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D. All visiting animals should be restricted from entering the following
clinical areas at all times, in addition to nonclinical areas outlined
below in the Service Animals section:
1. Intensive care units; isolation rooms, neonatal and newborn nurseries, areas of
patient treatment where the nature of the treatment (eg, resulting in pain for the
patient) may cause the animal distress, and other areas identified specifically by the
healthcare facility (eg, rooms of immunocompromised patients).
E. Require the handler to prevent the animal from coming into contact
with sites of invasive devices, open or bandaged wounds, surgical
incisions, or other breaches in the skin, or medical equipment.
F. If the patient or agent requests that an animal be placed on the bed,
require that the handler do the following:
1. Check for visible soiling of bed linens first.
2. Place a disposable, impermeable barrier between the animal and the bed. Throw
the barrier away after each animal visit.
3. If a disposable barrier is not available, a pillowcase, towel, or extra bed sheet can be
used. Place such an item in the laundry immediately after use and never use it for
multiple patients.
G. Instruct the handler to discourage patients and HCP from shaking the
animal's paw. If the dog is trained to shake hands with a patient and
this contact is allowed by facility, ensure that the patient performs hand
hygiene before and after shaking the animal's paw.
H. Require the handler to prevent the animal from licking patients and
HCP.
I. Prohibit feeding of treats to animals by HCP. However, if the act is
believed to have a significant therapeutic benefit for a particular
patient, then require that the handler:
1. Ensure that the animal has been trained to take treats gently.
2. Provide the patient with appropriate treats to give, avoiding unsterilized bones,
rawhides and pig ears, and other dehydrated and unsterilized foods or chews of
animal origin.
3. Ensure that the patient practices hand hygiene before and after presenting the treat
to the animal.
4. Instruct the patient to present the treat with a flattened palm.
