Patient Safety Flashcards
Post-exposure prophylaxis is most effective when administered when?
Reported within hours as initiation of post-
exposure prophylaxis (PEP) most effective if
administered in the first 24-36 hours after
exposure.
- Continued for 4 weeks; retest at 6 and 12 weeks and again at 6 months
How many air exchanges/hr
what is the minimum of fresh air?
Pressure in room is POSITIVE –> air flow from ceiling and exhaust near floor
MINIMUM OF 20 air exchanges/hr with a minimum of 4 which must be fresh
What is the maintained HUMIDITY ?
What is the ideal humidity level to achieve minimal static and also reduce microbial growth?
Usually maintained between 50-65%
_The ideal humidity level to achieve minimal static
and also reduce microbial growth is 50% to 53%._
- No longer as strict with adherence because of abandonmentof explosive anesthetics
- Humidity too high
- Damp or moist supplies; inc. incidence of contamination
- Humidity too low
- Excessive bacteria carrying dust in environment.
- Incr. incidence of static discharges –> microshock
- Grounded strips on OR floors to prevent static shocks and fire
Pharmacopeia of the United States or National Formulary
Regulates purity of cylinders
NGA: Non-governmental agency
U.S. Department of Transportation
- Regulates storage and transportation of compressed gases
- Cylinders inspected every 10 years
National Fire Prevention Association (NGA)
Compressed Gas Association
Safe Medical Devices Act
CDC
What are the voluntary standards?
What are the allowable trace gas measurement?
N20 only
Halogenated agents alone?
Halogenated agents with N2O (25 ppm) : 0.5 ppm over 1 hours
Trace gas measurements
Measured in parts per million:
1 ppm= 1% of 1,000,000 = 10,000 parts
‘of’ means multiply
Allowable standards :
- N2O only:25ppm (8-hour time weighted average)
- Halogenated agents alone: 2ppm over 1 hour
- Halogenated agent with N2O (25 ppm): 0.5 ppm over 1 hour
–>Advent of scavenging systems
Hospital biomed dept or external contractors
sample air every 3-6 months
OSHAs recommendation for exposure to Methylmethacrylate (MMA)
OSHA recommended exposure level is 100 ppm in 8 hours
- Scavenging and air exchange systems reduce concentrations by 75%
- Air concentrations > 170 ppm over 8 hours associated with chronic
liver, lung, kidney damage
How can you get an electric shock?
Body contact with two conductive materials at
different voltage potentials may complete a circuit
and result in an electrical shock
What is Ohm’s law?
EQUIPEMENT PLUGGED IN BUT NOT TURENED ON..
“STRAY CAPACITANCE”
Also called ground falut detectors
What is macro shocks?
when will you sense it?
what is maximal harmless current?
Occurs when electricity enters and exists thru skin (lightening bolt);
gross amount of current applied to dry intact skin that can cause harm
or death
First sense at 1 milliamp
>5 mA
– anything greater than 10 - 20 cause a problem
What is Microshock?
requires lower shock to cause problems
goes directly to myocardium
60Hz most recommended in the OR
What is the ALARA principle?
As Low As Reasonably Achievable
time, distance, shielding
double the distance away it cuts your exposure the 1/4
6 feets minimum distance away from the Xray
What is your annual occupational exposure?
How about pregnancy?
