2. Safety and Infection Control
CHAPTER 4
Safety and Infection Control

3. Discussion What is an infection?
the invasion of body tissues by microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites
What is involved in maintaining safe conditions in a healthcare facility?
avoiding danger, risks, injury, and infection for patients, healthcare workers, and visitors

4. Safety
Safety is the condition of being protected from danger or injury
You will need to learn and practice safety regulations for the facility where you work
Regulations are usually spelled out in the facility’s safety manual
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5. General Safety Rules Certain rules are included in all safety manuals
Examples:
Always hold handrails when using stairs
Never run in a hallway
Do not prop open fire safety doors
Store items in a safe manner
Obey evacuation routes posted in the facility
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6. Hospital Emergency Codes
Hospital emergency codes alert healthcare workers to urgent situations
These codes convey information without causing panic
Examples of codes
Code Red—fire in the facility
Code Blue—cardiac arrest
Code Pink—child abduction
Code Black—bomb threat
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7. Thinking Further
A disaster is any sudden event that brings great damage, loss, or destruction. What are some types of disasters that individuals in the healthcare profession must be prepared for?
Terrorism
Catastrophic accidents
Earthquakes
Explosions
Fires
Tornadoes
Hurricanes
Gun violence

8. Safety in the Science Laboratory
There are significant safety risks in the science laboratory
Always adhere to safety guidelines
Examples:
Obey all the rules posted in the lab
Be aware of all safety symbols in the lab
Wear protective safety equipment as needed
Familiarize yourself with the location and operation of safety equipment
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9. Patient Safety Some patient safety guidelines are universal Examples:
Always identify the patient first
Explain the entire procedure and make sure you have the patient’s consent
Never perform a procedure for which you are not trained
Observe the patient carefully for any changes in condition or status
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10. Incident Reports
An incident is any event that is not a part of routine operations
Incident reports should be used to document both safety- and non-safety-related occurrences
An incident report must be filled out accurately, completely, and immediately after the incident
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11. Employee Safety
It is important to maintain employee safety as well as patient safety
The OSHA Hazard Communication Standard requires employers to educate employees about chemical hazards in the workplace
Material safety data sheets (MSDS) should accompany every chemical used in a healthcare facility
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12. Thinking Further
What information does a material safety data sheet (MSDS) contain?
A chemical’s makeup
A chemical’s dilution
A chemical’s mixture concentration
Instructions for use
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13. Electrical Safety
Failure to observe electrical safety can result in burns, severe skin damage, unconsciousness, or even death
Do not overload any electrical plugs or outlets
Follow all electrical safety regulations in a facility’s manual
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14. Radiation Safety
Radiation exposure can occur near any machine that uses radiation
Factors involved in the degree of exposure
Amount of radiation
Duration of exposure
Distance from the source
Type of shielding used
ALARA principle: As Low As Reasonably Achievable
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15. Fire Safety
Fire can occur where the three elements of the fire triangle are present
Fuel
Heat
Oxygen
Follow the facility’s evacuation routes and emergency plans
RACE: Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish
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16. Thinking Further
What are the five types of fire extinguishers? What does each one contain? What is each one used for?
Type A: pressurized water
For ordinary combustibles
Type B: carbon dioxide
For flammable liquids
Type C: dry chemical
For electrical equipment
Type D: class D dry chemical
For combustible metals
Type E: multi-purpose dry chemical
For ordinary combustibles, flammable liquids, and electrical and equipment fires

17. Body Mechanics
Body mechanics relate to the proper use of body movements to prevent injury
Ergonomic practices seek to maximize efficiency and prevent discomfort or injury
Follow ergonomic practices when sitting, standing, reaching, and lifting
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18. Quality Improvement and Safety
Quality improvement (QI) involves monitoring and evaluating services for the purpose of making them better
Safety criteria are a major part of quality improvement
Several government agencies are involved in protecting health and safety
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19. Infection Control
Healthcare facilities strive to prevent the spread of microorganisms that can cause infectious disease
Microorganisms include bacteria, viruses, and fungi
People who have compromised immune systems are more susceptible to infections
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20. Bacteria
Small, one-celled microorganisms that cannot be seen by the naked eye; can be pathogenic
Bacteria can cause major illness in our bodies
Bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics
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21. Thinking Further Myth or Fact?
Some bacteria are resistant to most antibiotics.
FACT
Fact: Resistance can develop if patients do not take all of their prescribed antibiotics, antibiotics are prescribed when not needed, or genetic mutation of bacteria has occurred.

