Unit 3 Lesson 3: Safety MEasures Flashcards
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is the next measure that you need to pay attention to. But how do you know what to wear and when to wear it? There are three factors to consider when choosing what PPE you need to wear:
anticipated exposure, durability and appropriateness, and proper fit. All three factors need to be taken into consideration for PPE to work properly and protect you from exposure.
Why is anticipating exposure important
. Anticipating the exposure type is important, such as touch, splashes or sprays, or large volumes of blood or fluids that could penetrate clothing.
Why is choosing the appropriate type of garment important
When choosing the appropriate type of garment, consider whether it needs to be fluid-resistant or fluid-proof and what parts of the body it will need to protect.
Why is fit important
Fit is then important—a too large or too small PPE will cause the user to be awkward and can expose parts of the body easily.
What is the most common PPE in healthcare
In healthcare, gloves are the most common PPE that you will use.
Use of powder in gloves
Powder used to be used in gloves to make them easier to get on, but the powder was banned by the FDA in 2017 because it caused irritation in patients and healthcare workers.
Latex glvoes
Latex allergies are common, so many facilities have also moved away from using latex.
How should gloves fit
Gloves need to fit snugly around the wrist and be comfortable to be most protective. They should not tear or damage easily.
Why kind of gloves are used for sugery
For surgical or any invasive procedures, special sterile gloves are used, and there are times when workers need to wear double gloves for surgery.
Glove Use Best Practices: Work from clean to dirty
Touch clean body sites or surface areas before you touch dirty areas. This is a basic principle for all infection control practices.
Glove Use Best Practices: Avoid “touch contamination”
Soiled gloves should not touch anything else—your face, a surface, a light switch, a door knob. It is easy to forget and touch your own face or another person, but you have to be completely aware of the contact that contaminated gloves make with anything. Don’t adjust your glasses, brush your hair out of your eyes, or touch anything else when you are wearing soiled gloves.
Glove Use Best Practices: Change gloves when needed
If gloves become torn or heavily soiled, change them immediately—don’t wait until you are done with the patient. Always change gloves between patients.
Discard used gloves properly
Never wash and reuse patient gloves—discard them in the appropriate receptacle. Washing gloves does not remove all the microorganisms and it can make the gloves prone to tearing or leaking.
When covering the body is necessary, what kind of gown should one use
When covering the body is necessary, choose a gown that covers the arms and fits snugly at the wrists if there is any possibility of contamination on the arms.
What can an apron be used
An apron can be used for procedures where there is no risk of fluid contact with the arms.
Cotton gowns VS spun synthetic gowns
Cotton gowns can be laundered and reused, while spun synthetic gowns are disposable.
If fluid penetration is likely what kind of apron should be used
a fluid-resistant gown should be used.
“Clean” gowns are generally used, but in the case of invasive procedures like inserting a central line, what kind of gown is needed
“Clean” gowns are generally used, but in the case of invasive procedures like inserting a central line, a sterile gown is needed.
How should mask be worn
Masks should cover the mouth and nose fully, plus fit snugly—ties or elastic bands that fit around the head help. In addition, masks should keep fluids from penetrating.
How should barrier protection be worn
Barrier protection for the eyes can be provided by goggles, which fit snugly completely around the eyes. Prescription lenses are not enough protection from spraying fluids—goggles must be worn over glasses. Anti-fogging goggles are the best.
When is a face sheild used
When it is imperative to protect the skin as well as mucous membranes, use a face shield that covers from forehead to below the chin, plus around the sides of the face. Face shields are needed when irrigating a wound or suctioning considerable secretions.
While we are discussing PPE, let’s talk about respiratory protection, which is necessary under airborne transmission precautions. What are respirators
respirators—devices worn over the mouth and nose to filter out hazardous substances such as pathogens or noxious chemicals—will need to be used along with other PPE. Respirators come with different levels of filtration for specific sized particles
PPE how to get suited correctly: Gown
First, pick an appropriate gown. Put it on with the opening facing the back. If gown is too small, wear two, with the first opening in the front, and the second on top with the opening to the back.
PPE how to get suited correctly: Mask/respirator
Hold the mask over nose and mouth, then secure ties or elastics behind head. After choosing the correct respirator, secure according to manufacturer directions and then fit test. Make any adjustments to secure face protection now so you don’t need to touch your face later.
PPE how to get suited correctly: Goggles/face shield
Position goggles over eyes or face shield onto forehead. Secure with earpieces or headband. Adjust for comfort.
PPE how to get suited correctly: Gloves
Put gloves on last. Pick the right size and type of gloves. Insert hands into gloves and pull over wrists. If wearing a gown, pull gloves up over the cuffs of the gown.
