Chapter 2 - Well-being of an EMT

A strict form of infection control that assumes all blood and bodily fluids are infectious:

Standard Precautions

Ways of managing health and well-being

Exercising, eating a healthy diet, getting adequate sleep and rest, and keeping up to date on vaccines and medical appointments

Aspect of fatigue that most relates to mental functioning

improper decision making and significant factor in medical errors

How bloodborne pathogens can be contracted

An infected person’s blood through breaks in a non-infected person’s skin

Precautions that should be taken when dealing with a patient who is infected with Hepatitis B or C

Gloves and eyewear

PPE that should be used when dealing with a patient who is infected with TB

N-95 or HEPA mask

Alcohol-based cleaners are effective at…

Helping to kill microorganisms

If soap and water are available, ____ method of hand cleaning should be used.

Vigorous hand washing

AIDS mode of transmission and incubation period

HIV-Infected blood via IV drug use, unprotected sexual contact, blood tranfusions, accidental needlesticks, or mother to unborn child.

Areas that pose greatest risk for exposure to TB

Institutions such as nursing homes, incarceration centers, and rehab facilities

The reason why AIDS presents a lesser risk to healthcare workers in comparison to hepatitis and TB

AIDS virus doesn’t survive well outside the human body

The disease that caused global concern and almost 800 deaths

SARS

A virus that is found in poultry and can affect humans

Avian Flu

The US entity that established guidelines that require certain precautions to be taken to prevent disease transmission through body fluids

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

A way that, under the Ryan White CARE Act, you can learn that you were exposed to a communicable disease

By being informed by the designated officer

The procedure that poses the highest risk for TB transmission

Endotracheal suctioning

A test that is often part of an employment physical

TB test (Aka TST or PPD)

Test that can detect whether an EMT has been exposed to TB

TST; tuberculosis Skin Test

PPE/ Personal Protective Equipment consist of…

Eye protection, protective gloves, gowns, and masks

A general release of a harmful substance into the environment

Hazardous Material Incident

Social aspects that impact an EMT’s wellbeing

Having strong support systems and solid relationships

The professional dimension that is most likely to be directly affected by an EMT’s health and wellbeing

Preparedness

Important reasons to limit alcohol and caffeine intake even during off hours

Excess intake reduces performance

Why it’s important to ensure that you attend to your mental health as much as your physical health

The Emergency Medical Profession imposes strong mental and physical demands

PPE that should be used when potential for contact with blood such as broken glass

Gloves

PPE is a barrier against…

Infection

How to turn off the faucet after hand washing

Use a dry paper towel to touch the handle

How an alcohol-based hand cleaner should be used

Use a hand-sanitizer with over 60% alcohol content, rub into hands until dry

Dried blood, even days old, still presents a risk of…

Hepatitis

Mode of transmission for TB

Airborne

Where MERS is found

Primarily on the Arabian Peninsula

How an EMT should dispose of a single-use BVM device that was used to ventilate a patient with TB

Dispose of the BVM according to hospital or EMS service policy

Act that establishes procedures in which emergency response workers may find out if they have been exposed to life-threatening infectious diseases

Ryan White CARE Act

TST test for…

Tuberculosis

Steps that should be taken if determined to have been exposed to TB

Follow-up with a doctor or other healthcare professional

A disease that is transmitted by airborne droplets or open sores

Varicella (Chickenpox)

HIV modes of transmission

HIV-infected blood, unprotected sexual contact, accidental needlesticks, or from mothers to their unborn child

Stress is:

A state of physical or psychological arousal to stimulus

Situations that are most likely to stress an EMT out involve:

Calls that involve children, abuse, MCI, or a death of a colleague

Warning sign of stress:

loss of sexual desire/interest, trouble concentrating, irritability, depression,

Stage of stress response in which pupils and bronchial passages dilate, HR increases, and blood sugar increases

Alarm

Stage of stress in which an individual has adapted to a stimulus so that it no longer produces a stress response

Resistance

Burnout

State of exhaustion and irritability that can decrease effectiveness of delivering emergency medical care.

An event that are often linked to Acute Stress Reactions

Catastrophes such as large-scale natural disasters

Difference between an acute and delayed stress reaction

The time it takes for the reaction to occur

Trigger

A specific incident that can provoke a delayed stress reaction

The overall purpose of a CISD event

Provide a means to relieve the stress experienced by those who were involved with the incident

People who are usually involved in a CISD session

Those who were directly involved with the most stressful aspects of the incident

Bargaining

Stage of grief in which the person believes that death can somehow be postponed or change through negotiation

Depression

Stage of grief in which the person may become more silent, distant, sad, and despairing.

How to talk to the family of dying/deceased or to a dying patient

Comfort them and don’t give false hope

CISM

Critical Incident Stress Mangement; Acronym for a comprehensive system that includes education and resources to prevent and deal with stress appropriately

Eustress

A positive form of stress that helps people work under pressure and respond effectively

Exhaustion

Stage of the general adaptation syndrome in which an individual has lost the ability to resist or adapt to a stressor, and may become seriously ill as a consequence.

How long after an event does a CISD take place:

24-72 hours after the incident

CISD Model is now…

Ebola mode of transmission and incubation

Blood and body fluids; 2-21 days (usually 8-10)

German Measles (Rubella) mode of transmission and incubation time

Airborne droplets or mothers to unborn children; 10-12 days

Bacterial Meningitis mode of transmission and incubation

Oral and nasal secretions; 2-10 days

Mumps mode of transmission and incubation

Droplets of saliva or objects contaminated with saliva; 14-24 days

Pneumonia (bacterial and viral) mode of transmission and incubation period

Oral and nasal droplets and secretions; several days

Staphylococcal Skin Infections mode of transmission and incubation period

Direct contact with infected wounds or sores or with contaminated objects; several days

Whooping cough (pertussis) mode of transmission and incubation period

Respiratory secretions or airborne droplets; 6-20 days

How to transport a person with TB

Open ambulance windows and set AC on non-recirculating air cycle

Is there an immunization for TB

No.

Stages of body’s response to stress in order

1. Alarm

2. Resistance

3. Exhaustion (most individuals don’t reach this stage)

Cumulative Stress Reaction

aka burnout and caused by sustained, reoccurring low-level stressors. May develop over a period of years.

Is CISD recommended?

No and is used less frequently now.

5 Stages of Greif

Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance

When dealing with those who are grieving you should…

Recognize the patient, be tolerant of angry reactions, listen empathetically, don’t give false reassurance, and offer as much comfort as you realistically can

Emergency Response Guidebook

Reference book that contains the hazmat placard information such as ID codes and colors.

SCBA

Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus

Actions to take when responding to danger

Plan, observe, React

Cover

A position that protects your body from projectiles

Concealment

Hiding your body behind an object that cannot protect you

The three “R”s

Respond, Radio, Reevaulate

Statistically, the most life-threatening incident for EMS providers

Air Medical Crashes

Primary rule when dealing with a hazmat incident

Maintaining a safe distance from the source of the hazardous material

Action that the EMT should take on each and every emergency call

Ensure scene safety

EMTs use how many types of gloves

2 - nonlatex and heavy-duty tear-resistant gloves