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The Well-Being of the Paramedic

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Back Safety

• EMS is a physically demanding career.

• Lifting and moving patients is frequently required.

• To avoid back injury, you must keep your back fit for the work you do.

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Correct Posture Will Minimize

the Risk of Back Injury

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Correct Sitting Posture

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Important Lifting Principles (1 of 2)

• Move a load only if you can handle it.

• Ask for help if you need it.

• Position load close to your body.

• Keep your palms up—when possible.

• Do not hurry.

• Bend with your knees.

• “Lock-in” the spine.

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Important Lifting Principles (2 of 2)

• Always avoid twisting and turning.

• Let the leg muscles do the work.

• Exhale during lifting.

• Tense ur abs!

• Given a choice, push. Do not pull.

• Look where you are going.

• Only one person should be in charge of verbal commands.

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Personal Protection from Disease

• There’s a lot you can do to minimize the risk of infection.

• Begin by developing a habit of doing the things promoted in this presentation.

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Infectious Disease

• Caused by pathogens, such as bacteria or viruses.

• May be spread from person to person.• For example, infection by way of

bloodborne pathogens can occur when the blood of an infected person comes in contact with another person’s broken skin.

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Common Infectious Diseases

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Body Substance Isolation

• A strict form of infection control that is based on the assumption that all blood and other body fluids are infectious. Take BSI precautions with every patient.

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BSI is achieved through the use of PPE.

• Appropriate personal protective equipment should be available in

every emergency vehicle. Protective gloves Masks and protective

eyewear HEPA and N-95

respirators Disposable resuscitation

equipment

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High Efficiency

Particulate Air

Respirator (HEPAMask)

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An N-95 Respirator

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To Remove Gloves, Hook the Gloved Fingers of One Hand Under the Cuff of

the Other Glove.

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Then Slide the Fingers of the Ungloved Hand Under the Remaining Glove’s Cuff.

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Perhaps the Most Important Infection-Control Practice Is...

HANDWASHING

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To Wash Your Hands Properly, Lather Well and Scrub Under Your Nails.

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When You Rinse Your Hands, Point Them Downward So That Soap and Water Run Off

Away From Your Body.

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Important:• Dispose of

Biohazardous Waste in a Properly Marked Bag.

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Also Very Important:• Discard

Needles and Other Sharp Objects in a Properly

Labeled, Puncture-proof Container.

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Contaminated Non-disposable Equipment Must

Be Cleaned, Disinfected, or Sterilized.

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…Cleaned, Disinfected, or Sterilized

• Cleaning refers to washing an object with soap and water.

• Disinfecting includes cleaning with a disinfectant.

• Sterilizing is the use of a chemical or steam to kill all microorganisms on an object.

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Post-Exposure Procedures

• In most areas, an EMS provider who has had an exposure should: Immediately wash the affected area. Get a medical evaluation. Notify the agency’s infection control liaison. Document the event. Take the immunization boosters.

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Next Week

• Back Safety– Basic Concepts

• Protection from Infection