Unit 1-Lesson 5 Infection Control Basics PDF

Unit 1 Prepare to Respond to a Medical Emergency Lesson 5 Infection Control Basics Lesson Goal At the end of this lesson, you will be able to describe the ways criminal justice officers may be exposed to pathogens while performing job-related duties and some practices for reduc- ing and p...

Unit 1 Prepare to Respond to a Medical Emergency Lesson 5 Infection Control Basics Lesson Goal At the end of this lesson, you will be able to describe the ways criminal justice officers may be exposed to pathogens while performing job-related duties and some practices for reduc- ing and preventing risk of infection. Exposure to Pathogens While performing your first-aid duties, you may encounter injured people who are also sick with or are carriers of an infectious disease. Some might display symptoms and others might be asymp- tomatic and show no symptoms. It is important to take steps to prevent infection, regardless of whether you suspect infection or not. ✅ HL215.1. Describe how exposure to pathogens occur when providing emergency first aid Since there is a higher chance of exposure to potentially infectious materials (such as blood) during first aid treatment, knowing how diseases are transmitted and how to minimize your exposure may help keep yourself and everyone safe while still allowing you to do your job with confidence. Some of your other job-related tasks may expose you to substances or materials that contain pathogens—microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses, that cause disease. These tasks could include property searches and confiscation, frisks and custodial searches, any response to resis- tance, crime scene investigation, or inmate transport. There are many types of pathogens, and exposure to them can occur from person-to-person contact, indirectly through the air, or through direct contact with infectious materials that contain pathogens. Potentially infectious materials include things like bodily fluids, tissues, and organs. Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms in human blood that can cause disease. You can be exposed to them through blood from an open wound while providing emergency first aid or from needlesticks and other sharps-related or sharp-device related injuries. Airborne pathogens are microorganisms discharged from an infected person by coughing, sneez- ing, laughing, or close contact. They remain suspended in the air on dust particles, and respiratory and moisture droplets that you may breathe in. 52 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (HL): Volume 2 Bodily fluids are liquids within the human body, such as mucus, saliva, vomit, semen, vaginal secre- tions, and blood. Always regard bodily fluids that you encounter as potentially infectious or contami- nated with pathogens. Staying aware of your community and knowing the ways infectious diseases can spread can help you prepare accordingly. Universal Precautions, Body Substance Isolation (BSI), and Standard Precautions ✅ HL215.2. Describe the importance of universal precautions, body substance isolation (BSI), and standard precautions when providing emergency first aid The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) developed universal precautions as a set of procedures designed to prevent transmission of bloodborne pathogens to first-aid or health-care providers. Universal precautions instruct providers to assume that the blood and bodily fluids of all patients are potentially infectious. Body substance isolation (BSI) goes further than universal precautions, and is the practice of isolating yourself from all body substances (not just blood and bodily fluids) of patients undergoing medical treatment. It is critical in preventing disease transmission. BSI mainly relies on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and practicing personal behaviors that reduce risk. In more recent years, the CDC has recognized the need for new infection control measures to address the spread of airborne pathogens as well as bloodborne pathogens, as many highly infec- tious diseases can be transmitted through air or droplets and not just body substances. These new measures are referred to as standard precautions by the CDC. They include elements of universal precautions and BSI and are meant to apply to the care of all patients, regardless of suspected or known infection status. Like universal precautions and BSI, all bodily fluids (except sweat), bodily waste, and exposed wounds should be treated as potentially infectious under standard precautions. Standard precau- tions emphasize the practice of hand hygiene throughout patient care, not just if hands are visibly soiled or when removing gloves. The role of PPE, such as facial protection, gloves, and protective clothing, is also more important than ever in preventing transmission of airborne and bloodborne pathogens. With standard precautions, the focus is not only on protecting health-care providers from infection, but patients as well, by ensuring that health-care providers do not infect patients during treatment or through contaminated equipment. Refer to your agency’s policy and procedures regarding universal precautions, BSI, and standard precautions. Chapter 2 First Aid for Criminal Justice Officers / 53 Practices to Reduce Risk Hand Hygiene ✅ HL215.3. Describe the importance of practicing hand hygiene to reduce the risk of infection when providing emergency first aid Your hands can come into contact with potentially infectious materials or contaminated surfaces throughout the day. Practicing hand hygiene is one of the best ways to prevent infection and it works by helping to remove or inactivate pathogens and harmful substances that are on your hands. Hand hygiene includes handwashing or hand disinfection with an alcohol-based product. Routinely practice hand hygiene during your work shift and at the end of your shift and whenever