Podcast
Questions and Answers
A personal support worker does not provide emotional support to clients.
A personal support worker does not provide emotional support to clients.
False (B)
Active listening is considered an important skill for personal support workers.
Active listening is considered an important skill for personal support workers.
True (A)
Personal support workers are responsible for instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) only.
Personal support workers are responsible for instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) only.
False (B)
A personal support worker's approach should remain professional at all times.
A personal support worker's approach should remain professional at all times.
Personal support workers need to communicate with other healthcare professionals to ensure client well-being.
Personal support workers need to communicate with other healthcare professionals to ensure client well-being.
Personal support workers are considered regulated healthcare providers.
Personal support workers are considered regulated healthcare providers.
PSWs should recognize that every client has the same needs.
PSWs should recognize that every client has the same needs.
The significance of client-centered care is highlighted in a personal support worker's training.
The significance of client-centered care is highlighted in a personal support worker's training.
Microbes can only be seen with a microscope.
Microbes can only be seen with a microscope.
Pathogenic bacteria are beneficial and do not cause illness.
Pathogenic bacteria are beneficial and do not cause illness.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is only necessary for standard practices.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is only necessary for standard practices.
Cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization methods are all effective means of infection prevention.
Cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization methods are all effective means of infection prevention.
Viruses can remain dormant for years before becoming active.
Viruses can remain dormant for years before becoming active.
Parasites obtain nourishment from dead organic matter.
Parasites obtain nourishment from dead organic matter.
Infection can be transmitted through contaminated water and food.
Infection can be transmitted through contaminated water and food.
The infection cycle includes risk factors, signs and symptoms, and prevention methods.
The infection cycle includes risk factors, signs and symptoms, and prevention methods.
VRE is resistant to all antibiotics, including vancomycin.
VRE is resistant to all antibiotics, including vancomycin.
Athlete's foot can be treated with antibiotics.
Athlete's foot can be treated with antibiotics.
Pathogens are non-disease-causing microbes.
Pathogens are non-disease-causing microbes.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) includes gloves and masks.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) includes gloves and masks.
Antiviral treatments are effective against bacterial infections.
Antiviral treatments are effective against bacterial infections.
Microbes thrive in wet, warm, and dark environments.
Microbes thrive in wet, warm, and dark environments.
Overuse of antibiotics can lead to the development of multidrug-resistant organisms (MROs).
Overuse of antibiotics can lead to the development of multidrug-resistant organisms (MROs).
Lice, mites, and pinworms are treated with antifungal medications.
Lice, mites, and pinworms are treated with antifungal medications.
Handwashing with soap and water is considered one of the best defenses against VRE.
Handwashing with soap and water is considered one of the best defenses against VRE.
C-Diff bacteria do not produce toxins that can damage the bowel.
C-Diff bacteria do not produce toxins that can damage the bowel.
Alcohol-based sanitizer is equally effective as washing with soap and water against C-Diff bacteria.
Alcohol-based sanitizer is equally effective as washing with soap and water against C-Diff bacteria.
MRSA can be effectively treated with most antibiotics.
MRSA can be effectively treated with most antibiotics.
Healthcare professionals can spread MRSA through skin to skin contact and improper hand hygiene.
Healthcare professionals can spread MRSA through skin to skin contact and improper hand hygiene.
A person carrying MRSA may not show any signs or symptoms of infection.
A person carrying MRSA may not show any signs or symptoms of infection.
Changing gloves between patients is not necessary when dealing with MRSA.
Changing gloves between patients is not necessary when dealing with MRSA.
Sepsis is one of the potential symptoms caused by MRSA.
Sepsis is one of the potential symptoms caused by MRSA.
Stress and lack of sleep do not affect a patient's risk of infection.
Stress and lack of sleep do not affect a patient's risk of infection.
Airborne transmission involves pathogens traveling less than 1 meter.
Airborne transmission involves pathogens traveling less than 1 meter.
Certain medications can contribute to an increased risk of infections.
Certain medications can contribute to an increased risk of infections.
Droplet transmission occurs through physical contact with contaminated surfaces.
Droplet transmission occurs through physical contact with contaminated surfaces.
Open wounds can increase a patient's risk of infection.
Open wounds can increase a patient's risk of infection.
