Camps etc)

All standard precautions as above applies.

a) Sharp bin must be brought to the field and place near the working area.

b) All used sharps should be placed in the sharpbin.

c) Needles should not be removed from disposable syringes, recapped,

bent or broken by hands.

d) All clinical wastes must be placed in the yellow plastic bags and en-
sure that there is no spillage.

e) The yellow plastic bags must be securely tied before bringing it back
to the clinic for disposal.

f) All contaminated linen must be placed in the plastic bags and tied se-
curely before bringing it back to the clinic. At the clinic wash the linen
with running water and soaked it with sodium hypochlorite for 30 min-
utes. Then launder as usual.

g) If a needle-stick injury occur, guideline on management of occupational

exposure should be adhered strictly.

29
CHAPTER 4
STANDARD PRECAUTIONS FOR LABORATORY
SERVICES INCLUDING BLOOD TRANFUSION CENTRES

4.0 INTRODUCTION

Laboratory safety and infection control procedures are important to protect

the staff and minimize accidental exposures to potentially infectious mate-
rials. Standard laboratory rules pertaining to safety and hygiene must be
adhered to at all times when handling clinical specimen and in preventing
exposures to HIV and hepatitis via blood / body fluids.

4.1 NEWLY-EMPLOYED HEALTH CARE WORKERS

a) All new staffs in the healthcare setting should be trained in

standard precautions and laboratory safety procedures.

b) They should be screened for Hepatitis B and given the appro-

priate vaccination if necessary.

4.2 EMERGENCY MEASURES FOLLOWING EXPOSURE TO

BLOOD / BODY FLUIDS

a) The emergency equipment (e.g. First aid box, wash basin,

eye wash fountain) should be available and easily accessible.

b) Accidents such as cuts, needle sticks injuries and skin abra-

sions with instruments possibly contaminated with blood should
be reported promptly to the Superior officer / Safety Officer and
Head of unit for immediate management and follow-up.

c) First aid should be administered immediately. If there is a

wound/cut, squeeze out the blood and wash with plenty of
water and soap. The eyes and mouth are washed and rinsed
with water if the face had been splashed with blood.

30
 d) The sharp injury / accident is documented including details
of exposure to blood and blood products.

e) Blood from injured healthcare worker and the source (if known)
should be tested for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV.

f) The staff is referred for further management, counseling and

follow-up.

4.3 PROTECTIVE CLOTHING

a) Laboratory coats/gowns/aprons should be worn at all times

when handling potentially infectious clinical specimens and labo-
ratory materials, and removed when leaving the laboratory. For
procedures in which splashes may occur e.g. in the washing
room, impermeable plastic apron is recommended.

b) Wear disposable gloves when handling all clinical specimens.

Remove gloves when answering the telephone, performing
written work and on completion of work.

c) Wear mask, eye goggles or face shields if splashes or aero-

sols are likely to generated such as in activities of blending,
sonicating and vigorous mixing. Carry out these activities in a
biological safety cabinet.

d) Contaminated laboratory coat, gown, and other protective cloth-

ing should be soaked with sodium hypochlorite 1:10 for at
least 30 minutes before washing with detergent and water.

4.4 HANDWASHING FACILITIES

a) Sinks for washing hands should be available and located

at the exit / entrance of the laboratory.

31
 b) Adequate liquid soap and paper towels should be provided.
Antiseptic detergents containing chlorhexidine may be sup-
plied for washing hands contaminated by infectious materi-
als.

