Tuberculosis
a common airborne pathogen.
Nosocomial Infection/HAI (Healthcare Associated Infection)
Infection acquired during healthcare delivery
Communicable
infections that are able to spread from human to human
Chain of Infection
How the infectious agent reaches the susceptible host
PPE
Personal Protective Equipment
Biohazard
Anything harmful or potentially harmful to health
BBP
Bloodborne pathogen - infectious microorganism in blood or any other body fluid or tissues.
OSHA
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Hazard Communication Standard- HazCom, HCS
Commonly known as the "right to know law". All chemicals must be evaluated for health hazards and labeled as such and this information communicate to employees.
Safety Data Sheet - SDS
Used to communicate general and precautionary information about chemicals used in the workplace
CDC - Center for Disease Control and Prevention
An agency in the US
Department of Health and Human Services
charged with the investigation and control of communicable diseases
Microbes
also known as microorganisms, can invade the body and cause disease. Microbes include bacterial, fungi, protozoa, and viruses.
Pathogens
are microbes with can cause disease.
According to prevalence surveys C DIFF, or Clostridium Difficile is the # 1 HAI pathogen.
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UTI or urinary tract infections
often from untreated catheter sites is the #1 HAI infection.
Chain of Infection components
1. Infectious agent - the pathogenic microbe responsible for infection
2. Reservoir - Source of the agent. Can be human, animal, soil, water, or fomites. (A fomite is any object that can harbor infectious material. Pens, phones, equipment, etc.)
3. Exit p
Susceptible hosts
have lower immunity or ability to resist infections. (Newborns, elderly, people with weakened immune systems)
PPD testing
is a common employee screening. Tests and screens out individuals with active tuberculosis.
Employers are legally required to offer HCWs (healthcare workers) Hepatitis B vaccinations within 10 days of employment free of charge to the employee.
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Hand hygiene
most common workplace practice to protect against pathogens. Wash hands regularly. Use hand sanitizer if hands are not visibly contaminated. Hand sanitizer is not to be used before eating.
C Diff is not killed by alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
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PPE
include gloves, masks, goggles, fluid resistant lab coats, respirators, masks.
Donning
(putting on) PPE sequence- Gown, mask, gloves
Doffing
(removing) PPE sequence- Gloves, goggles, gown, mask (THIS CAN DIFFER DEPENDING ON PROTOCOLS) If you are following gown, gloves, mask sequence - wash hands before removing mask.
Isolation procedures
Used to separate patients suspected of having contagious diseases.
Protective or Reverse Isolation
Used for patients who are highly susceptible to infection. Burn patients, organ transplant patients, AIDS patients, neutropenic chemotherapy patients. (Neutropenic means having a low neutrophil count.
A neutrophil is a type of white blood cell.
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Universal Precaution
Blood and body fluids are considered to be potentially contaminate and must be treated as such.
Body Substance Isolation
Any moist body substance requires the use of gloves.
Biohazard Exposure Routes
a. Airborne - can be inhaled through fumes or aerosol. b. Ingestion - smoking, eating, licking fingers.
c. Non-Intact Skin - cover sores, chapped hands, do not bite your nails!
d. Percutaneous - needle or other sharp contaminated object breaks skin.
e. Pe
In the event of an accidental needle stick - remove sharp and wash hands for at least 30 seconds with soap and running water. Report exposure immediately.
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Mucous membrane exposure
flush the site with water for a minimum of 10 minutes. Report exposure.
Safety data sheets (SDS)
will accompany every chemical in the workspace known to have potential hazard to humans.
NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency)
order of action in the event of fire: RACE R - rescue A - alarm C - Contain E - extinguish
Most common fire hazards in labs are class C fires. They are electrical fires and require non conducting agents to extinguish.
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Principles involved in radiation safety include distance, time and shielding
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In the event of external hemorrhage, apply direct pressure until EMS arrives.
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