The Chain of Infection consists of four main interconnected steps.
The Chain of Infection consists of four main interconnected steps.
Contact transmission can occur through both direct and indirect means.
Contact transmission can occur through both direct and indirect means.
Extreme ages, such as being very young or very old, can reduce infection risk.
Extreme ages, such as being very young or very old, can reduce infection risk.
Isolation precautions are only needed for clients with visible symptoms.
Isolation precautions are only needed for clients with visible symptoms.
Donning PPE requires the use of gloves, gowns, and a fluid-resistant mask when droplet contact precautions are in effect.
Donning PPE requires the use of gloves, gowns, and a fluid-resistant mask when droplet contact precautions are in effect.
Hand hygiene should be performed before and after contact with bodily fluids.
Hand hygiene should be performed before and after contact with bodily fluids.
An N95 mask is not required for airborne precautions as long as the door is kept closed.
An N95 mask is not required for airborne precautions as long as the door is kept closed.
Performing hand hygiene properly can significantly reduce the spread of infection.
Performing hand hygiene properly can significantly reduce the spread of infection.
Washing hands with soap and water should take at least 30 seconds.
Washing hands with soap and water should take at least 30 seconds.
Contact precautions require hand hygiene but not the use of gloves and gowns.
Contact precautions require hand hygiene but not the use of gloves and gowns.
Healthcare workers should minimize splash while washing their hands.
Healthcare workers should minimize splash while washing their hands.
Flashcards
Personal Support Worker (PSW)
Personal Support Worker (PSW)
A healthcare professional who assists individuals with their physical, emotional, and social needs, focusing on daily living activities and providing emotional support.
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
Activities that individuals perform for personal care, such as bathing, dressing, eating, and toileting.
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)
Activities that are more complex and require some cognitive abilities, such as managing finances, cooking, and transportation.
Regulated Healthcare Providers
Regulated Healthcare Providers
Healthcare providers who operate under legal regulations, such as registered nurses and doctors.
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Unregulated Healthcare Providers
Unregulated Healthcare Providers
Healthcare providers who practice without specific legal regulations, such as personal support workers.
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Client-Centered Care
Client-Centered Care
A care approach that centers on the unique needs and preferences of each individual.
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Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving
Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving
The ability to analyze situations critically, identify potential problems, and implement solutions effectively.
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Professional Approach to Support Work
Professional Approach to Support Work
Maintaining a professional demeanor, adhering to ethical standards, and demonstrating respect for clients and colleagues.
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Microorganisms
Microorganisms
Tiny living things that can only be seen with a microscope. Some are beneficial like those used in food production, while others can cause disease.
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Pathogen
Pathogen
An organism that causes disease.
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Non-pathogen
Non-pathogen
An organism that does not cause disease.
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Bacteria
Bacteria
A type of microbe that lives naturally on everything, can be helpful or harmful depending on the type.
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Virus
Virus
A type of microbe that infects and disrupts living cells, they can stay dormant for years and then activate.
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Fungi
Fungi
A type of microbe that lives on organic matter, often found in places like the groin, feet, and skin.
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Parasite
Parasite
A type of microbe that lives off of another living thing, they can be transmitted through contaminated water and food.
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MRO (Multi-resistant organism)
MRO (Multi-resistant organism)
A type of bacteria that is resistant to many antibiotics, making them difficult to treat.
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Multidrug-resistant organism (MRO)
Multidrug-resistant organism (MRO)
A type of bacteria that is resistant to many antibiotics.
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Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE)
Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE)
A strain of bacteria found in the digestive tract that can become resistant to antibiotics.
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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Special clothing and equipment used to protect healthcare workers from microbes.
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How do microbes grow?
How do microbes grow?
Microbes grow best in warm, wet, and dark environments.
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Fungal infections
Fungal infections
Infections caused by fungi, such as athlete's foot and yeast infections.
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Viral infections
Viral infections
Infections caused by viruses, often treated with antiviral medication or vaccination.
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Infection Risk Factors
Infection Risk Factors
Factors that increase the likelihood of developing an infection, particularly in healthcare settings.
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Mode of Transmission
Mode of Transmission
The way a pathogen travels from one person to another.
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Contact Transmission
Contact Transmission
Transmission involving direct physical contact between an infected person and a susceptible person.
