Ch3_ Infection Control, Safety, First Aid, and Personal Wellness

Chapter Overview

• Chapter discusses Infection Control, Safety, First Aid, and Personal Wellness

Objectives

• Infection Control Terminology

  • Knowledge of terminology, precautions, procedures, practices, and programs

  • Identification of agencies related to infection control

• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

  • Key elements of the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard

  • Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act

• Laboratory Safety Rules

  • General rules for safety in laboratories and patient areas

• Hazard Identification

  • Recognize hazards, warning symbols, and safety protocols related to various safety categories including biological, chemical, electrical, fire, and radiation

• First Aid Recognition

  • Identify symptoms requiring first aid and understand American Heart Association (AHA) CPR guidelines

• Personal Wellness

  • Relationship of wellness to nutrition, rest, exercise, stress management, and back protection

Infection Control

• Definition of Infection

  • Infection: A condition resulting when a microbe invades the body, multiplies, and causes injury or disease

  • Types of microbes: Bacteria, Fungi, Protozoa, Viruses

  • Pathogen: A microbe capable of causing disease

  • Importance: Protects individuals from infection or injury; ensures quality patient care

Types of Infection

• Communicable Infections

  • Spread from person to person; controlled by the CDC

• Nosocomial & HAIs

  • Infections acquired in healthcare settings; prevalent in hospitals with a substantial annual occurrence

  • Caused by infected personnel, patients, etc.

Antibiotic-Resistant Infections

• Major antibiotics resistant bacteria include:

  • Clostridium difficile

  • MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)

  • Enterococcus

  • Multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria

    • CRE (Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae) including E. coli and Klebsiella pneumonia

    • Acinetobacter baumannii

    • Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Chain of Infection

• Infectious Agent: Pathogen causing the infection

• Reservoir: Source of infection such as humans, animals, food, etc.

• Exit Pathway: How the infectious agent leaves the reservoir

• Means of Transmission: Various pathways including airborne, direct, indirect contact, droplets, etc.

• Entry Pathway: How the pathogen enters a new host

• Susceptible Host: Individuals with reduced ability to resist infection

  • Contributing factors: age, health, immune status

Breaking the Chain of Infection

• Key methods:

  • Hand hygiene, nutrition, stress reduction

  • Immunization, decontamination, safe disposal of waste

  • Use of PPE, isolation procedures

Infection Control Programs

• Programs designed to protect individuals and break the chain of infection

  • Include employee screening and immunization, evaluation & treatment, surveillance

Infection Control Practices

• Hand Hygiene

  • Alcohol-based antiseptics and handwashing protocols

• PPE Usage

  • Importance of gloves, gowns, masks, face shields, and goggles

  • Sequence for donning and doffing PPE

  • Emphasis on proper hygiene post PPE usage

Isolation Procedures

• Keeping infected individuals separate to prevent spread

  • Universal precautions: All blood and body fluids as potentially infectious

  • Different types of isolation including contact, droplet, and airborne precautions

Biosafety

• Biohazard Definition

  • Any material potentially harmful to health; indicated by a biohazard symbol

• Bloodborne Pathogens

  • Viruses including Hepatitis B, C, and HIV; methods of transmission and associated risks

• Exposure Control Plan

  • Legal requirements for exposure protocols

  • Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act mandates OSHA revisions

Safety Protocols

Chemical Safety

• General safety rules for handling chemicals

• OSHA HazCom Standard requirements for labeling and safety data sheets

• Fire Safety

  • Knowledge of fire components, classes, and appropriate extinguishing methods

Electrical Safety

• Steps to take in case of electrical shock

First Aid Overview

• External Hemorrhage Management

  • Treatment protocols including pressure application and appropriate use of tourniquets

• Shock Recognition

  • Symptoms and first aid response practices

CPR & Emergency Cardiovascular Care

• AHA recommended training for healthcare professionals

• Key CPR guidelines for adults, infants, and children

• Chain of Survival: Importance of each link in emergency response

Personal Wellness

• Holistic approach to wellness: physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and economic factors

• Nutrition, Rest, and Exercise

  • Balanced diet, regular exercise, importance of sleep

• Stress Management

  • Issues faced by healthcare workers, including back injuries and managing stress effectively