Cystic Fibrosis Infection Control Guidelines
Please note that all Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) guidelines currently stipulate that all people must wear a mask when in a public space and that all shared spaces as outlined below are currently closed. Patients who are admitted to hospital are not required to wear a mask whilst they are in their room. Our guidelines will continue to change to match those of the DHHS.
Germs and Cystic Fibrosis
Germs are tiny organisms that can cause infection. They exist everywhere; in the air, soil, water, food, plants and animals. People with CF are at greater risk of getting lung infections from germs as thick, sticky mucus builds up in their lungs, allowing germs to thrive and multiply.
There are 3 types of germs; bacteria, viruses and yeasts/moulds. While not all are harmful, some can be for people living with CF.
Germs are spread through;
- Direct contact from one person to another when people shake hands, kiss or hug.
- Indirect contact when people touch something with germs already on it like a doorknob, pen or cup then touch their eyes, nose or mouth.
- Germs can be spread from person to person through the air when people cough or sneeze. These can travel as far as 2 metres and in some circumstances can float in the air for an hour.
Infection control during inpatient admissions
- When you are inside the hospital, you should always wear a mask when outside your room. Masks are effective until damp/soiled or for up to 4 hours (whichever happens first).
- Nurses, health professionals, cleaners and food service staff must wear a gown and gloves when entering your room. They do not need to wear a mask.
- You will be admitted to a single room on the ward.
- Clean your hands regularly. Use soap and water or alcohol based hand rub; before entering and leaving your room, after coughing and sneezing, before and after physiotherapy, touching shared objects and after lung function test.
Infection control during outpatient appointments
- To reduce risk of cross infection, all people living with CF should wear a mask when entering Monash Health buildings. The mask can be removed once in a clinic room or whilst doing lung function.
- A mask will be provided to you on entry to the hospital. We will also have masks ready for you at Monash Lung and Sleep reception if required during the course of your appointment.
- Clean your hands regularly. Use soap and water or alcohol based hand rub: before entering and leaving a clinic room, after coughing and sneezing, touching shared objects and after lung function tests. Our staff will also be cleaning their hands frequently.
- Keep a 2 metre distance from other people with CF and anyone who is coughing/sniffing/looks generally unwell while you wait for your appointment.
- Replace your mask after 4 hours or when it has become wet. Pack a few spares before you come to see us.
- Get vaccinated. Vaccinations help protect yourself from germs like the flu virus which can be dangerous for people with CF. For more information on vaccinations, talk to us in clinic.
- Staff members will wear a gown and gloves for all encounters. They will also wipe down all surfaces between patients.
Monash Health Cystic Fibrosis cohorts
At Monash CF you will be allocated to a colour or cohort based on your sputum results as shown below:
- Blue: Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Normal flora
- Green: Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Purple: Burkholderia cepacia, Mycobacterium abcessus, Methycillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
As much as we are able, we try to limit the likelihood of people with CF from different cohorts being in common clinic spaces at the same time. There are some minor differences in infection control requirements between cohorts- adults with CF in the purple cohort will have their appointments in locations outside Monash Lung and Sleep and will be admitted to wards other than Ward 32.