EMT Course Chapter 2 - Workforce Safety and Wellness

Workforce Safety and Wellness

Contamination

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

Vector-Borne Transmission

The use of an animal to spread an organism from one person or place to another.

General Adaptation 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.

Transmission

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

Cumulative Stress Reaction

Prolonged or excessive stress.

Eustress

A beneficial response to a stressor.

Foodborne Transmission

The contamination of food or water with an organism that can cause disease.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

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

Designated Officer

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

Infection Control

Procedures to reduce transmission of infection among patients and health care personnel.

Resilience

The capacity of an individual to cope with and recover from distress.

Wellness

The active pursuit of a state of good health.

Compassion Fatigue

A stress disorder characterized by gradual lessening of compassion over time.

Aerosol-Generating Procedure

Any airway manipulation that induces the production of aerosols that may present a risk for airborne transmission of pathogens, such as CPR.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

A virus which damages the cells in the body’s immune system so that the body is unable to fight infection or certain cancers. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is caused by this virus.

Burnout

A combination of exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced performance resulting from long-term job stresses in health care and other high-stress professions.

Indirect Contact

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

Immunity

The body’s ability to protect itself from acquiring a disease.

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.

Pathogen

A microorganism that is capable of causing disease in a susceptible host.

Airborne Transmission

The spread of an organism via droplets or dust.

Concealment

The use of objects to limit a person’s ability to see you.

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.

Acute Stress Reactions

Reactions to stress that occur during a stressful situation.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

The federal regulatory compliance agency that develops, publishes, and enforces guidelines concerning safety in the workplace.

Communicable Disease

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

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

A delayed 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 physical harm or the threat of physical harm.

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.

Infectious Disease

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

Cover

The tactical use of an impenetrable barrier for protection.

Direct Contact

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

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The primary federal agency that conducts and supports public health activities in the United States. It is part of the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Delayed Stress Reactions

Reactions to stress that occur after a stressful situation.

Host

The organism or individual that is attacked by the infecting agent.

Standard Precautions

Protective measures that have traditionally been developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for use in dealing with objects, blood, body fluids, and other potential exposure risks of communicable disease.

Distress

A negative response to a stressor.

Hepatitis

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

Bloodborne Pathogens

Pathogenic microorganisms that 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).

What standard precautions should your partner have taken with this patient?

A. Gloves only

B. Gloves and surgical mask

C. Gloves and HEPA mask

D. Gloves, mask, and gown

Gloves and HEPA mask (Question Card)

If your partner becomes infected with this patient’s illness, what type of transmission would this occur through?

A. Vector-borne

B. Foodborne

C. Indirect contact

D. Airborne

Airborne (Question Card)

Because your partner did not use standard precautions, he has potentially been exposed to an infectious disease. What should he do?

A. Ignore it because the risk of contamination is small.

B. Report it to the hospital staff so they can isolate the patient.

C. Report it to the infection control officer.

D. Sanitize any equipment that was in contact with the patient.

Report it to the infection control officer. (Question Card)

Which of the following signs and symptoms are NOT usually associated with stress?

A. Headaches

B. Risk taking

C. Night sweats

D. Isolation

Night sweats (Question Card)

How can you help your partner to manage his stress?

A. Suggest that he relax and have a few drinks after his shifts.

B. Suggest a vacation.

C. Suggest that the supervisor give him time off.

D. Suggest that he participate in physical activity away from the workplace.

Suggest that he participate in physical activity away from the workplace. (Question Card)

Which of the following is NOT a recommended way to manage stress?

A. Alcohol

B. Exercise

C. Proper diet

D. Sleep

Alcohol is not a recommended way to manage stress. Exercise, good nutrition, meditation, and limiting the use of alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine will help reduce stress. (Question Card)

What are the long-term physical effects of stress?

Long-term physical effects of stress include changes in appetite, gastrointestinal problems, backache, headaches, and fatigue.(Question Card)

What are the long-term psychological effects of stress?

Long-term psychological reactions to stress include fear, dull or nonresponsive behavior, depression, guilt, oversensitivity, anger, irritability, and frustration.(Question Card)