you are treating a patient. When washing your hands with antimicrobial or plain soap and water, first wet them with water. Apply soap and rub your hands together vigorously for at least 20 seconds. Lather every part of your hand. Rinse your hands with water, and thoroughly dry them with a disposable towel. Use the towel to turn off the faucet. If your hands are not visibly soiled, and you do not have access to soap and water, use an alcohol- based hand rub or hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol to decontaminate them. Apply the hand sanitizer to one palm and rub your hands together until they are dry. If you have not had contact with blood or other body fluids, consider using sanitizing hand wipes as alternatives to washing with plain soap and water. Use of Personal Protective Equipment ✅ HL215.4. Describe the importance of using personal protective equipment (PPE) when providing emergency first aid Always use appropriate PPE in any emergency where you are providing first aid, as it is a barrier against infection. PPE includes eye protection, gloves, protective clothing (gown or coveralls, sleeves, shoe covers), masks or shields, and biohazard bags. Make sure to practice hand hygiene after removing PPE. Gloves Gloves minimize skin contact with blood or other body fluids. Always use gloves if you expect to have physical contact with someone; if you have skin contact with people who are bleeding or have open sores, rashes, blisters, burns, or other broken skin conditions; and if you have open cuts, sores, burns, rashes, or other broken skin conditions on your hands. Standard precautions apply in any situation where you clean and decontaminate spilled blood or other bodily fluids, handle bodily fluids or blood-contaminated equipment (such as bloody hand- cuffs), or handle containers (such as red or yellow bags) labeled biohazardous or biomedical waste (note that anything that is placed into a red bag is not retrievable). 54 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (HL): Volume 2 How you remove disposable gloves is critical in maintaining BSI and standard precautions. See Figure 2-3 for instructions on using and removing disposable gloves. Follow hand hygiene proce- dures immediately after taking off gloves. ✅ HL215.5. Describe how to put on, properly remove, and discard disposable gloves Figure 2-3 Using and removing disposable gloves Chapter 2 First Aid for Criminal Justice Officers / 55 Facial Protection A filter mask, such as a surgical or respirator mask, can provide protection against airborne patho- gens if worn over both your nose and mouth. Goggles or a face shield and a surgical mask can be used to protect eyes, nose, and mouth from splashes or exposure to body liquids. Maintain PPE Equipment and Supplies ✅ HL215.6. Describe how to maintain equipment and supplies Take proper care of your equipment. As with any other tool you use on the job, be familiar with using and maintaining your medical and safety equipment. If you work with reusable items, clean, disinfect, or sterilize them before the next use. During this process, be sure to wear protective gloves and eyewear, if appropriate. Follow local protocol and department policy when maintain- ing supplies and equipment. Disposal of Biohazardous Wastes ✅ HL215.7. Describe the importance of proper handling of biomedical or biohazard materials to reduce the risk of infection when providing emergency first aid To minimize the danger of bloodborne infections, properly handle and discard materials contami- nated with blood or body fluids and other infectious materials. The procedures you use to handle biomedical or biohazardous wastes must comply with Federal Occupational Safety and Health Admin- istration (OSHA) requirements for identifying and segregating blood or waste material saturated with body fluids. OSHA requires color-coded bags or containers for storing biomedical waste, such as red or yellow bags or containers with the international biohazard symbol. Rigid plastic sharps containers secure used syringes and needles to prevent injuries. Follow local protocol or depart- ment policies for disposal of wastes classified as biomedical or biohazard. On the job practices can reduce your risk of occupational exposure to pathogens. If exposure occurs, report your exposure based on your agency’s policies and procedures. Bloodborne Diseases A disease that can be spread through contamination by blood and other bodily fluids is considered a bloodborne disease. Bloodborne pathogens that are of primary concern include hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). ✅ HL215.8. Describe how to prevent transmission of hepatitis B and hepatitis C when providing emergency first aid Hepatitis B The hepatitis B virus causes hepatitis or inflammation of the liver. Outside occupational settings, sexual contact or sharing contaminated needles (through intravenous drug use) primarily transmits 56 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (HL): Volume 2 the hepatitis B virus. It can also remain infectious in dried bodily fluids for an undetermined time. A person can transmit the disease while asymptomatic or not experiencing obvious symptoms. Hepatitis C Hepatitis C is the most common chronic bloodborne infection in the United States. The hepatitis C virus causes hepatitis C. Direct contact with human blood primarily transmits hepatitis C. This occurs from sharing needles or drug paraphernalia, needle sticks, contaminated sharps, or from an infected person passing it to their child during pregnancy or childbirth. Sexual contact with an infected person can also (rarely) spread the virus. Signs and Symptoms of Hepatitis Signs and symptoms of hepatitis may include flu-like symptoms, fever, body aches, fatigue, loss of appetite, and weakness. Later stages of hepatitis include symptoms such as yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, light colored stool, diarrhea, itchy skin, weight loss, severe liver damage, enlarged and tender abdomen, and even death. Not everyone infected necessarily experiences all these symptoms. