Principles of Healthcare: Vital signs, 15, 16

Define asepsis

Absence of disease-producing microorganisms

Define sterile

Free of all organisms, both pathogenic and non-pathogenic

Define contamination

Any object or area that may contain pathogens

Antisepsis

Prevent or inhibit growth of pathogens, can be used on skin

Disinfection

Destroys or kills pathogens, used mainly on objects

Sterilization

Destroys all microorganisms, including spores and viruses, use of steam under pressure, gas, radiation, and chemicals on objects

Define bioterrorism

The use of microorganisms from a biologic agent used as weapons to infect humans, plants, or animals

The nation’s health protection agency is called:

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The CDC as identified and classified major bioterrorism threats. List them:

• Smallpox

• Anthrax

• Plague

• Botulism

• Tularemia

• Hemorrhagic Fever

Infection

A disease state resulting from the invasion and growth of microorganisms in the body

Two types of infections in the human body

• Local infections

• Systemic infections

Symptoms of infection

• Fever

• Increase pulse and respirations

• Pain and tenderness at the site of infection

• Fatigue

• Loss of appetite

• Nausea and vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Rash or sore

• Redness and swelling at the site of infection

• Discharge or drainage from infected are

Body’s first external line of defense

The skin

Body’s first internal line of defense

White blood cells

List the risk factors for infection

• Poor nutrition

• Poor personal hygiene

• Dehydration

• Other disease

• HIV infection

• Stress

• Fatigue

The single most important preventative measure for infection control

Handwashing

Handwashing should be at least __ seconds

20

Alcohol hand sanitizer should be at least ___ seconds

10 to 20

List the WHO 5 Moments of Hand Hygiene

• Before resident contact

• Before in aseptic task

• After exposure to blood and body fluids

• After resident contact

• After contact with resident surroundings

List another eight items you need to wash your hands

• Before and after a work shift

• Before and after eating, drinking, or smoking

• Before and after using the bathroom

• After coughing, sneezing, blowing the nose, or touching face and hair

• Before touching clean equipment or linen

• After exposure to contaminated equipment, soiled linen, or resident surroundings

• Before passing meal trays or snacks

List two things that can harbor bacteria on the hands

• Long fingernails, chipped polish, acrylics

• Jewlery

List three kinds of PPE

• Gloves

• Gowns

• Masks, goggles, eye shields

True or False: Standard precautions are used with all patients since you do not know who has an infection

True

List three types of transmission-based precautions

• Airborne

• Droplet

• Contact

True or False: Patients in isolation should be assessed for depression

True

Four main reasons for using good body mechanics

• Muscles work best when used correctly

• The correct use of muscles makes lifting, pulling, and pushing easier

• The correct application of body mechanics prevents unnecessary fatigue and strain and saves energy

• The correct application of body mechanics prevents injury to self and others

What is the number one reason for workplace injuries?

Back injuries

8 basic rules for good body mechanics

• Maintain a broad base of support by keeping the feet 8 to 10 inches apart

• Bend from the hips and knees

• Use the strongest muscles to do the job

• Use the weight of your body to help push or pull an object

• Carry heavy objects close to the body

• Avoid twisting your body as you work

• Avoid bending for long periods

• If the the patient or object it too heavy for you to lift alone, always get help

List examples of blood and body fluids

• Blood and blood components

• Urine

• Stool

• Semen

• Vaginal secretions

• Cerebrospinal fluid

• Saliva

• Mycys

Define ergonomic

an applied science used to promote the safety and well-being of the person by adapting the environment in using techniques tor prevent injuries

List 4 things included in ergonomics

• Proper placement of furniture and equipment

• Training in required muscle movements

• Avoiding repetitive motions

• Being aware of the environment to prevent injuries

When should a healthcare worker be aware of safety concerns?

At all times

Examples of environmental safety concerns

• Burned out light bulbs

• Frayed electrical cords

• Scalding water in the sink or bath area

• Missing floor tiles or torn carpet

List some safety concerns in healthcare

• Do not use equipment until you have been trained on how to use it

• Read and follow operating instructions for major pieces of equipment. If you don’t understand ask for assistance

• Do not operate equipment if your instructor is not in the room

• Report any damaged equipment immediately

• Do not use damaged electrical cords

• Never handle electrical equipment with wet hands or around water

• Store all equipment with the proper place

• Never use solutions from bottles that are not labeled

• Avoid contact with solutions with your eyes and skin. Avoid inhaling any fumes.

