Transcript Universal Precautions 6-29

Universal Precautions & General
Safety Guidelines
Standards set by OSHA in 1991
(Occupational Safety Health Administration)
This required training applies to all who may reasonably be
expected to come into contact with blood, body fluids or other
potentially infectious materials on the job.
Establishes practices for protection of employees
What is your agency’s infection control
plan?
What safety measures are in place?
What work practices should you follow?
What personal protective equipment should you use?
What housekeeping practices are in place?
You can get Hep B vaccine, medical counseling, followup (post-exposure)
You will receive annual training.
What is a blood borne pathogen?
A microorganism present in blood
or bodily fluids that can infect and
cause disease.
What and How?
What are the most common blood borne
pathogens we are concerned about?

Hepatitis B, C and HIV
How are these pathogens spread?

By exposure to blood or other bodily fluids that may contain
blood
Tell me about Hepatitis B
Inflammation of the liver caused by the Hepatitis B
virus.
It is spread through sexual contact, IV drug use, blood
transfusions or exposure to infected blood.
Symptoms may develop 4-6 months after exposure.
** Prevention is the key. To protect yourself use
universal precautions and get the Hepatitis B
vaccine.
How can I get the vaccine?
Your agency can provide this vaccine free.
It is administered in 3 doses over several months.
If you have already had the vaccine in the past, you can
obtain a test to see if you are still immune to Hepatitis
B.
What is Hepatitis C?
A major cause of chronic liver disease.
It is also spread like Hepatitis B.
There is NO vaccine available.
It increases your risk for cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Which Fluids?
Which bodily fluids are potentially infectious?

Blood

Urine

Feces

Saliva

Open wounds

Semen and Vaginal secretions.
NOT perspiration(sweat) or tears!
Which Fluids?
When one of these fluids come into contact with
“broken” skin.

Cuts

Rashes

Hangnails

Piercings
or open surface like

Eyes

Mouth
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Nose

Mucous membrane
An infection may occur.
What Are Universal Precautions?


Safety measures that are used to prevent harmful
bacteria and viruses (pathogens) from infecting
people who provide first aid, personal or health
care.
It is important that DSPs use universal
precautions – it helps to protect everyone!
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU USE UNIVERSAL
PRECAUTIONS!
What are the Safety Measures?


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Appropriate Hand Washing & Personal Hygiene
Disposal/Care of Contaminated Items (like
needles, clothing, bedding, tissues, bandages,
etc.)
Engineering Controls
Hepatitis B vaccination
When should we use Universal
Precautions?


ALWAYS….when you are providing care and
coming into contact with certain bodily fluids.
Treat ALL these fluids as if they were infectious,
regardless of what you know about the person.
This is what “universal” means!!
Hand Washing

When you wash your hands properly, you wash
away bacteria and viruses that you have picked
up from the environment.

Washing your hands properly will prevent the
spread of pathogens, thus avoiding illness.
Proper method of Hand Washing

Wet your hands with warm water and apply soap;

Scrub your hands together briskly; get under
fingernails and between fingers;

Wash for 10-15 seconds (“A,B,C’s” or “Happy
Birthday” one time through);

Dry hands thoroughly with a clean paper towel;

Use the towel to turn off the faucet and open the
door!
When Do You Wash Hands?

Before and after preparing food

Before and after eating
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Before and after providing direct care
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After cleaning
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After using the bathroom
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After touching pets

After blowing your nose
**Be mindful that there may be more times when you
need to wash your hands**
Personal Protective Equipment
Use these according to your agency policy:

Gloves

Gowns/Aprons

Protective Eyewear

Masks/Face Shields
These are to protect YOU and
the people you support.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Gloves are the most
commonly used
protective equipment.
They should be used:

To avoid contact with blood or other body fluids

When handling contaminated items (e.g. laundry with
urine or fecal soiling)

When there are open cuts, scratches or wounds on the
person you are supporting or on your own hands
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Be sure to wash your hands before and after you use
gloves. Gloves serve as a protective measure, but you
still have the responsibility to perform proper care.
Gloves should be changed every time you come in
contact with a new person or activity.
Disposal/Care of Contaminated Items

