Week 5- PPE and Communicable Disease Flashcards
What is universal precautions?
- Is the process of assessing the risk in a given situation and then taking steps to reduce the risk of exposure
What are the communicable diseases?
- Bloodborne diseases
- Spread via Respiratory System
- Spread vis Fecal Oral Route
- Direct Contact
Blood Borne Diseases
- You will most commonly come in to contact with: Hep C & HIV/ AIDS
- Rarely come in to contact with: Hep B & Ebola
- Dispatcher will “screen” the caller. If the caller falls, only one Paramedic in proper PPE will enter the scene to assess the pt.
- This paramedic will stay 2m away from the pt. during “Point of Care” assessment for EVD
- If suspected EVD pt then the paramedic will consult with ID Physician
What does the medic do for Blood Borne Diseases?
PPE:
- P100 (N95 minimal)
- Face shield
- Double glove
- 1 pc Coverall suit
- Booties/ Gown “Impermeable full body”
Communicable Diseases- Respiratory Tract Infections
- Common cold
- Influenza
- Measles
- Whooping cough (pertussis)
- Diphtheria
- Chickenpox
- Tuberculosis (malayalam)
Droplets & Respiratory Illness (Airborne)
Spread of “Respiratory” disease can occur through resp droplets & aerosol
- Large droplets: drop to the ground quickly (secs-mins)
- May last on objects for hours to days depending on conditions
Singing/ coughing/ sneezing/ shouting/ talking
- smaller droplets: aerosols can linger in the air based on conditions
Infectious Droplets
Comes into contact with mucous membranes of another person: nose/ mouth/ eyes/ inhaled
Touch: when you get the virus on your hands & then touch your mouth/ nose/ eyes with “unwashed” hands
Poor ventilation locations: aerosol may be suspended longer & then inhaled by others not wearing facial protection
Protective Equipment Available
- Gloves: non latex provides protection, however you still need to wash your hands
- Gowns: are good for suspected outbreaks (should remove gown before getting into the front of the vehicle & gloves)
- Masks
- Protective eyewear: should be worn on all calls involving advanced airway management/ vomiting pt’s, infectious diseases (airborne or body fluids)
- Isolation suits: worn anytime transporting a pt with a confirmed communicable blood borne (ebola)/ chemo spill (cover entire uniform head to toe
Surgical Masks
- Protects nose & mouth from droplets, splashes, sprays that may contain germs
- Filter out larger particles in the air
- Protects the wearer & or others the wearer may be talking to or around
- Must be worn on all calls
N95
- Paramedics must be sized every 2 years or if weight loss/ gain
- Facial hair is still an issue may not allow for a good fit
- Must be worn for any calls involving possible infectious disease/ coughing pt’s/ or when performing resp procedures
- CPR/ BVM/ or confirmed condition ie. Covid19
- Should be removed without contaminating your hands
N95 VS P100
-“N” means not oil resistant
- 95 means this mask removes 95% of all particles that are at least 0.3microns in diameter
- Bodily Fluid Exposure ie. chemo pt. sick 7 days post tx
- Protects from 95% of small particles Covid19
-“P” means oil proof
- 100 means this mask removes 99.97% of all particles that are 0.3microns in diameter or larger. Worn for chemo spills & ebola virus calls
Donning PPE
- Worn for confirmed covid
- Worn for any aerosol exposure
- CPR
- Ventilation
- Positive covid
- Screening pt’s
- Covid hosp./ long term care alerts
What is the order of donning PPE?
- Perform hand hygeine
- Put on gown
- Put on mask or N95 resp
- Put on eye protection
- Put on gloves
What is the order of doffing PPE?
- Remove gloves
- Remove gown or arm barrier
- Perform hand hygiene
- Remove eye protection
- Remove mask of N95 resp
- Preform hand hygiene
Guiding Principles for Universal Precautions
- All workplaces are expected to have standard O H & S programs in place
- Use of Universal Precautions
- U.P. are designed to be used routinely in all situation or risk
- The employer is responsible for the Education of Employees in U.P.
- Immunization according to the Amb. Act
