Safety & Infection Control

infection

the invasion of body tissues by microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites

safety

the condition of being protected from danger or injury

emergency codes

alert healthcare workers to urgent situation

code red

fire in the facility

code blue

cardiac arrest

code pink

child abduction

code black

bomb threat

disaster

any sudden event that brings great damage, loss, or destruction

patient safety

some patient safety guidelines are universal

* identify the patient first
* explain the entire procedure and gain consent
* never perform a procedure that you’re not trained for
* observe the patient carefully

incident reports

any event that is not a part of routine operations

5 rights of medication administration

1. check identification
2. check frequency of ordered medication
3. check the physician’s orders
4. confirm the patient can take the medication
5. confirm the rationale for the ordered medication

OSHA Hazard Communication Standard

requires employers to educate employees about chemical hazards in the workplace

Material safety data sheets (MSDS)

should accompany every chemical used in a healthcare facility

What information does a material safety data sheet (MSDS) contain?

1. a chemical’s makeup
2. a chemical’s dilution
3. a chemical’s mixture concentration
4. instructions for use

electrical safety

failure to observe electrical safety can result in burns, severe skin damage, unconsciousness, or even death

radiation safety

radiation exposure can occur near any machine that uses radiation

* amount of radiation
* duration of exposure
* distance from the source
* type of shielding used

fire safety

fire can occur where the three elements of the fire triangle are present:

* fuel
* heat
* oxygen

RACE: rescue, alarm, contain, extinguish

body mechanics

relate to the proper use of body movement to prevent injury

quality improvement

involves monitoring and evaluating services for the purpose of making them better

infection control

prevent the spread of microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi) that can cause infectious disease

bacteria

small, one-celled microorganisms that cannot be seen by the naked eye; can be pathogenic; treated with antibiotics

viruses

depend on a living cell to survive; cannot reproduce; treated with vaccinations

fungi

cause diseases including athlete’s foot and lung diseases

protozoa

cause amoebic dysentery, trichomoniasis, and malaria

rickettsiae

parasites that can cause diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and types of typhus

chain of infection

illustrates the sequence of events that allows infection to invade the body

hand hygiene

the most important way to prevent the spread of infection

sterilized

used to kill all microorganisms on a surface

spreading pathogens

several body fluids or elements that can transmit harmful pathogens like blood, semen/vaginal fluid, amniotic fluid, or human tissue

isolation

separates patients with certain infections from other patients. two levels: standard precautions and transmission-based precautions.

standard precautions

for every patient, even if they don’t have a communicable disease

transmission-based

precautions for patients who have a transmittable disease

airborne

protect against small airborne droplets or dust particles containing microorganisms

droplet

protect against large droplet transmission, as in coughing or sneezing

contact

protect against the spread of microorganisms through direct or indirect contact

personal protection equipment (PPE)

protects workers from serious workplace injuries or illnesses resulting from contract with various hazards. Includes face shields, glasses, goggles, gowns, gloves, and face masks

needlesticks/sharps

Accidental punctures of the skin can spread infection. Needlestick Safety and Prevent Act requires employers to identify, evaluate, and introduce safer medical devices to prevent needlesticks.

disposal of hazardous materials

hospitals are required to have hazardous-materials and waste management plans or protocols. Must train personnel who come into contact with hazardous materials/waste.

donning and doffing PPE

donning: hand hygiene, gown, respiratory protection, eye protection, gloves

doffing: gloves, eye protection, gown, respiratory protection, hand hygiene