Developmentally appropriate safe toys that can be easily cleaned (plastic or nonporous) are provided to children in the acute care and outpatient settings to be used for play activities and for therapeutic play (Chart 101-1).

Stuffed furry toys are not permitted. If a child must have a stuffed toy, it is labeled with the child’s name, used only by that child, and sent home or discarded at discharge. Stuffed toys located in common areas such as waiting rooms and family rooms used as decorations or attached to flowers or balloons are not permitted.

Toys taken into isolation remain with the child throughout the hospitalization.

Infants and young children do not share toys because of the risk for sharing germs after toys are put in their mouths.

All toys in the clinical facility have property labels. Such labels designate the toy as belonging to a specific child or the property of the clinical facility.

When a toy requires cleaning and disinfection, do so immediately or store in a designated labeled container, separate from toys that are clean and ready for use.

Communal toys in the inpatient or outpatient setting are cleaned weekly and when visibly soiled.

Toys used for testing are cleaned after each use.

Toys used in isolation must be disinfected with hospital-approved disinfectant before return to a central storage area.

Items that cannot be cleaned with hospital-approved disinfectant, alcohol, or soap and water must be discarded.

No special precautions are needed for cleaning magazines or books. If these items are visibly soiled, they should be discarded.

Large stationary toys and equipment (i.e., climbing stairs, ball hoops) should be cleaned weekly or more frequently if soiled.

Store the toys in an area that is easily accessible to staff. Toys should not be stored so that they directly contact the floor; rather, use storage baskets and bins to place toys in areas out of reach of children.