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) ✅ HL215.9. Describe how to prevent transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) when providing emergency first aid A bloodborne virus that attacks and weakens the immune system is HIV, which can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Transmission occurs primarily through the following: during unprotected sexual intercourse with an HIV-positive person when sharing contaminated needles from an HIV-positive person to their child during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding direct contact with blood and certain body fluids, such as semen, vaginal or rectal fluids, or breast milk with a detectable viral load Someone who is HIV-positive may show no symptoms initially or have mild flu-like symptoms. The person may also live many years without obvious symptoms. Current HIV medicine may help certain people treat HIV and keep their viral load low so that it is undetectable, allowing them to stay healthy and reduce the risk of transmission. Chapter 2 First Aid for Criminal Justice Officers / 57 Airborne Diseases ✅ HL215.10. Describe ways a criminal justice officer can be exposed to airborne pathogens Any disease that spreads from person to person through the air is an airborne disease. An infected person who talks, sings, coughs, or sneezes into the air, particularly in a relatively confined space, can spread airborne pathogens. These pathogens can enter the body through the nose, throat, sinuses and lungs, affecting the respiratory system. Airborne diseases can require short or prolonged exposure for an infection to occur. For those working in an enclosed correctional environment, a greater opportunity exists for exposure than for other criminal justice personnel. COVID-19 ✅ HL215.11. Describe ways to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission when providing emergency first aid SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes COVID-19. The CDC recommends maintaining physical distance from an infected person, if possible, and practicing proper hand hygiene. Avoid touching your face (eyes, nose, and mouth) with unwashed hands. Follow your agency’s policies and procedures regarding exposure control and wearing face masks. If you have contact with someone confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19, follow the current CDC’s guidelines for EMS along with your agen- cy’s policies and procedures. Signs and Symptoms of COVID-19 COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Infected people have a wide range of symptoms from mild symptoms to severe illness. If you are showing any of the following emergency warn- ing signs—trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, or pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone—seek emergency medical care. Tuberculosis Tuberculosis (TB) is an airborne disease that effects the respiratory system. Brief exposure to a TB source rarely results in infection. TB usually transmits through people who work or live together, sharing close, confined spaces over extended periods of time. Fresh-air and adequate ventilation can reduce the potential for TB to spread. For example, when you transport people who might have TB infection or any other airborne disease, open your vehicle’s windows to allow for maxi- mum ventilation. Signs and Symptoms of Tuberculosis A person with TB disease may have any, all, or none of the following symptoms: feelings of sickness or weakness, fever, weight loss, night sweats, chest pain, and coughing up blood. If you suspect you or someone you know has signs and symptoms of TB disease, seeing a doctor immediately is important. Without treatment, a person can spread the infection and disease to others. 58 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (HL): Volume 2 Other Infectious Diseases MRSA Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is a type of bacteria that is highly contagious and resistant to certain antibiotics. Staph infections, including MRSA, occur most frequently among people in hospitals, health-care facilities, and detention facilities. People are more likely to get an infection if they have contact with open wounds, wound drainage, or nasal secretions of a person infected with MRSA. Signs and symptoms of a skin infection can be a wound site that is red, swollen, or painful, or an area that is warm to the touch or is draining pus. The site may look like a spider bite, pimple, or boil, and the person may have a fever. ✅ HL215.12. Describe how to prevent transmission of MRSA when providing emergency first aid Follow these precautions to avoid transmission of MRSA: Shower with soap and water as soon as possible after direct contact with an open sore and use a clean, dry towel. Do not share equipment, towels, soap, or any personal care items. Do not share drinking containers. Do not share ointments, creams, or eye drops. Keep your hands away from your nose, mouth, and eyes. Keep all skin wounds completely covered with a bandage. Wash towels, equipment, uniforms, and any other laundry in hot water and detergent daily. Hepatitis A ✅ HL215.13. Describe how to prevent transmission of hepatitis A when providing emergency first aid The hepatitis A virus causes hepatitis A. It is highly infectious, but is preventable with isolation precautions and appropriate PPE. While hepatitis B and hepatitis C are spread through contact with blood and bodily fluids, hepatitis A is primarily spread through person-to-person contact through fecal contamination and oral ingestion. Poor personal hygiene, poor sanitation, and intimate contact facilitate transmission. Common-source epidemics from contaminated food and water also occur. Chapter 2 First Aid for Criminal Justice Officers / 59