4.5 GENERAL PRECAUTIONS

a) All workbenches and laboratory environmental surfaces (in-

cluding drawers) should be made of smooth, non-porous
material (e.g. Formica) and able to withstand regular disin-
fection.

b) Workbench tops should be regularly wiped with 0.5% so-

dium hypochlorite.

c) The specimens for which special measures must be taken

are blood, serum, unfixed tissue and body fluids. Urine,
saliva and faeces without overt blood staining present mini-
mal risk. Specimens should be kept in a ‘dirty area’ of the
laboratory.

d) Separate clean areas should be designated for books, forms

and reports.

e) Serum, plasma and similar specimens should be prefer-

ably centrifuged in sealed buckets with translucent caps.
If a breakage occurs in a centrifuge, the procedure should
generally be abandoned, the centrifuge decontaminated by
chemical disinfection and the buckets by autoclaving.
Trained and informed staff wearing suitable protective cloth-
ing, as directed by the head of unit may salvage important
unrepeatable specimens. It is not necessary to open the
centrifuge buckets in a safety cabinet.

f) Centrifuge buckets should be routinely disinfected at the

end of the day and immediately when soiled.

g) Decontaminate any equipment that has been contaminated

with blood or other body fluids with sodium

32
 hypochlorite, or autoclaved, whichever is suitable and ac-
cording to the manufacturer’s recommendation.

h) Hands should be washed with soap and water after remov-

ing gowns and gloves, before leaving the laboratory and at
any time after handling material known or suspected to be
contaminated.

i) Mouth pippetting of any substance is strictly prohibited.

Use mechanical pippetting devices for manipulating all liq-
uids.

j) Do not recap needles and syringes to prevent needle-stick

injuries.

k) All Pan Jets must be decontaminated every morning by

boiling for 15 minutes. If contaminated by blood, it is to be
cleaned and boiled before using.

l) For laboratories specializing in HIV investigation, the labo-

ratory door should be close and access is restricted.

4.6 COLLECTION, DESPATCH AND RECEPTION OF SPECIMENS

a) All staff should be trained on safety and infection control

measures regarding sharp injuries, blood and body fluid
exposures.

b) Specimens must be collected in robust screw-capped and

leak-proof containers, which will stand upright. They should
be properly labeled on both the specimen containers and
request forms.

c) Blood specimens from patients with HIV/AIDS should be

sent to the laboratory by porters (and not via the pneu-
matic tube transport system).

33
4.7 CHEMICAL PATHOLOGY / HAEMATOLOGY

a) Tests should wherever possible be confined to those which

can be performed in an enclosed system, e.g. automatic
analyzer.

b) If the apparatus requires servicing, preliminary disinfection

of the entire system will be necessary.

4.8 HISTOPATHOLOGY

a) The usual methods of fixation of tissue and smears are

satisfactory for the inactivation of HIV.

b) Wherever possible, tissues should be received in the labo-

ratory as small specimens in fixative. For small biopsy speci-
mens, 6-8 hours in formaldehyde solution would suffice and
this time interval should satisfy most diagnostic needs. When
a more rapid result is required, other methods of fixation,
such as the use of heated formaldehyde solution, may suf-
fice. No special precautions need be taken with fixed speci-
mens.

c) Post-mortem examinations are carried out for medico-le-

gal purposes or clinical reasons at the medico-legal dis-
cretion of the Pathologist.

4.9 MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY

a) Clinical specimens, which appear to have leaked, should

not be processed. If another specimen could not be ob-
tained, then the processing of this specimen should be
left to the discretion of the Medical Microbiologist.

b) Laboratory discard jars should be provided daily with

freshly prepared 0.5% (1:10) sodium hypochlorite.

34
4.10 WASTE DISPOSAL

a) Clinical specimens should be properly disposed in clinical

waste bags to be sent for incineration. Incineration is the
method of choice for disposing of infectious waste. Other-
wise they can be decontaminated by autoclaving or chemi-
cal disinfection before disposal.

b) Sharp instrument and needles should be put in a puncture-

resistant container to be disposed by incineration. Needles
should not be bent or recapped.

c) All glassware for recycling should be decontaminated by

autoclaving at 121×C for 10 – 20 minutes or heat-treated at
160×C for 1 hour prior to discarding the contents.

4.11 MANAGEMENT OF BLOOD / BODY FLUID SPILLAGE

Blood / body fluid spillage must be managed accordingly as mentioned

in Chapter 2 ( 2.2.3 para ii ).

