2 2
O U T P AT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5
I D E A S T H A T W O R K
H
ere's a simple
way to identify
patients who
require contact precau-
tions or contact-plus pre-
cautions. Fit them with a
green bouffant instead of
a light blue one in pre-op.
This easy-to-distinguish
visual cue quickly identi-
fies the need for verbal
clarification, isolation,
gowning and gloving, or
other precautions before
the staff member begins
treatment, keeping patients and staff safe from cross-contamination
risks. We're pretty good about communicating special infection pre-
vention precautions, but despite our best efforts, not every staff mem-
ber who encounters the patient in the OR or PACU has access to the
chart or gets a verbal report detailing those precautions.
Terry Anderson, RN, BSN, and Penny Baird, RN, BSN
University of Utah Health Care
Salt Lake City, Utah
terry.anderson@hsc.utah.edu
S A F E T Y S I G N A L
Color-Coded Caps Communicate Caution
z GREEN MEANS KNOW Patients under special
infection precautions wear green bouffant hats.
