Chapter 2: Workforce Safety and Wellness

Acute Stress Reactions

Reactions to stress that occur **during** a stressful situation 

Cumulative Stress Reactions

Prolonged or excessive stress 

Delayed Stress Reactions

Reactions to stress that occur **after** a stressful situation 

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Stress reaction to a prior incident. often the result of one or more unresolved issues concerning the incident, and may relate to an incident that involved the typical harm or the threat of a physical harm 

Transmission

The way in which an infectious disease is spread: contact, airborne, by vehicles or by vectors

Airborne transmission

The spread of an organism via droplets or dust 

Foodborne transmission

The contamination of food or water with an organism that can cause disease ( salmonella, E coli, etc.)

Vector-borne transmission

The use of an animal to spread an organism from one person or place to another (parasites, etc.) 

Pathogen

An organism that is capable of causing disease and is susceptible host 

Bloodborne pathogens

Pathogenic microorganisms are present in human blood and can cause disease in humans. these pathogens include, but are not limited to, Hepatitis B virus and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

Hepatitis

Inflammation of the liver, usually caused by a viral infection, that causes fever, loss of appetite, jaundice, fatigue, altered liver function 

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Acquired by immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is caused by HIV, which damages the cells in the body's immune system so that the body is unable to fight the infection or certain cancers 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Federal agency that conducts and supports Public Health activities in the United States. The CDC is part of the US Department of Health and Human Services 

Communicable Disease

A disease that can be spread from one person or species to another 

Concealment

The use of objects to limit a person's visibility of you 

Contamination

The presence of infectious organisms on or in objects such as dressings, water, food, needles, wounds, or patient's body 

Cover

The tactical use of an impenetrable barrier for protection 

Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM)

A process that confronts the responses to critical incidents and defuses them, directing the Emergency Services Personnel toward physical and emotional equilibrium 

Designated Officer

The individual in the department who is charged with the responsibility of managing exposures and infection control issues 

Direct Contact

Exposure or transmission of a communicable disease from one person to another by physical contact 

Exposure

A situation in which a person has had contact with blood, body fluids, tissues, or Airborne particles in a manner that suggests disease transmission may occur 

General Adaption Syndrome

The body’s response to stress that begins with an alarm response, followed by a stage of reaction and resistance, and then recovery or, if the stress is prolonged, exhaustion 

Host

The organism or individual that is attacked by the infecting agent 

Immune

The body's ability to protect itself from acquiring a disease 

Indirect contact

Exposure or transmission of disease from one person to another by the contact with a contaminated object 

Infection

The abnormal invasion of a host or host tissues by organisms such as bacteria, viruses, or parasites, with or without signs or symptoms of disease 

Infection control

Procedures to reduce transmission of infection among patients and Healthcare personnel 

Infectious disease

A medical condition caused by the growth and spread of a small, harmful organisms within the body

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

The federal Regulatory Compliance agency that develops, publishes, and enforces guidelines concerning safety in the workplace 

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Protective equipment that blocks exposure to a pathogen or a hazardous material 

Standard precautions

Protective measures that have traditionally been developed by the CDC for use in dealing with objects, blood, body fluids, and other potential exposure risks of communicable diseases 

US Department of Transportation (DOT)

**Emergency Response Guidebook** is an important resource when dealing with hazardous materials

Vehicle Crashes

One of the most dangerous environments for EMS providers

100

Park at least ___ feet away from crash sites

Follow this order always

1\.) Personal safety

2\.) Scene safety

3\.) Patient safety

To improve sleep…

limit caffeine and alcohol intake, and tobacco usage

Minimum standard of care for any exposure… (PPE)

Gloves and eye protection

If you suspect a patient has an airborne disease, place a ______ on a patient

surgical mask

Is a patient is suspected to have tuberculosis, place a _____ and a _______ on yourself

surgical mask , N95 mask

Nonrebreather flow should always be set at ____

10 - 15 L/min

On an infected patient, you should always use a _____ or a _______

pocket mask , bag-valve mask (BVM)

Any medical waste should be placed in a ______

**red** biohazard bag

Bleach and water solution should be be at what ratio?

1:10

Following required immunizations for health care workers:

1\.) Hepatitis B (as required by OSHA)

2\.) Influenza (yearly)

3\.)Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) (typically a one-time vaccination)

4\.) Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine or having had chickenpox

5\.)Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap) (every 10 years)