22. Viruses Viruses depend on a living cell to survive
They cannot reproduce on their own
Antibiotics do not kill viruses
Vaccines have been developed against many viral diseases
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23. Other Pathogens
Some fungi can cause disease, including athlete’s foot and certain lung diseases
Protozoa can cause amoebic dysentery, trichomoniasis, and malaria
Rickettsiae are parasites that can cause diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and types of typhus
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24. The Chain of Infection
Reservoir or Host
Portal of Exit
Mode of Transmission
Portal of Entry
Susceptible Host
The chain of infection illustrates the sequence of events that allows infection to invade the body
Modes of transmission include direct contact, indirect contact, and vectors
Hospital-acquired infections are called nosocomial infections
Several methods are used to break the chain of infection

25. Critical Thinking
What are two ways that healthcare workers can help prevent the spread of infectious diseases?
Healthcare workers can practice good hygiene, including frequent and proper hand washing.
Hospital employees and healthcare workers can avoid coming to work when they are sick with a contagious disease.

26. Hand Hygiene
Hand hygiene is the single most important way to prevent the spread of infection
The CDC has issued hand hygiene guidelines for healthcare workers
It takes at least 20 seconds to wash your hands properly
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27. Cleaning the Healthcare Facility
Medical asepsis versus surgical asepsis
Three levels of cleaning take place in healthcare facilities to prevent the spread of pathogens
Sanitization
Disinfection
Sterilization
To kill all microorganisms on a surface, the surface must be sterilized
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28. Thinking Further Myth or Fact?
Using a warm air hand dryer after washing your hands is more hygienic than drying your hands with a paper towel.
MYTH
Fact: Using paper towels greatly decreases the amount of bacteria on the hands.
Fact: Warm air dryers can increase the amount of bacteria on the hands.

29. Preventing the Spread of Bloodborne Pathogens
OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard
Several body fluids or elements can transmit harmful pathogens
Blood
Semen and vaginal secretions
Amniotic fluid
Human tissue
For safety, healthcare workers should always proceed as if these substances are infectious
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30. Patient Isolation
Isolation separates patients with certain infections from other patients
Isolation rooms may be used
Protective gloves, gowns, masks, and face shields serve as barriers against infection
Healthcare facilities use two levels of isolation practices
Standard precautions
Transmission-based precautions
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31. Thinking Further
What are the three types of transmission-based precautions used with patients who have highly transmissible infections?
Airborne precautions—protect against small airborne droplets or dust particles containing microorganisms
Droplet precautions—protect against large droplet transmission, as in coughing or sneezing
Contact precautions—protect against the spread of microorganisms through direct or indirect contact

32. Personal Protective Equipment
OSHA requires that all workers be provided with the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
PPE protects workers from serious workplace injuries or illnesses resulting from contact with various hazards
This equipment can include face shields, safety glasses, goggles, gowns, gloves, and face masks
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33. Needlesticks and Other Sharps-Related Injuries
Needlesticks and other accidental punctures of the skin can spread infection
Sharp objects and biohazard wastes must be disposed of properly
The Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act requires employers to identify, evaluate, and introduce safer medical devices to avoid needlesticks
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34. Protocol for Disposal of Hazardous Materials
Hospitals are required to have hazardous-materials and waste-management plans or protocols
Facilities must train personnel who come into contact with hazardous materials and waste
Proper emergency procedures must be in place
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35. Recycling and Waste Reduction
Most of the waste from a healthcare facility is nonhazardous
Recycling procedures should be used when disposing of nonhazardous materials
Efforts should be made to purchase products made from recycled materials
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36. Critical Thinking
What are some examples of materials from hospital waste that could be recycled?
Paper waste is recyclable and includes cardboard, high-grade office paper, newspaper, and mixed paper.
Other recyclable materials include plastics, food waste, and disposable linens.