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Droplet Transmission
Droplet Transmission
Transmission via respiratory droplets propelled by coughing, sneezing, or talking, typically over a short distance.
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Airborne Transmission
Airborne Transmission
Transmission involving microbes that can travel long distances in air currents, often in evaporated droplets or dust particles.
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Vehicle Transmission
Vehicle Transmission
Transmission through contaminated sources like food, water, medications, medical equipment, and body fluids.
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Chain of Infection
Chain of Infection
The sequence of events required for an infection to develop and spread.
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Reservoir (Chain of Infection)
Reservoir (Chain of Infection)
The environment where a pathogen lives before infecting a person, such as humans, animals, food, water, or objects.
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Isolation Precautions
Isolation Precautions
Extra precautions taken to prevent the spread of infections from a client with a specific pathogen.
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Contact Precautions
Contact Precautions
A type of isolation precaution used for clients infected with pathogens transmitted by direct contact or contact with contaminated surfaces.
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Droplet Precautions
Droplet Precautions
A type of isolation precaution used for clients infected with pathogens that can be spread through respiratory droplets.
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Airborne Precautions
Airborne Precautions
A type of isolation precaution used for clients infected with pathogens that can be spread through the air over long distances.
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Hand Hygiene
Hand Hygiene
The most effective way to prevent the spread of infections in healthcare.
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Hand Washing
Hand Washing
Using soap and water to wash your hands, it should take about 15-20 seconds.
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Hand Sanitation
Hand Sanitation
Using alcohol-based hand rub to disinfect hands after contact with bodily fluids.
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Donning/Doffing PPE
Donning/Doffing PPE
A process that involves putting on and taking off personal protective equipment (PPE) correctly to minimize the risk of contamination.
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MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)
MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)
A type of bacteria that is resistant to many antibiotics, causing infections ranging from mild skin rashes to serious conditions like sepsis, pneumonia, and even flesh-eating disease. It often resides on the skin, in the nose, or gastrointestinal tract, and can be spread through skin contact or contaminated surfaces.
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C. difficile (Clostridium difficile)
C. difficile (Clostridium difficile)
A common bacterial infection that causes diarrhea, particularly in the context of antibiotic use. It thrives when the natural gut bacteria are disrupted by antibiotics, leading to inflammation and discomfort.
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VRE (Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus)
VRE (Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus)
A type of infection caused by bacteria that are resistant to many antibiotics. It is often found in hospitals and long-term care facilities due to a higher risk of transmission among patients.
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PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
The use of protective equipment, such as gloves, masks, gowns, and eye protection, to prevent the spread of infections. This barrier helps reduce the risk of healthcare workers transmitting pathogens from patient to patient.
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Handwashing with soap and water
Handwashing with soap and water
The process of washing hands thoroughly with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds, especially after contact with patients or contaminated surfaces.
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Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer
Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer
Washing hands with alcohol-based hand sanitizer, used as an alternative when soap and water are not available. However, it is less effective than handwashing in killing all types of bacteria.
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MRSA Treatment with Powerful Antibiotics
MRSA Treatment with Powerful Antibiotics
The process of using strong antibiotics to treat MRSA infections. This approach involves multiple antibiotics administered intravenously, aiming to eradicate the resistant bacteria.
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C. difficile Infection
C. difficile Infection
A type of bacterial infection that often causes inflammation in the colon, leading to diarrhea. It can range in severity from mild to life-threatening. The infection often arises from the overuse of antibiotics, which disrupt the natural balance of gut flora.
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Personal Support Worker (PSW) Role
- PSWs provide direct care to elderly, frail, disabled, and chronically ill individuals, helping with daily tasks.
- Tasks include personal needs (bathing, eating, dressing, mobility), emotional support, and monitoring health conditions.
- PSWs communicate with other healthcare professionals to ensure client well-being.
- Communication skills are vital for PSWs, including conversation, friendly demeanor, eye contact, active listening, and demonstrating presence to support mental health and wellness.
PSW Communication Skills
- PSWs should be able to provide conversation, to reduce feelings of isolation and improve overall mental health in clients.
- Maintaining a friendly demeanor, making eye contact and actively listening demonstrably shows support for general mental health and wellness.
- Active listening is crucial to recognize individual client requirements; clients need to be actively listened to in order to understand how to best respond.
