CH2: Workforce Safety & Wellness

acute stress reactions

reactions to stress that occur during a traumatic situation

aerosol-generating procedure

treatments that increase the risk for transmission of infections that are spread throught he air or by droplet

• example: CPR

airborne transmission

the spread of an organism via droplets or dust

bloodborne pathogens

Pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human body and can cause disease in humans. The pathogens include, but are not limited to, hepatitis B virus and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

burnout

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

Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

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

communicable disease

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

compassion fatigue

a stress disorder that can be spread from one person or species to another

concealment

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

contamination

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

cover

the tactical use of an impenetrable barrier for protection

critical incident stress management (CISM)

a process that confronts the response to critical incidents and defuses them, directing the emergency services personnel toward physical and emotional equilibrium

cumulative stress reactions

prolonged or excessive stress

delayed stress reactions

reactions to stress that occur after a stressful situation

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

distress

a negative response to a sressor

eustress

a beneficial response to a stressor

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

foodborne transmission

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

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 recover or, if the stress is prolonged, exhaustion

hepatitis

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

host

the organism or individual that is attacked by the infecting agent

human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

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

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 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 symptom of disease

infection control

procedures to reduce transmission of infection among patients and health care personnel

infectious disease

a medical condition caused by the growth and spread of 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

pathogen

a microorganism that’s capable of causing disease in a susceptible host

personal protective equipment (PPE)

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

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

resilience

the capacity of an individual to cope with and recover from distress

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 disease

transmission

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

vector-borne transmission

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

wellness

the active pursuit of a state of good health