Infectious Disease and Control

Question 1

define contamination

Answer 1

the presence of a potentially infectious agent on a body surface or on any other contact surface or object.

Question 2

define decontamination

Answer 2

the use of physical or chemical means to remove, inactivate, or destroy blood borne, airborne, or food borne pathogens on a surface or item to the point of incapability of transmitting infectious particles

Question 3

define disinfection

Answer 3

the process used to inactivate virtually all recognized pathogenic microorganisms but not necessarily all microbial forms. disinfection is not the same as sterilization.

Question 4

define indection control coordinator

Answer 4

staff member in the infection control office responsible for managing the infection control program

Question 5

define infection control officer

Answer 5

staff member in the infection control office responsible for coordinating the efforts surrounding the investigation of an exposure.

Question 6

what are universal precautions

Answer 6

recommendations issused by the cdc to minimize the risk of transmission of blood borne pathogens, particularly hiv, and hep b, by health care and public safety workers. barrier precautions (gloves, goggles, gowns,mask) are to be used to prevent exposure to certain blood and certain body fluids of all patients.

Question 7

when shall masks be worn

Answer 7

masks shall be worn when there is suspicion that an individual may have an airborne transmissible disease to protect mucous membranes whenever there is an opportunity for gross splatter or splash of blood or OPIM.

Question 8

how shall hands be washed after completing a run, record, or cleaning the ambulance?

Answer 8

hands shall be washed for a minimum of 20 seconds after each pt contact, prior completing a run record, etc….

Question 9

how shall contaminated hands and skin surfaces be washed?

Answer 9

contaminated hands and skin surfaces shall be washed with soap and water, or other approved agent by lathering the skin and vigorously scrubbing all lathered surfaces for at least 30 seconds, followed by re-lathering and scrubbing all surfaces for 60 seconds then rinsing under running water.

Question 10

when is a person considered to be immune to hep b?

Answer 10

when a person has antibody levels >= 10 MIU/ML

Question 11

who shall the member notify after sustaining a direct or indirect exposure to non-intact skin?

Answer 11

EMS Sr. Supervisor, station captain, and infection control officer.

Question 12

what re the intervals for follow up testing for RPR?

Answer 12

6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months

Question 13

what are the intervals for follow up testing for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C?

Answer 13

6 weeks, 3months, 6 months, and 1 year

Question 14

what is the mode of transmission for bacterial meningitis and also, what is the incubation period for bacterial meningitis?

Answer 14

maybe transmitted by direct contact to an infected person (kissing ,CPR), including respiratory by large droplets of an infected person that are expelled into the air (cough, sneeze). These droplets do not linger in the air or travel far (3 feet).The incubation period is 2-10 days, commonly 3-4 days.

Question 15

can bacterial meningitis be transmitted if the active disease process is not present?

Answer 15

no

Question 16

what are procedures that put members at risk of bacterial meningitis if appropriate ppe is not worn?

Answer 16

examination of the throat
intubation
suctioning
CPR
anything involving oral airway

Question 17

what are some symptoms of bacterial meningitis

Answer 17

sudden onset of fever
intense headache
nausea and vomiting
stiff neck
petechial rash with pink macules
delirium and coma

Question 18

what is the incubation period for tuberculosis

Answer 18

2-10 weeks

Question 19

what is the mode of transmission for tuberculosis

Answer 19

may be transmitted by airborne droplet nuclei, microscopic particles expelled (coughing, sneezing, singing) from an infected person that can stay in the air a long time and travel long distances on air currents.

Question 20

what should a member do if he feels he has been exposed to TB?

Answer 20

It is not necessary to receive a hospital evaluation for a TB exposure. Members who feel they have been exposed to TB should come to the infection control office within 10 days following exposure for baseline skin testing, and tested again 12 weeks later.

Question 21

what is the mode of transmission and the incubation period for chickenpox?

Answer 21

may be transmitted by direct contact to the oozing skin lesion, inanimate object contaminated by the lesion, or respiratory route via droplet. the incubation period is about 2-3 weeks, commonly 14-16 days. immunization should be received within 72 hours of exposure.

Question 22

what is the mode of transmission and the incubation period for mumps, measles, rubella?

Answer 22

airborne or droplet spread and by direct contact with nasal or throat secretions of infected person. incubation period averages 10-14 days. immunization should be received within 72 hours of exposure.

Question 23

if you suspect you were exposed to HIV, how many days after the exposure do you have to get a test in order to qualify for worker’s compensation benefits?

Answer 23

not later than the tenth day after exposure and must provide their employer with documentation of the test and a sworn affidavit of the date and circumstance of the exposure.

Question 24

Once the station captain fills out the form 51 into Cambridge integrated services and receives a claim nbr what shall he do?

Answer 24

fax the completed form to the hfd risk management office.