Universal Safety Precautions in Healthcare | PDF

AT-ATF II 202 L 1 Universal Safety Measures Nithin Raj MSc AT February 11, 2025 www.gmu.ac.ae CoHS COLLEGE OF ALLIED HEALTH Learning Outcomes-...

AT-ATF II 202 L 1 Universal Safety Measures Nithin Raj MSc AT February 11, 2025 www.gmu.ac.ae CoHS COLLEGE OF ALLIED HEALTH Learning Outcomes- After completion of the Lecture, the student will be able to discuss about Standard safety precautions Hand wash, gloving and gowning Use of cap, mask, eye and footwear Waste disposal Needle stick injuries Recommendations for universal safety precautions  What are universal precautions ?? Universal precautions are the practices used to protect yourself from contact with another person's bloodborne and body fluids pathogens, which can be spread either directly or indirectly. Pathogens can enter the body through :  Respiration  Skin (needles, wounds)  Eyes  Mouth  Nose  Sexual transmission  Continue… Respiration - Through inhalation of airborne pathogens such as viruses (e.g., flu, COVID-19) or bacteria (e.g., tuberculosis) Skin - Through cuts, wounds, or insect bites, where pathogens can enter the bloodstream (e.g., tetanus, malaria). Eyes - Pathogens can enter through conjunctiva, causing infections like pink eye (conjunctivitis) Mouth - By ingestion of contaminated food or water (e.g., Salmonella, norovirus). Nose - Pathogens can enter through the nasal passages (e.g., common cold viruses).  Sexual transmission - Through sexual contact with infected individuals (e.g., HIV, gonorrhea).  What are blood borne pathogens?  Bloodborne pathogens are infectious microorganisms in human blood and some body fluids or secretions that can cause diseases such as:  Hepatitis B virus (HBV)  Hepatitis C virus (HCV) Human immune deficiency virus (HIV) What are the body fluid that can be infectious?  Blood Feces Urine Respiratory secretions (Nasal discharge) Semen Vaginal secretions "Essential Universal Precautions for Patient safety and Infection Control" Applied universally in caring for all patients Hand washing Decontamination of equipment and devices Use and disposal of needles and sharps safely (no recapping) Wearing protective items Prompt cleaning up of blood and body fluid spills Systems for safe collection of waste and disposal 8 Handwashing Use alcohol gel unless hands are visibly soiled as it is faster, more effective (if done properly) and better tolerated. Use soap and water if hands are visibly dirty, soiled with blood or other body fluids or after using the toilet. Hand washing Indications BEFORE:  Starting Work  Examining a Patient  Administering an Injection  Handling Disinfected Instruments  Putting on Gloves  Going Home  If outbreaks of spore-forming organisms (e.g., Clostridium difficile) are suspected, or specific precautions are in place at the patient (e.g., patients with vomiting or diarrheal illness) or ward level, soap and water should be used for hand hygiene, as alcohol-based gels are ineffective against spores. Effective handwashing requires attention of technique to ensure that all areas are thoroughly covered. Palm to palm Palm to dorsum (both hands) Palm to palm with fingers interlaced Backs of fingers to opposing palms  Rotational rubbing of thumbs in clasped palm Rotational rubbing, backwards and forwards with clasped fingers of hand in palm The hands must be allowed to dry Gloves Gloves must be worn for: invasive procedures; contact with sterile sites, non-intact skin or mucous membranes; and Activities assessed as high risk of exposure to: blood, body fluids;  secretions; or  sharp/contaminated instruments. Aprons Disposable plastic aprons are single-use items intended to reduce contamination of clothing. As with many aspects of infection control, their benefit may arise from awareness of the need to keep clean rather than a strong effect of their own. Rationale for using Barriers 19 20 21 Selection of Protective Barriers 23 "Needle-stick injury”: Fact Needle-stick injuries expose you to a number of blood borne pathogens that can cause serious or even fatal infections. The most serious health risks are: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) Hepatitis C virus (HCV) Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Procedure for safe handling of sharps Needles must never be recapped Staff must obtain assistance when taking blood or giving injections to uncooperative or confused patients Never carry sharps by the hand , if transporting always place in an appropriate container Needles must never be broken or bent prior to disposal Needles must never be passed from hand to hand when performing phlebotomy , cannulation or giving injections , all staff must wear appropriate disposable gloves Never re-use a sharp  Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all healthcare workers. HBV vaccine has proved highly effective in preventing infection in workers exposed to HBV. However, no vaccine exists to prevent HCV or HIV infection. “Preventing needle-stick injuries is the best way to protect yourself from these deadly infections” Fact What is the risk of getting infected if get stuck with a needle used on an infected patient? The figures are easy to remember: It is the rule of the “3”s. For hepatitis B, the risk is approximately 30%. For hepatitis C, the risk is approximately 3%. For HIV, the risk is approximately 0.3%. Fact Who is at risk of needle-stick injury? Any worker who may come into contact with needles is at risk, including Anesthesia Technologist, nursing staff, lab workers, doctors, housekeeping staff and sanitation workers. Fact How common are needle-stick injuries? Needlestick injuries are relatively common in healthcare settings. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is estimated that approximately **385,000** needlestick and other sharps-related injuries occur each year among healthcare workers in the United States alone. These injuries pose significant risks of exposure to bloodborne pathogens such as HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. The actual frequency can vary depending on the type of healthcare facility, the type of work performed, and adherence to safety protocols, but the overall prevalence highlights the importance of proper safety measures, such as the use of safety-engineered needles, safe disposal practices, and training for healthcare workers. DANGER! Fact Needle-stick injuries are most often associated with the following activities: Recapping needles Transferring a body fluid between containers using needles Failing to dispose of used needles properly in a puncture- proof safety box References 1. Clinical Anesthesia Barash, P. G., Cullen, B. F., & Stoelting , R. K. (2017). Clinical Anesthesia (8th ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 2. Millers Anesthesia Miller, R. D., Eriksson, L. I., Fleisher, L. A., Wiener-Kronish , J. P., & Young, D. E. (2020). Miller’s Anesthesia (9th ed.). Elsevier. 3. Anesthesia and Analgesia , O'Hara, P. S. N. M. (2020). Anesthesia and Analgesia (3rd ed.). Elsevier. 4. Essentials of Anesthesia , Blackbourne, L. H. (2015). Essentials of Anesthesia (2nd ed.). Elsevier. References