Exam 1 - PPE Flashcards
What is PPE?
Personal protective equipment
Equipment worn to minimize exposure to serious workplace hazards
Why do we wear PPE?
Illness/injury can result from the following hazards:
- chemical
- radiological
- physical
- electrical
- mechanical
(PRE CM)
Examples of PPE (longer list)
Safety glasses
Full bodysuits
Respirators
Earplugs/earmuffs
Shoes/shoe covers
Hard hats
Coveralls
Gloves
Vests
(Selling FRESH Cut Green Vegetables)
Who can mandate the use of PPE?
OSHA and employers
Does PPE protect the wearer or the patient?
BOTH
When MUST employers provide proper PPE?
When engineering, work practices, and administrative controls are not feasible or not providing enough protection to the employee
Employers MUST ensure proper use of PPE. What is included in “proper use?”
Correct fit
Comfortability
PPE stores & maintained correctly
Why must PPE fit correctly?
Improper fit can cause dangerous exposures
Why is comfortability included in proper use of PPE?
Encourages employee use
(Think about how many people refuse to wear masks right because it’s uncomfortable)
Employer requirements regarding PPE
Train employees who are required to use PPE
Training should be done on an annual basis (usually part of OSHA training)
PPE programs should be used to address certain points
What should employees who are required to use PPE be trained on?
When to use
What type of PPE is needed
How to properly don/doff PPE
Correct storage and disposal of PPE
Limitations of the equipment
(Look What Happens With Coke)
What should PPE programs address?
Potential hazards
Selection/maintenance/use of PPE
Training of employees
Monitoring
(Meet Some People Today)
Types of PPE (shorter list)
Face shields
Respirators
Gloves
Gowns/aprons
Goggles
Masks
(Feeling Really Great + Getting Good Money)
What do respirators protect?
Protect respiratory tract from airborne infectious agents
Key points about PPE
Don PPE before contact w/ patient — preferably before entering the pt room
Use carefully & don’t spread contamination
Remove & discard carefully at room doorway or immediately outside the room — remove respiratory outside the room
HAND HYGIENE
When should hand hygiene be performed (in relation to PPE)?
Immediately after removing PPE
If hands are visibly contaminated during PPE removal, wash hands BEFORE removing any other PPE
Hand hygiene after PPE is removed
Wash hands w/ soap and water or use alcohol-based hand rub
Important to ensure hand hygiene facilities are readily available at the locations needed
What are standard precautions?
Recommends the use of PPE & other infection control practices to prevent tranmission
Previously called “universal precautions”
What do standard precautions assume could be infectious?
Blood and bodily fluids of ANY patient
How is the type of PPE to be used determined?
By the clinical interaction w/ the patient
Standard precaution recommendations
Perform hand hygiene
Use PPE whenever there is the expectation of possible exposure to infectious material
Follow respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette guidelines
Ensure proper pt placement (ie isolation precautions)
Properly handle, clean, and disinfect pt care devices/instruments
Handle textiles and laundry carefully
Follow safe injection practices
(He’s Feeling Pretty Fucking Ugly, Putrid Even)
What type of PPE would you wear when transporting a pt in a wheelchair?
Generally none
(You aren’t even touching them so it’s fine)
What type of PPE would you wear when responding to an emergency situation w/ bloody injuries?
Fluid resistant gloves
Mask/goggles or face shield
(Gloves for obvious reasons and mask/goggles in case of splashing)
What type of PPE would you wear when cleaning an incontinent pt w/ diarrhea?
Gloves
(Realistically, it should only touch your hands)