PSW Role Objectives (Week 1)
- Definition of the goal of support work
- Identification of the PSW role within healthcare teams
- Outlining PSW responsibilities
- Differentiation between activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs)
- Differentiation between regulated and unregulated healthcare providers
- Explanation of the importance of understanding roles and responsibilities of support work
- Highlighting the significance of maintaining a professional approach to support work
- Listing principles of client-centered care
- Identifying critical thinking and problem-solving considerations
PSW Role Responsibilities
- Assisting and supporting clients and their families, including personal care, home management, and social and recreational activities.
- 24/7 or shift work
- Variety of settings (facility vs. community)
- Cost-effective care in home settings
Qualities of a PSW
- The document does not explicitly list qualities of a PSW.
Week One: Infection Prevention Objectives
- Defining microbes, bacteria, non-pathogens, multiple resistant organisms (MROs), personal protective equipment (PPE), and modes of transmission.
- Describing the infection cycle (risk factors, signs, symptoms, and prevention).
- Describing the chain of infection, differentiating between standard and transmission-based precautions.
- Explaining cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization methods relevant to appropriate precautions.
Microorganisms
- Microbes are life forms visible only through a microscope.
- Bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites are types of microbes; some cause illness, while others are beneficial.
Multidrug-Resistant Organisms (MROs)
- MROs are bacteria resistant to common antibiotics, easily spread in healthcare settings.
- Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) is one example.
- Prevention and protection techniques include handwashing and proper PPE use (gloves).
Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs)
- HAIs are infections resulting from healthcare settings or providers.
- Examples include MRSA, VRE, infections caused by C. difficile (also known as “C-Diff”), and certain types of pneumonia.
- Increased rates of infections like MRSA and VRE are observed.
Risk Factors of Infection in Older Patients
- Immune system weakening with age
- Signs to watch for include confusion, delirium, nasal discharge, cough, incontinence, loss of appetite, decreased ability to perform daily activities (ADLs), increased falls, and changes in mood.
Modes of Transmission
- Contact transmission: Direct or indirect physical contact. Examples include multi-drug resistant organisms (MROs), gastrointestinal infections, and skin infections.
- Droplet transmission: Microbes spread in droplets during coughing or sneezing, covering distances of less than 1 meter. Examples include meningitis, pneumonia, influenza, mumps, and COVID-19.
- Airborne transmission: Microbes dispersed through airborne particles or droplets, with a travel distance greater than 1 meter. Examples include measles, chickenpox, tuberculosis (TB), SARS, and certain types of COVID-19.
- Vehicle transmission: Microbes spread through contaminated objects like food, water, medical equipment, or bodily fluids. Examples include Hepatitis A, B, C, and HIV/AIDS.
Chain of Infection
- The chain of infection has six steps:
- Pathogen: A microbe causing disease.
- Reservoir: Where the pathogen lives.
- Portal of exit: Method of pathogen leaving the reservoir.
- Mode of transmission: How pathogen moves.
- Portal of entry: How pathogen enters a new host.
- Susceptible host: Who can become infected
How Health Care Workers Break the Chain of Infection
- Understanding how infections spread through recognizing modes of transmission (contact, droplet, airborne, and vehicle) points of vulnerability.
- Practicing proper hand hygiene, which includes washing for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or using at least 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves, masks, and gowns.
- Adhering to isolation precautions and infection control guidelines.
- Cleaning and disinfecting equipment and surfaces regularly.
- Proper disposal of waste.
Standard Precautions/Routine Practices
- Standard precautions apply regardless of infection statuses, considering all individuals as potential carriers of pathogens.
- Include precautions against blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, non-intact skin, and mucous membranes.
Transmission-Based Precautions
- Additional precautions for patients with suspected or confirmed infections.
- Tailor measures to specific infectious agents and modes of transmission (contact, droplet, airborne).
- Important for preventing transmission of infection within a healthcare setting
Handwashing and Hand Hygiene
- Necessary for mitigating transmission and the spread of pathogens and infectious agents.
PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
- Gloves: Protect from blood and body fluids during interactions with clients.
- Gowns: Protect clothes and body from blood and bodily fluids.
- Masks: Protect from airborne and droplet transmission.
- Eye protection: Protect from splashes on the eyes.
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