Safety and Healthcare Precautions Kari Slade, BS Health Science, MA Public Health Roosevelt High School Health Careers Program, Minnesota

Competency 2 2. Explain the current requirements of standard precautions and the procedures used at a variety of healthcare facilities to support those standards.

Standard Precautions Standard precautions are designed for preventing the transmission of blood-borne diseases when first aid or health care is provided. The Precautions include specific recommendations for use of gloves, gowns, masks, and protective eyewear when contact with blood or body secretions containing blood is anticipated. The goal of these techniques is to prevent the spread of communicable diseases in healthcare facilities and microorganisms among patients, personnel and visitors.  

These precautions are: Hand decontamination Personal protective equipment (PPE) Safe handling and disposal of sharps Safe disposal of clinical waste Safe handling of contaminated linen Correct dealing with spillages of blood and body fluids

Transmission-based precautions Transmission-based precautions are designed to supplement standard precautions in patients documented or suspected to be infected. There are three types of transmission-based precautions: Airborne: generated when talking, coughing or sneezing and during procedures involving the respiratory tract

Contact: requires direct or indirect contact Droplets: requires close contact between the infected source and the recipient  Contact: requires direct or indirect contact (Skin infection)

OHSA Blood borne Pathogens Standards Are a set of precautions designed to prevent transmission of HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), and other blood borne pathogens when providing first aid or health care. Under universal precautions, blood and certain body fluids of all patients are considered potentially infectious for HIV, HBV and other blood borne pathogens.

Precautions include: blood bodily fluids containing visible blood semen vaginal fluid cerebrospinal needles, scalpels and other sharp instruments

PPE: Personal Protective Equipment Personal protective equipment (PPE) Is used by healthcare providers to protect themselves from injury or infection. PPE is any type of face mask, glove, or clothing that acts as a barrier between infectious materials and the skin, mouth, nose, or eyes. When used properly, personal protective equipment can help prevent the spread of infection from one person to another.

Exposure Control Plan Employers are required to develop and make available an exposure control plan (ECP). The plan is in place to protect employees from health hazards associated with Bloodborne pathogens and provide appropriate treatment and counseling if an exposure incident occurs. Know where your exposure control plan is located and what it includes. The exposure control plan includes detailed information about ways your employer provides a safe and healthful work environment, including: Who is responsible for implementing the plan Determination of employee exposure

Exposure Control Plan Methods of exposure control such as Universal Precautions, engineering and work practice controls, personal protective equipment (PPE), and housekeeping Hepatitis B vaccination Post exposure evaluation and follow-up as well as the procedures for evaluating the circumstances surrounding an exposure incident Communication of hazards to employees Training and recordkeeping Employers are required to implement a variety of preventive measures to reduce or eliminate the risk of exposure to blood borne pathogens, including Universal Precautions, work practice controls, PPE, engineering controls, and vaccination.

Chain of Infection Ways to break the chain: Hand washing Gloves Gown Eye and face protection Environmental controls Change linens Application of standard precautions Aseptic practices Disinfectants Sterilization methods

Common Pathogens in healthcare facilities: Hepatitis B and C HIV Tuberculosis Flue Pneumonia

RACE What is RACE? Remove patients Activate alarm/ alert all staff Contain fire/ confine fire Extinguish fire or evacuate area RACE method is used for fire emergencies in a healthcare facility. RACE gives all the steps you need to put in action when a fire occurs in your workplace.

PASS Methods What is PASS? Pull the pin Aim the nozzle at base of fire Squeeze the handle Sweep back and forth along the base of fire PASS gives you the exact steps to take when using a fire extinguisher. PASS is used after RACE.

Common safety precautions Moving safely: Moving unsafely easily gives mistakes a chance to happen. A first instinct during an emergency maybe to run or move fast.......MISTAKE!!! Running or moving fast may cause a fall or other injuries. Dressing safely: Dressing safely insures containment of viruses or diseases. Dressing safely also ensures the patient is going to get good care.

Common safety precautions Protecting yourself and others: Wearing gloves and practicing hand washing can protect you from various viruses or diseases. The way you can protect your patient is by following standard precautions. Reporting for safety: Being aware of your surroundings can help save someone's life. When you notice any unsafe conditions, you must report it. Example: if you see a burnt out exit sign, report it. If there is an emergency and patients can’t see the sign, they may not know a way out.

Knowing your ABC’s In case of an emergency, you must remember your ABC’s: A—Airway: When most people suddenly become unconscious, their tongue will become extremely relaxed and settle back into their throat and block air flow to the lungs. Knowing how to simply reposition the victim’s head may correct this life threatening problem.

Knowing your ABC’s B—Breathing: Falls, electrocution, near- drowning, and choking can cause a person to stop breathing. If not corrected immediately, the heart will also stop beating soon after breathing stops. Providing temporary rescue breathing can keep the blood oxygenated and the heart pumping.

Knowing your ABC’s C—Circulation: Circulation is the flow of blood throughout the body. If the body’s cells do not receive adequate blood flow, the body will soon shut down. This can be the result of a heart attack, large amount of blood loss from an injury, or drug overdose. CPR can maintain blood circulation when the heart stops beating, until a defibrillator and advanced help arrives. Remembering the ABC’s can help you be prepared for an unexpected emergency.

Questions?