Chapter 3- Wellness And Saftey Of The Emergency Medical Responder Flashcards
Baseline health status
A preemployment medical examination to determine overall health status prior to beginning a job
Standard precautions
Steps to take to protect against exposure to body fluids
Universal precautions
A component of standard precautions that involves the philosophy that all patients are considered infectious until proven otherwise
Body substance isolation (BSI)
Practice using specific personal protective equipment to minimize contact with a patients blood and body fluids
OSHA
Us occupational safety and health administration
NFPA
National fire protection association
Exposure
A condition of being subjected to a fluid or substance capable of transmitting an infectious agent
Four ways they can enter the body: Ingestion Injection Absorption Inhalation
Infection
The condition in which the body is invaded by a disease causing agent
Pathogen
A disease causing organism such as a virus or bacterium
Personal protective equipment
PPE
Equipment such as gloves, masks, eyewear, gown, turnout gear, and help that protects rescuers from infection and/or from exposure to hazardous materials and the dangers of rescue operations
CDC
Center for disease and control prevention
4 diseases of most fiber to emergency medical responders
HIV
Hepatitis
Tuberculosis
Meningitis
Employee responsibilities
Washing hands regularly
Using gloves and other personal protective equipment
Making safe work practices a habit
Following an exposure
Exposure to skin- immediately wash area with warm water and soap
Exposure to eyes- flush with clean water for 20min
Document details of exposure on appropriate form included in your employers exposure control plan
Report the exposure to administrator
Schedule a medical evaluation
Hazardous materials incident
The release of a harmful substance into the environment also called a hazmat incident
Stressor
Any emotional or physical demand that causes stress
Burnout
An extreme emotional state characterized by emotional exhaustion, a diminished sense of personal accomplishment and cynicism
Signs and symptoms of stress
Insomnia Heart disease Alcohol abuse Increased incident of illnesses or disruptive responses Less well at work and relationships with others Irritability with family, friends and co worker Inability to concentrate Changes in daily activities Difficulty sleeping or nightmares Loss of appetite Loss of interest in sexual activity Anxiety Indecisiveness Guilt Isolation Loss of interest in work Constipation Diarrhea Headaches Nausea Hypertension
Death and dying stages
The denial stage The anger stage The bargaining stage The depression stage The acceptance stage
Help when confronted with grieving friends and family members
Recognize patient needs
Remain tolerant
Listen empathetically
Do not give false hope or reassurance
Critical incident stress management
CISM
A broad based approach involving several strategies designed to help emergency personnel cope with critical incident stress
Critical incident stress debriefing (CISD)
A formal process in which teams of professional and peer counselor provide emotional and psychological support to those who have been involved in a critical incident