• Dispose of chemical solutions according to the instructions on the safety data sheets for solution

Safety considerations for patients/residents

• Do not perform any procedure on patients unless you have been instructed and trained to do so

• Provide privacy for all patients

• Be absolutely positive that you have the correct patient

• Ask the patient to state his or her name

• Always explain the procedure so the patient knows what you’re going to do

• Never perform a procedure if the patient refuses to allow you to do so

• Observe the patient closely during any procedure, if you notice an change, immediately report this

• Make sure the patient is in a comfortable position

• Place the call light/call signal within the patients reach

List some personal safety considerations

• Use correct body mechanics

• Wear the proper personal protective equipment

• Walk do not run in the healthcare areas

• Promptly report any personal injury or accident no matter how minor

• Report unsafe situations or practices

• Keep all areas eat and clean

• Use proper hand hygiene

• Wear safety glasses or googles as needed

Three things needed to start a fire

• Fuel

• Heat

• Oxygen

Name the order in which you would move patients during a fire

• Ambulatory

• Those who need assistance

• Those who are totally dependent

List some considerations in the event of a fire in a facility

• Never use an elevator in the event of a fire

• If clothing catches of fire, stop, drop, and roll to smother the flames

• Stay calm, listen, carefully, and follow the instructions of the supervisor or charge nurse during an emergency

The acronym RACE-F stands for what

• Remove any residents from the area of immediate danger

• Activate the fire alarm

• Contain the fire alarm

• Extinguish the fire, if it is safe to do so, Evacuate if instructed to do so

• Follow facility procedure regarding further action

The acronym RACE-F stands for what

• Remove any residents from the area of immediate danger

• Activate the fire alarm

• Contain the fire by closing doors and windows

• Sweep the nozzle back and forth at the base of the fire

List 5 types of fire extinguishers

• A-used for fires involving paper, wood, or cloth

• B-used for or or grease fires, flammable liquids, kitchen area

• C-electrical

• ABC- can be used for any type of fire (throughout the residents area)

• D-combustible metals

List some fire prevention considerations

• Oxygen is flammable. Never permit smoking in areas where oxygen is use or stored

• Restrict smoking to authorized areas

• Be sure ashtrays are cool before they are emptied

• Turn off electrical equipment before unplugging it

• Don’t use equipment with frayed electrical cords or overload circuits

• Don’t use aerosol sprays near open flames or cigarettes

• Monitor the accumulation of paper in resident rooms and workares

• Never lock or block exit doors and be sure all doors open easily

Name three reasons why it is important to understand infection control measures

• Essential for all healthcare workers

• Provide a basic knowledge of how disease is transmitted

• Main emphasis on prevention of disease transmission

Name 3 characteristics of a microbe/pathogen

• Small living organism

• Not visible to the naked eye

• Found everywhere in the environment and on and in the human body

Define a nonpathogen

Beneficial to body processes

Define a pathogen

cause infections and diseases

Characteristics of bacteria

Simple, one-celled organism, Multiply rapidly, classified by shape and arrangement

True or False: Antibiotics are used to kill bacteria

True

List three types of multidrug-resistant bacteria

• MRSA

• VRE

• MRAB

• CRE

Protozoa

One-celled, animal like organism, found in decayed materials and contaminated water

Fungi

Simple, plantlike organism-live on dead organisms, yeast and molds can be pathogenic, antibiotics don’t kill, antifungal meds do

Rickettsia

• Parasite that cannot live outside the cells of another living thing

• Organisms transmitted to humans by bite

Which pathogens are the smallest

Viruses

Hepatitis B transmitted

By blood serum and body secretions

Hepatitis C transmission

Blood/blood-containing body fluids

Hepatitis A transmitted

By putting something contaminated with feces of an infected person in the mouth

HIV transmission

• Through the exchange of bodily fluids

Name a type of helminth

Multicellular parasite, worms or flukes, transmitted by eating contaminated food and being bitten

Endogenous disease

Disease or organism within the body, metabolic disorders, tumors

Exogenous disease

• Disease originates outside body, pathogens, trauma, temperature

HAI

Hospital-acquired or healthcare-associated infection, opportunistic

Six links of chain infection

• Infectious agent

• Reservoir

• Portal of exit

• Transmission

• Portal of entry

• Vulnerable hosts

What is the goal of care regarding the chain of infection

To break the chain

Bodily defenses against infection

• Mucous membranes

• Cilia

• Coughing and sneezing

• HCL in the stomach

• Tears

• Fever

• Inflammation and Immune response