35
CHAPTER 5
GUIDELIE FOR HEALTH CARE WORKERS

5.0 STAFF PROTECTION AND IMMUNIZATION

a) All staff working with hepatitis B and HIV patients must be

immunized against hepatitis B.

b) Staff should have adequate training in the care of patients

who are HIV or hepatitis B - positive and should be aware
of the risks involved.

c) Clear policies of safety, covering inoculation accidents must

be available. All inoculation accidents must be reported
and documented.

d) Frequent lectures are essential to allay fear and promote

good morale.

5.1 MANAGEMENT OF HEALTH CARE WORKERS WHO ARE EX-

POSED TO BLOOD / BODY FLUIDS DUE TO INOCULATION AC-
CIDENTS AND MUCOUS MEMBRANE CONTACT

a) Immediate action by affected health care worker.

i) In inoculation accident, squeeze and wash the af-

fected area under running tap water. Dress the wound.

ii) If blood/body fluid gets on the skin, wash well with

soap and water.

iii) If the eyes are contaminated, rinse the area gently

but thoroughly with water or normal saline with eyes
open.

36
 iv) If blood / body fluid gets into the mouth, spit it out
and rinse the mouth with water several times.

b) Inform the superior and document the accident using the

reporting form.

c) Seek medical treatment for wound dressing and

antitetanus if necessary. Collect 5 ml of blood for HIV,
Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C testing from the affected health
care worker and the source individual.

d) Label all blood specimens as ‘Urgent Inoculation Acci-

dent’.

e) If the source individual is known or suspected to be posi-

tive for either HIV antibody, HBsAg or anti-HCV, refer the
affected person to the physician for follow-up and coun-
seling within 4 hours for needle-stick injury and 72 hours
for mucous membrane exposure.

f) Evaluate situation by physician

i) Get detailed history from the affected health care

worker.

• Previous risky behaviour.

• Previous HIV test results.

ii) Assess extent of exposure.

iii) Assess source patient.

• History of risky behaviour.

• Previous HIV test results.

• History of drug taking.

• History of taking retroviral drugs.

37
 • Take blood for HIV ELISA test. No consent from
the source patient is necessary because of the
potential risk to the health care worker. However,
inform the patient that the HIV test to be done on
him because an occupational exposure had oc-
curred.

iv) Make prior arrangements with the laboratory in order

to get the results within 2-3 hours to allow the physi-
cian to decide on the need for early prophylaxis.

v) Due to the urgency of the situation, counseling can

be done after the blood is sent off to the laboratory.

g) HIV Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)

If an individual is exposed to HIV, it may still be possible to prevent

infection becoming established by treating immediately with anti-retroviral
drugs. This is known as post-exposure prophylaxis or post-exposure
prevention (PEP).

Among those who might benefit from PEP are:

i) People accidentally exposed to infected blood and body

substances in the workplace (cleaning staff, healthcare work-
ers).

ii) Victims of rape and violence whose assailants are suspected

of being infected.

iii) People who have been potentially exposed because another

prevention method has failed.

Based on the available information, zidovudine remains the first drug of

choice for PEP regimens. There are no data to support directly the
addition of other anti-retroviral drugs to zidovudine to enhance the ef

38
fectiveness of the PEP regimen. Theoretically, however, a combination
of drugs targeting different stages in the viral replication cycle (e.g. NRTIs
with a PI) could offer additional protection, particularly for exposures
associated with a high risk of transmission.

