How to Fill Hospital Isolation Water Pitchers

Isolation rooms are becoming more common in hospitals as community-acquired incidents of MRSA increase. An infection resistant to most antibiotics, MRSA is most often spread by contact, and the bacteria can live on surfaces such as tables and water pitchers.The challenge is to keep contaminated equipment inside the room and practice aseptic technique when outside equipment must be used. One common dilemma is how to fill an ice pitcher that must remain inside the room without bringing in uncontaminated equipment. Sometimes a complicated task can be accomplished by the simplest of means.

Things You'll Need

• Water pitcher
• Ice
• Water
• Plastic bag
• Designated protective equipment

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Instructions

• 1

  Fill a plastic bag with ice water, ensuring there are no leaks.

• 2

  Return to the isolation room, and don the appropriate protective equipment. This is usually an isolation gown and gloves but may include a mask.

• 3

  Once inside the room, fill the patient's water pitcher from the plastic bag. Be sure to leave the water pitcher within reach of the patient before leaving the room.

• 4

  Throw the bag into the designated waste receptacle for that particular room to avoid outside contamination.

• 5

  At the doorway, remove the protective gear and wash your hands or use sanitizing gel.