The following policy and procedures are implemented to prevent transmission of conjunctivitis within the Wilmer Institute and are intended to prevent the spread of infection to patients and personnel in the institute. Condition Yellow is one caution which specifies infection control measures for the baseline, non-epidemic occurrence of conjunctivitis. Condition Red is a situation in which the institute is on full alert during a suspected outbreak of viral conjunctivitis or keratoconjunctivitis. In this setting, patients are regularly presenting themselves to the Institute for evaluation of conjunctivitis and the likelihood of transmitting viral conjunctivitis to other non-infected individuals is extremely high.
Hands are to be dried with clean paper towels.
Instruments may transmit adenovirus and other possible agents. At day three, they should undergo a repeat evaluation. If symptoms of viral conjunctivitis or positive culture for adenovirus continue, employees will be relieved from duty for 2 weeks. A healthcare worker will screen all patients as they register. Hands are to be dried with clean paper towels.