Precautions & Asepsis Flashcards
define UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS
precautions from CDC to prevent HIV/HepB/blood-borne pathogens
what does the universal precaution state
consider all blood/bodily fluids contaminated
define STANDARD PRECAUTIONS
from CDC to provide safety & welfare of providers & public about health care standards
list some standard precautions
- handwash before & after procedure
- wear gloves
- bandage all skin breaks
- wash any skin when contact w/fluid
- don’t work w/patients if you have skin condition
- no eating/drinking
- PPE
- clean up spills immediately
- immediately discard sharps
- dispose all waste properly
define OSHA’s BLOOD-BORNE PATHOGEN STANDARD
employers need to have written exposure plan; choose safer needles & involve employees in choosing needles
define OSHA’S EXPOSURES CONTROL PLAN
written plan updated annually to eliminate/reduce exposure to blood pathogens
list the components of exposure control plan
- engineering controls
- work practice controls
- PPE
- hepatitis B
- post exposure follow up
- labels & signs
- information & training to employees
- documented employee medical & training records
define ENGINEERING CONTROLS
devices to isolate/remove blood pathogen from workplace
give examples of engineering controls
sharps container, self-sheathing needles, safer medical devices, needleless systems
define WORKPLACE PRACTICE CONTROLS
changes how tasks are done to reduce exposure
give examples of work practice controls
handwashing sharps, lab specimen packaging, laundry
define the Hepatitis B part of the exposure control plan
have to be available to all within 10 days
give examples of post-exposure follow up
lab test, evaluation, identity & test individual source, blood test, post-exposure prophylaxis, & counseling
where should signs/labels be according to exposure control plan
regulated waste, fridge, freezer
According to CDC, what should be done when exposed to blood
- wash needlesticks & cuts w/soap & water
- flush splashes to nose/mouth/skin with water
- irrigate eyes w/clean water/saline/sterile irrigation
what is the OSHA requirement for surface disinfection
1:10 bleach solution/EPA approved disinfectant
define REGULATED WASTE
has liquid/semi liquid blood, OPIM that releases blood, or OPIM in liquid/semi liquid state if compressed
define OPIM
Other Potentially Infectious Materials
how should regulated waste be disposed
red biohazard bag w/biohazard label
laundry can be contaminated but transmission is ______
minimal
what is the best way to prevent microorganism
handwashing
how long should hands be washed
20 sec
list circumstances when people should wash their hands
- after seeing each patient
- before & after eating
- before & after bathroom
- after blowing nose/cough/sneeze
- after touching garbage
- before & after handling specimen or soiled/contaminated amterial
- after removing gloves
lotion with ______ or _____ should be avoided because it breaks down latex & intensifies reactions to latex
petroleum, mineral oil content
what lotion should be used
water-based w/no perfume
list the reasons to don gloves
- protection & prevent contamination w/blood or fluid
- reduce pathogens from you to pt
- reduce pathogens from pt to pt
list steps of sanitization
- rinse in cool water
- soak in warm detergent solution for 20 min
- wash & scrub w/brush all serrations, grooves, & hinges
- rinse in warm-hot water
- dry completely
are spores killed with disinfection
no
what is generally disinfected
large instruments, scopes, & heat-sensitive items that can’t go in autoclave
what are the 3 levels of disinfection
low, intermmediate, & high
give examples of low level disinfectants
household bleach & isopropyl alcohol
what would you use low level disinfectants for
items that touch only intact skin (stethoscope/table)
give examples of intermediate level disinfectants
ethyl/isopropyl alcohol
what should you use intermediate level disinfectants for
items that touch nonintact skin & mucous membranes (thermometers & ear speculums)
give examples of high level disinfectants
glutaraldehyde-based formulas, orthophthaladehyde, peracetic acid, chlorine dioxide, electrolytically generated hypochlorous acid
what should you use high level disinfectants for
endoscopes & laryngoscopes
which asepsis process destroys spores
sterilization
what is the shelf life for sterilized items
30 days
what are the different methods of sterilization
autoclave, chemical, dry heat
which is the most common method of sterilization
autoclave
list steps/tips to wrapping items for autoclave
- wrap in double-thickness porous autoclave paper/cloth wrap
- separate multiple items wrapped together w/gauze
- wrap snugly
list the steps to sterilizing something with chemical sterilization
- thoroughly clean in detergent
- brush
- thoroughly dry
- submerge item in chemical sterilant (high level disinfectant) for recommended time, keeping hinges & handles open & cover container of sterilant
dry heat sterilization is used for what
dry heat
why is dry heat sterilization gen not favorable
time-consuming, spores not completely eliminated, not for rubber items
