Safety and Healthcare

Precautions

Kari Slade, BS Health Science, MA Public Health

Roosevelt High School Health Careers Program, Minnesota

Competency 22. Explain the current

requirements of standard precautions and the procedures used at a variety of healthcare facilities to support those standards.

Standard Precautions

Standard precautions are designed for preventing the transmission of blood-borne diseases when first aid or health care is provided.

The Precautions include specific recommendations for use of gloves, gowns, masks, and protective eyewear when contact with blood or body secretions containing blood is anticipated.

The goal of these techniques is to prevent the spread of communicable diseases in healthcare facilities and microorganisms among patients, personnel and visitors.

 

These precautions are:Hand decontaminationPersonal protective equipment (PPE)Safe handling and disposal of sharpsSafe disposal of clinical wasteSafe handling of contaminated linenCorrect dealing with spillages of blood and

body fluids

Transmission-based precautions

Transmission-based precautions are designed to supplement standard precautions in patients documented or suspected to be infected.

There are three types of transmission-based precautions:

Airborne: generated when talking, coughing or sneezing and during procedures involving the respiratory tract

Droplets: requires close contact between the infected source and the recipient

 Contact: requires direct or indirect contact

(Skin infection)

OHSA Blood borne Pathogens Standards

OHSA Blood borne Pathogens Standards: Are a set of precautions designed to prevent

transmission of HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), and other blood borne pathogens when providing first aid or health care.

Under universal precautions, blood and certain body fluids of all patients are considered potentially infectious for HIV, HBV and other blood borne pathogens.

Precautions include:blood bodily fluids containing visible

blood semen vaginal fluid cerebrospinal needles, scalpels and other sharp

instruments

PPE: Personal Protective Equipment

Personal protective equipment (PPE) Is used by healthcare providers to protect

themselves from injury or infection.PPE is any type of face mask, glove, or clothing that

acts as a barrier between infectious materials and the skin, mouth, nose, or eyes.

When used properly, personal protective equipment can help prevent the spread of infection from one person to another.

Exposure Control Plan

Employers are required to develop and make available an exposure control plan (ECP). The plan is in place to protect employees from health hazards associated with Bloodborne pathogens and provide appropriate treatment and counseling if an exposure incident occurs. Know where your exposure control plan is located and what it includes.

The exposure control plan includes detailed information about ways your employer provides a safe and healthful work environment, including:Who is responsible for implementing the planDetermination of employee exposure

Exposure Control Plan

Methods of exposure control such as Universal Precautions, engineering and work practice controls, personal protective equipment (PPE), and housekeeping

Hepatitis B vaccination Post exposure evaluation and follow-up as well as

the procedures for evaluating the circumstances surrounding an exposure incident

Communication of hazards to employees Training and recordkeeping Employers are required to implement a variety of

preventive measures to reduce or eliminate the risk of exposure to blood borne pathogens, including Universal Precautions, work practice controls, PPE, engineering controls, and vaccination.

Chain of InfectionWays to break the chain:Hand washingGlovesGownEye and face protectionEnvironmental controls Change linens

Application of standard precautionsAseptic practicesDisinfectantsSterilization methods

Common Pathogens in healthcare facilities:Hepatitis B and CHIVTuberculosisFluePneumonia

RACE

What is RACE?Remove patientsActivate alarm/ alert all staffContain fire/ confine fireExtinguish fire or evacuate areaRACE method is used for fire

emergencies in a healthcare facility. RACE gives all the steps you need to put in action when a fire occurs in your workplace.

PASS Methods

What is PASS?Pull the pinAim the nozzle at base of fireSqueeze the handleSweep back and forth along the base

of firePASS gives you the exact steps to take

when using a fire extinguisher. PASS is used after RACE.

Common safety precautionsMoving safely:Moving unsafely easily gives mistakes a

chance to happen. A first instinct during an emergency maybe to run or move fast.......MISTAKE!!! Running or moving fast may cause a fall or other injuries.

Dressing safely:Dressing safely insures containment of

viruses or diseases. Dressing safely also ensures the patient is going to get good care.

Common safety precautions

Protecting yourself and others:Wearing gloves and practicing hand washing

can protect you from various viruses or diseases. The way you can protect your patient is by following standard precautions.

Reporting for safety:Being aware of your surroundings can help

save someone's life. When you notice any unsafe conditions, you must report it. Example: if you see a burnt out exit sign, report it. If there is an emergency and patients can’t see the sign, they may not know a way out.

Knowing your ABC’sIn case of an emergency, you must

remember your ABC’s:A—Airway: When most people

suddenly become unconscious, their tongue will become extremely relaxed and settle back into their throat and block air flow to the lungs. Knowing how to simply reposition the victim’s head may correct this life threatening problem.

Knowing your ABC’sB—Breathing: Falls, electrocution,

near-drowning, and choking can cause a person to stop breathing. If not corrected immediately, the heart will also stop beating soon after breathing stops. Providing temporary rescue breathing can keep the blood oxygenated and the heart pumping.

Knowing your ABC’sC—Circulation: Circulation is the flow

of blood throughout the body. If the body’s cells do not receive adequate blood flow, the body will soon shut down. This can be the result of a heart attack, large amount of blood loss from an injury, or drug overdose. CPR can maintain blood circulation when the heart stops beating, until a defibrillator and advanced help arrives.

Remembering the ABC’s can help you be prepared for an unexpected emergency.

Questions?