39
Figure 5.1 : Flowchart On Management Of Occupational Expo-
sure
START

OCCUPTIONAL
EXPOSURES

INFORM
IMMEDIATE
SUPERVISOR

POST EXPOSURE
MANAGEMENT

HIGH
RISK? No
Yes

POST EXPOSURE
PROPHYLAXIS &
FOLLOW - UP

END

40
5.2 PEP IN HEALTH CARE WORKERS

5.2.1 Prophylaxis

The decision to offer prophylaxis to the exposed health care depends on

a number of factors:

a) Extent of the exposure

b) Risk of seroconversion

c) Willingness of the health care worker to be treated

d) Willingness of the health care worker to be on regular follow-up

and monitoring

e) Regular counseling should be provided to the health care worker

irrespective of whether he/she is being treated

5.2.2 Drugs

Currently, the choices of antiretroviral agents to be used for prophylaxis

are as follows:

a) Combination drugs: AZT + 3 TC or 2RTIs + 1 PI (+/- 1 NNRTI)

b) USPHS Recommendations:

c) Basic Regime: AZT + Lamivudine (3 TC)

d) Addition: 1 Protease Inhibitor

e) Alternative Regime : Lamivudine + Nevirapin

41
5.2.3 Surveillance and follow-up monitoring:

Follow-up monitoring is essential in all cases of occupational exposures,

whether they are tested positive or negative for HIV. Close surveillance to
check for seroconversion is important. Ongoing and supportive counseling
has to be done on a ‘needs basis’.

5.3 Conclusion

Post-exposure prophylaxis is the ultimate measure to prevent occupational

HIV infection in healthcare workers and should supplement normal training
and precautions for preventing exposures. Although there is lacking in data
to show that exposure to HIV-contaminated blood will lead to seroconversion,
and post-exposure prophylaxis will prevent seroconversion, it is essential
that health care workers be vigilant in their daily work to prevent occupa-
tional exposures. It is also necessary that accurate data be kept when an
occupational exposure has occurred.

42
CHAPTER 6
GUIDELINES FOR THE TRANSPORT AND DISPOSAL OF
DEAD BODIES DUE TO HIV INFECTION / AIDS

6.0 INTRODUCTION

HIV infection / AIDS is transmitted mainly by sexual contact and through

blood and blood products. Therefore it is unlikely that transmission of
HIV infection/AIDS can take place while handling dead bodies of pa-
tients with HIV infection/AIDS. However, persons handling dead bodies
of confirmed or suspected cases should take all possible care to prevent
blood, blood products or body fluids from coming into direct contact with
their skin and mucous membrane. Those with obvious cuts, burns, open
wounds and suffering from immune deficiency states therefore, should
not be assigned to deal with the dead bodies. It is important for all health
care workers to respect the different religious and cultural practices and
traditions concerning the handling of dead bodies.

6.1 INFECTION CONTROL PRECAUTIONS DURING LAST

RITES IN THE HOSPITAL

Dead bodies of HIV / AIDS patients should be handled just like any other
death. However, if there is any oozing of blood / blood products, secre-
tions and excretions of body fluids from the body, broken skin or open
wound, persons involved in doing the last rites should practice Standard
Precautions.

6.1.1 Hospital ward

a) Notify the District Health Officer and the next-of-kin imme-

diately of the death.

b) Only minimal handling of the body is allowed:

43
 c) No packing of orifices.

d) Change clothing only if soiled.

e) Wraps body with mortuary sheet and attach identification

tag.

f) Alert mortuary staff before sending the body to mortuary.

g) Immediately disinfect mortuary cart/stretcher, bed and other

formites that come in contact with the body/body fluids
with sodium hypochlorite.

h) For death in the hospital, it is advisable to do the last rites

in the hospital mortuary for infection control reasons.

6.1.2 In the Mortuary

a) The number of persons involved in handling the dead body

should be minimized.

b) Remove all clothing worn by the deceased and soak in

sodium hypochlorite for 20 minutes.

c) If there is no oozing from the body, it should be handled

according to standard last office rites.

d) If there is oozing from the body, handle as follows:

Wash the body with sodium hypochlorite and then fol-

lowed by rites of the respective religions. The washing is
to be done by representatives of the religious department/
relatives under direct supervision of the health personnel.

e) Carry out cleaning of the oral cavity or other orifices with

the use of a sponge holding forceps.

