Infection Control and Safety

Standard Precautions

Cleaning, hand washing, disinfecting

Universal Precautions

Working as though everyone is carrying a blood-borne pathogen or infectious disease

Clostridium difficile, AKA: C-diff

Contact precautions- highly contagious. can be spread by touching someone or contaminated surfaces such as linens, tables. most common symptom is diarrhea

Removal of PPE

1st contaminated gloves, gown, goggles, mask

Donning (putting on) PPE

gown, mask, goggles, gloves

When transferring a patient

assist them on their STRONGER side

Biohazard Material

Chemical name for household bleach

sodium hypochlorite

NFPA Hazard Label

Flow rate for oxygen

Liters per minute

Apply Cold or Warmth Immediately after Sprain

Cold to reduce swelling

Bark-like cough is due to

blockage of the LARYNX

Systemic reaction

coughing, wheezing, labored breathing

Localized Reaction

reaction at the injection site- swelling

First aid for nosebleed (epistaxis)

pressure on the affected nostril- you want the blood to clot

Seizure

Do not use a tongue blade to stop the tongue from occluding the throat. This is more dangerous than helpful.

Has pulse but not breathing

perform rescue breaths

Signs of anaphylaxis

Use epinephrine “epi pen”

Drug linked to Reye’s Syndrome

aspirin

Afebrile

without fever

Uticaria

hives

Nosocomial

hospital acquired

Best environment for sterilized equipment

Temperature controlled

Transfer forceps

used when something needs to be transferred into the sterile field

Exudate

fluid that oozes out of tissues during inflammation- spread through direct contact

R.A.C.E. -Fire Safety

Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish

Alopecia

Hair loss

Tuberculosis - TB

airborne precautions- inhaled bacteria

1st barrier of defense

intact skin

Needlestick incident

wash hands, then report to supervisor, file an incident report, patient should be tested for infectious diseases if agreeable, exposed worker tested

MRSA- Methicillin Resistant Staphyloccocus aureus

Contact precautions

Rubeola- Measles

Airborne precautions- rash, cough, mucus, fever

Mask for airborne precautions

N95

Airborne Precautions

TB, measles, chickenpox, herpes zoster (shingles)- you usually think of rash, but these infections also consist of coughing, sneezing

Blood-borne

Hepatitis, HIV, some staphylococcal infections

Diptheria

Rare- standard, airborne, droplet, and contact precautions

Droplet precautions

large droplets from a cough or sneeze that travel no more than 3 feet (RSV infection)

Entering a room with airborne precautions

PPE and N95

Bacterial Meningitis

high fever, stiff neck, blurry vision, petechial rash (pinpoint spots of bleeding), photophobia (sensitivity to light)

Sanitize

to reduce the number of microorganisms, to clean, wash, or remove debris/ tissues

Disinfect

to eliminate or destroy pathogens on surfaces and objects, usually through chemical means, but does not kill all bacteria as some bacteria have spores which as a protective shield

Sterilize

kill all living microorganismsincluding bacterial spores, often through methods such as heat, steam, or chemical agents.

Autoclave

uses steam, high levels of heat, and pressure to sterilize- reaches at least 270 degrees, with 15 pounds of pressure, for a general time of 15-30 minutes

Medical Aseptic

general hand washing, using PPE, disinfection

Surgical Aseptic

a sterile technique/ aseptic technique involving strict protocols to maintain a sterile environment.

General hand washing for medical asepsis

wash for 20 seconds up to the wrist- hands down to rinse

Surgical hand washing or “scrub”

thorough hand washing using scrub sponge with bristles and a detergent for an average of 2-6 minutes per manufacturer protocol up to the emails- hands up to rinse

Fomites

inanimate objects that can carry infectious agents- examples: doorknobs, medical equipment, clothing, countertops, light switches