Discard of contaminated needles or other sharp
instruments in appropriate containers

Dispose of used items (napkins, tissues, hand
sanitizing cloths) or wash used items (towels, wash
cloths)

Do not share personal care items (towels, wash
cloths)
Disposal/Care of Contaminated Items
Soiled Linen

Should be bagged and transported in a manner to
prevent leakage and contamination of DSP’s clothing

Sort linen before washing; use gloves to sort

The settings on household washing machines are
sufficient to kill most common bacteria

Use additives at the appropriate amounts for adequate
wash and care
What to do if there is an exposure

Immediately wash/rinse the exposed body part with soap and
warm water for sixty seconds. If necessary, flush eyes with
clean running water.

Provide immediate first aid if it is necessary

Tell someone! (according to your agency policy). You may need
to be tested/treated.

Clean the environment with an appropriate disinfecting
solution, such as ten parts water to one part bleach. Bleach will
kill both HIV and hepatitis B virus. (Or, your agency may have
another product that you should use)

After cleaning, promptly disinfect mops and any other
cleaning equipment, or you may spread the viruses to other
areas.
Other Communicable Diseases
-not blood borne
Communicable diseases spread from person to
person.

You may hear them referred to as contagious or
infectious diseases as well.

One example is Tuberculosis. You must obtain an
annual PPD to demonstrate that you do not have TB.
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Other examples: colds, flu.
Tuberculosis
Caused by bacteria that are spread through the air by
infectious particles.
These bacteria infect the lungs.
Active TB requires antibiotic treatment for a year
Latent TB means that someone has the infection but
is NOT infectious.
Food Handling
When preparing food:
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Wash hands to prevent food contamination.
Keep foods out of the danger zone! (41 F – 135 F)
Bacteria grow FASTER in that range!
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Don’t defrost meat on the counter!
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Avoid cross-contamination
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Pick up utensils by handles only
Emergency!! Disaster!!
How to prepare?
Emergencies!
Being prepared in a person-centered way
The needs of each person in an emergency are unique.
In order to provide the best, most individualized care….
PEPP: Each person has a Personal Emergency
Preparedness Plan
CEPP: Each agency has a Comprehensive Emergency
Preparedness Plan
Fire Safety
Fire Safety
Did you know that 80% of
fire deaths occur in the
home due to:
The components
that make fire are:

Heat

Cooking

Fuel

Smoking

Oxygen

Heating
Fire Safety
To avoid fire, use…

Surge protectors;
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extension cords are not recommended and
should never be used as primary wiring

Space heaters only when there are 3 feet of space
around them

Safe smoking practices
Fire Safety
To avoid fire, check…

that cooking appliances are turned off after use
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cords on electric appliances: check for damage;
unplug appliances when not in use

that smoke alarms are tested and batteries changed
as required

the fire extinguishers are charged and inspected as
required
Use of Fire Extinguisher

Use for small fires only!

Be mindful that they differ kinds of fire extinguishers
based on contents and purpose

Operate using P.A.S.S.
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Do not throw water on grease fires
REMEMBER TO CALL 911
Use of Fire Extinguisher
P.A.S.S.

Pull the pin

Aim

Squeeze

Sweep
Drills & Evacuation
Know your agency’s policy for fire drills.
Know your agency’s evacuation plan

Know two ways to exit
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Mark accessible windows

Where is the “Area of Rescue or Meeting Place”
outside the home?
Escape Procedures
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Get low

Get out fast

Do not return inside of the house

If fire gets on your clothing, STOP, DROP and ROLL
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Contact 911 from another location
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Make sure the people you support are evacuated.
Back Safety
Back Safety
Depending on the duties of your job, you may be
required to lift heavy items or help to transfer a
person from one place to another.
As a reminder, take care of your back and spine!!
Back Safety
Safe Lifting
When lifting any heavy item, do not bend forward and
lift. This will place pressure on your back and spinal
cord and cause injury.
Back Safety
Safe Lifting
In order to lift correctly, bend at the knees, wrap your
arms around the person or item and lift with your
knees!!
ANY QUESTIONS?