Safety and Infection Control Governing Agencies OSHA Occupational

Safety and Infection Control

Governing Agencies • OSHA – Occupational Safety Health Administration • CDC – Center for Disease Control • FDA – Food and Drug Administration • EPA – Environmental Protection Agency • National and County Health Department

MSDS Material Safety Data Sheets All chemicals in the work site must have a sheet which contain the following: • Manufactures name and address • Chemical name • Hazard rating – 0 -4 (0=no hazard 4=very hazardous) • PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required

Accidents and Injuries “That looks like an accident waiting to happen” • Cluttered stairways and halls • Plugging too many items in an outlet • Wet floor • Recapping a needle If you do not know what causes and accident or an infection you can not prevent it!

Fire Safety Fire triangle: • Heat • Fuel • Oxygen If health care workers do not know the initial steps to take for safety during a fire risk situation, the potential for loss of lives could be great.

Fire Extinguishers • • • A (water) – Common Combustibles B (carbon dioxide) – Flammable liquids C (K bicarbonate) – Electrical D – Combustible metals (magnesium) ABC (Chemical) – All ABC fires

How to use an extinguisher P. A. S. S. • • Pull the pin Aim at the base of the fire Squeeze the handle Sweep the fire

Emergency Rescue R. A. C. E. • • Rescue – Everyone around the fire or smoke Alarm – Pull alarm Contain – Close all doors and windows Evacuate 1. Ambulatory clients 2. Wheelchair clients 3. Bed bound clients

Body Mechanics/ Ergonomics As health care providers you will often need to lift, move, and carry heavy objects. Proper body alignment when moving and lifting helps preserve the natural curve of the spine.

Lifting Tips: • Always use two hands • Face the direction in which intend to move • Avoid unnecessary reaching • Keep your shoulders back • Bend at the hips and knees • Keep your chin up and look straight ahead • Tighten your abdominal muscles

Lifting Tips: • Keep the object you are lifting close to the your body • Push, pull, or slide instead of lifting • Always ask for help when needed WEAR A BACK SUPPORT!

Microbiology The science that studies living organisms that can not be seen by the naked eye Microorganisms are also referred to as microbes A microscope is used to view microbes Pathogens are microorganisms that cause disease

Factors That Influence Microbial Growth • • • Temperature p. H Food Moisture Oxygen (for certain bacteria) 1. Aerobic microbes – need oxygen 2. Anaerobic microbes – do not need oxygen

Destroying Microorganisms Three common practices used to prevent the growth and spread of microorganisms: • Antiseptics – solutions applied to the skin • Disinfectants – solutions applied to surfaces • Sterilization – using an autoclave, wavicide, or radiation to kill all microbes Autoclave

Types of Microorganisms • • • Bacteria Fungi Protozoa Rickettsiae (Parasites) Viruses

Bacteria One celled plants classified by their shape and arrangement A. B. Shape: • Cocci – round • Bacilli – rod shape C. D. • Spirilla – spiral or cork screw shape E. F. G. Refer to table 3 -4 in your textbook page 70 H. I.

Fungi A plantlike organism that lives on dead matter Fungi are responsible for the following conditions: • Ringworm • Athlete’s Foot • Yeast Infections • Thrush

Protozoa Tiny animals found in contaminated water supplies Cause the following diseases: • Malaria • Trichinosis • Amebic dysentery

Rickettsiae Parasites that live inside cells of other living organisms They are a type of bacteria Animals such as fleas, ticks and lice carry the parasite and transmit the parasite to humans • Example: Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Viruses The smallest of all microorganisms Only seen with an electron microscope Very difficult to destroy They can grow and reproduce inside other living things Spread by blood and body fluid contact

Viruses Disease associated with viruses: • Common cold • Chickenpox • Herpes • Hepatitis B • AIDS

Principles of Infection The presence of microorganisms does not mean that an infection will result Infection occurs only if the number of pathogens increase and alter the function of normal tissue Some infections can spread to other people and are described as being CONTAGIOUS

Chain of Infection Six factors must be present for an infection to result: 1. Infectious agent Infectious Agent 2. Reservoir Susceptible Reservoir 3. Portal of exit Host 4. Mode of transmission 5. Portal of entry Portal of Exit Entry 6. Susceptible host Mode of Transmissio n If at any point the chain of infection is broken, infection will not occur

Signs and Symptoms of Infection Local Infection: • • • Redness Swelling Tenderness Warmth Drainage General Infection (Systemic): • Fever • Malaise • Swollen lymph node

Nosocomial Infection Hospital acquired infection Statistics: • # 4 cause of death in the US • 90, 000 deaths in the year 2000 Prevention: • Hand washing • Clean technique

Stats on Nosocomial Infections • Kills 1 in 20 patients in acute care hospitals • Equivalent to a 747 plane crash killing all passengers and crew every other day • One death every 6 minutes • Cost more than $5 Billion dollars a year • More than 70% of bacteria are resistant to at least one major antibiotic

Asepsis Free of disease producing microorganism Two types: • Medical Asepsis (Clean Technique) • Surgical Asepsis (Sterile Technique)

Standard Precautions for Infection Control

Standard Precautions All blood and body fluid should be considered contaminated Hand Washing is vital Health workers must wear PPE, Personal Protective Equipment

Hand Washing You should wash your hands for 10 -15 seconds following contact with a client You should wash your hands for 1 -3 minutes if heavily soiled A surgical hand scrub should be done for 3 -15 minutes Hand Washing lab procedure 3 D in your text book page 78

PPE Personal Protective Equipment The equipment used depends on the disease and how it is spread Examples of PPE: • Gloves • Gown • Goggles • Face shields • Mask

Transmission Based Precautions Three types of transmission based precautions for highly infectious diseases: • Airborne • Droplet • Contact

Airborne Precautions Infectious tiny airborne droplets can remain suspended in the air for long periods of time Tuberculosis is an example of an airborne infection Anyone who comes in contact with the infected client must wear a HEPA mask (high-efficiency particulate air filter)

Droplet Precautions Droplets contain infection and can be spread when the client coughs or sneezes Example: Pertussis (Whooping Cough) You must wear a mask if you have close client contact

Contact Precaution Skin or wound infections can be transmitted by direct or indirect contact Direct contact – skin to skin Indirect contact – linens or surfaces Two highly infectious diseases: MRSA – Methicillin Resistant MRSA Staphylococcus Aurens VRE – Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus

MRSA Stats • Makes hospitals stays 3 times longer-14. 3 days vs. 4. 5 days • Costs 3 x $48, 824 vs $14, 141 • 5 x more likely to die 11. 2% vs 2. 3% • Lives on acrylic nails for 8 weeks, computer keys 6 weeks, bed linens 5 days • Worldwide about 95 million carry some form of staph