PERITONITIS
PREVENTION
Baxter
Germ Warfare!!!
1.2 Continuing Education Units
YOU
are the
first
line
of
defense in
preventing infections!!
What is a GERM?
Germ,
1. any microorganism,
especially one that
causes disease.
Excerpted from Mosby's
Medical Encyclopedia (c)
1997
Mosby's Medical Encyclopedia (c) 1997
3 Areas where germs are more
likely to enter the peritoneum
 The
end of your transfer set
 Around catheter exit site
 The connection between the tubing and
the bag of dialysate
What is Aseptic Technique?
aseptic technique,
1. any health-care
procedure in which
added precautions
are used to prevent
contamination of a
person, object, or
area.
Mosby's Medical Encyclopedia (c) 1997
What is Infection?
infection,
1. the invasion of the body by
germs that reproduce and
multiply, causing disease by
local cell injury, release of
poisons, or germ-antibody
reaction in the cells.
2. a disease caused by the
invasion of the body by
germs.
Mosby's Medical Encyclopedia (c) 1997
Germs live on skin, especially
between
fingers and under nails
You won’t be
able to see
these germs
Good
handwashing
can
prevent
infections
The Problem with One Germ
is that it becomes A LOT of
germs!!
In 15 minutes 1 germ divides into 2
A
single germ
can turn
into over
a million
in just
5 hours!!
In 30 minutes 2 germs divide into 4
In 45 minutes 4 germs divide into 8
In 60 minutes 8 germs divide into 16
In 75 minutes 16 germs divide into 32
In 90 minutes 32 germs divide into 64
In 105 minutes 64 germs divide into 128
In 120 minutes 128 germs divide into 256
In 135 minutes 256 germs divide into 512
In 150 minutes 512 germs divide into 1024
In 165 minutes 1024 germs divide into 2048
In 180 minutes 2048 germs divide into 4096
In 195 minutes 4096 germs divide into 8192
In 210 minutes 8192 germs divide into 16384
In 225 minutes 16384 germs divide into 32768
In 240 minutes 32768 germs divide into 65536
In 255 minutes 65536 germs divide into 131072
In 270 minutes 131072 germs divide into 262144
In 285 minutes 262144 germs divide into 524288
In 300 minutes 524288 germs divide
into 1048576!!
Wash your
hands before
every exchange
and before
touching your
catheter or
supplies
Good
handwashing
takes one to
two minutes
each time
Anti-microbial soap, water
and a lot of friction
Anti-microbial soap should
be liquid in a pump dispenser
Dry hands completely with
a paper towel after
washing them
Do NOT touch anything
after you wash
and rinse
your
hands
Do
NOT
contaminate
your
dialysis
equipment
Masks are a barrier between
airborne germs and your
connections
SO, WEAR MASKS!!
To prevent infection, it is important
to:
Do your exchanges exactly as you’re
taught every time. Be careful not to sneeze
on sterile supplies or touch sterile parts.
 Keep yourself clean
 Do your exchanges in a clean and quiet
area
 Avoid constipation

Dentist visits
or
GI Procedures
Notify your
Nephrologist and PD
Nurse if you are
scheduled to see
the Dentist, Dental
Hygienist, or a
Gastro-enterologist
Keane p.567
Signs and Symptoms
of Peritonitis Infection
Cloudy
fluid
Fever
Abdominal
Fibrin
pain
Signs and Symptoms
of Catheter Infection





Fever
Redness or pain at exit site
or along tunnel
Drainage of pus from around
the catheter
Abdominal pain, nausea and
vomiting
Extrusion of catheter cuff
Peritoneal Catheters
are
most commonly
infected by
skin
hands
cough/sneeze
Keep your exit site
clean and
healthy
Catheters must be
immobilized
ACTIVITIES HARMFUL TO THE EXIT SITE
Tension & Tugging
Dirt
Powder
Scratching
Submersion in water
Non-prescribed
ointment/ cream
Avoid the following:
Irritation from clothing
Crust
Alcohol
Baxter Ind. Pvt. Ltd
Thanks