Infectious Disease and Control Flashcards
define contamination
the presence of a potentially infectious agent on a body surface or on any other contact surface or object.
define decontamination
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
define disinfection
the process used to inactivate virtually all recognized pathogenic microorganisms but not necessarily all microbial forms. disinfection is not the same as sterilization.
define indection control coordinator
staff member in the infection control office responsible for managing the infection control program
define infection control officer
staff member in the infection control office responsible for coordinating the efforts surrounding the investigation of an exposure.
what are universal precautions
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.
when shall masks be worn
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.
how shall hands be washed after completing a run, record, or cleaning the ambulance?
hands shall be washed for a minimum of 20 seconds after each pt contact, prior completing a run record, etc….
how shall contaminated hands and skin surfaces be washed?
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.
when is a person considered to be immune to hep b?
when a person has antibody levels >= 10 MIU/ML
who shall the member notify after sustaining a direct or indirect exposure to non-intact skin?
EMS Sr. Supervisor, station captain, and infection control officer.
what re the intervals for follow up testing for RPR?
6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months
what are the intervals for follow up testing for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C?
6 weeks, 3months, 6 months, and 1 year
what is the mode of transmission for bacterial meningitis and also, what is the incubation period for bacterial meningitis?
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.
can bacterial meningitis be transmitted if the active disease process is not present?
no
what are procedures that put members at risk of bacterial meningitis if appropriate ppe is not worn?
examination of the throat intubation suctioning CPR anything involving oral airway
what are some symptoms of bacterial meningitis
sudden onset of fever intense headache nausea and vomiting stiff neck petechial rash with pink macules delirium and coma
what is the incubation period for tuberculosis
2-10 weeks
what is the mode of transmission for tuberculosis
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.
what should a member do if he feels he has been exposed to TB?
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.
what is the mode of transmission and the incubation period for chickenpox?
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.
what is the mode of transmission and the incubation period for mumps, measles, rubella?
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.
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?
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.
Once the station captain fills out the form 51 into Cambridge integrated services and receives a claim nbr what shall he do?
fax the completed form to the hfd risk management office.