44
 f) Pack all orifices with cotton wool soaked in sodium hy-
pochlorite.

g) Wrap the body in cloth soaked in sodium hypochlorite

and followed by a layer of plastic.

h) In the case of a Muslim, use white cloth and further wrap

the body twice in white cloth and followed by a layer of
plastic.

i) Disinfect the preparation area and any items that are con-
taminated or could possibly be contaminated with body
fluids with sodium hypochlorite.

j) If necessary, post mortem of HIV/AIDS patients is allowed

as long as the pathologist and his/her assistants practice
Standard Precautions including the use of masks and eye
goggles/face shields to protect the dispersal of bone frag-
ments.

k) Embalming HIV/AIDS dead bodies should not be encour-

aged as it poses danger to the person doing it.

2.2 DEATH IN THE HOUSE

a) The family of the patient would have been advised to inform

the District Health Officer immediately of the death and
the nature of the disease. This can be done directly or
through the nearest Police Station or Penghulu.

b) Subsequent disinfection of the body and clothing should

be supervised by the Health Inspector / Nurse.

c) A minimum number of people should be involved with the

preparation of the body. It is recommended that not more
than 4 people are involved, preferable close relatives.

45
 d) Health care workers or those who handles the body must
make sure that they do not have any cut / open wound. If
there is any, they must cover it with waterproof plaster.

e) The body is similarly disinfected first with sodium

hypochlorite and then wrapped as in para 6.1.2 (d).

f) Water from the washing of the body should be disinfected

with chloride of lime.

g) The patient’s clothing, bed, linen, preparation area and

areas possibly contaminated by the body fluids should
also be disinfected with sodium hypochlorite.

h) The body could then be buried or cremated according to

the respective religious practice within 24 hours.

6.3 TRANSPORT OF A DEAD BODY INTO / OUT OF THE COUN-

TRY

a) The legal requirements for the transport into/out of the

country of corpses, human remains or bones other than
cremated ashes is the same as for other infectious dis-
ease. The necessary documents required are the death
certificate, embalming certificate, and certificate of im-
port / export or transport.

b) After the body had been embalmed, the body should then
be put in a coffin with an inner lining of translucent
polythene of sufficient thickness e.g. 0.26 mm thick and
sealed.

c) The coffin is then placed in a container made of aluminium

and sealed.

d) The outer container for covering or disguising the con-

tents should be of wood or metal that must be of suffi-
ciently solid construction to withstand load stresses.

46
 REFERENCES

1. CDC; 1998; Public Health Service Guidelines For The Manage-

ment Of Health Care Worker Exposures To HIV And Recommen-
dations For Postexposure Prophylaxis; Morbidity And Mortality
Weekly Report 47 (RR-7) : 1 – 28.

2. Garner, J.S.; 1996; Guideline For Isolation Precautions In Hospi-

tals; Infection Control And Hospital Epidemiology; 17 : 53 – 80;
Atlanta, USA.

3. Jabatan Kesihatan Negeri Selangor; 1996; Panduan Pengurusan

Jenazah Orang Islam Dijangkiti Oleh Penyakit HIV / AIDS; Kuala
Lumpur.

4. Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia; 1995; Universal Infection Con-

trol Precautions, AIDS Series 6; Kuala Lumpur.

5. Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia; 2000; Kaunseling HIV/AIDS ,

Teks Rujukan; Jilid 1; Kuala Lumpur.

6. Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia; 1997; Garispanduan

Pengendalian Jenazah Islam Dari Aspek Kesihatan; Kuala Lumpur.

7. Ministry Of Health; 2001; Reference Text For HIV / AIDS Counsel-

lors; 2nd Edition; Kuala Lumpur.

8. Rhinehart, E.; 2001; Infection Control In Home Care; Emerging In-

fectious Diseases; Vol. 7 (2); Atlanta, USA.

9. University Malaya Medical Center, 1999; Standard Precaution; Kuala

Lumpur.

47