Transcript Unit 1 Safety Issues

Chapter 2
Safety and Wellness
EMR 2-1
Introduction
• Safety and wellness are defined as maintaining
physical, emotional, and psychological health on
the job
• EMRs should follow safety and wellness guidelines
to protect themselves, their patients, and others
involved in the incident
• EMRs must take personal responsibility to put into
practice the principles of good health and safety
EMR 2-2
Learning Objective 1
Name the Three Categories
of Health Screenings
PERSONAL HEALTH
• State of your well-being
• Fitness program
• Periodic screenings by health care provider

Yearly health screenings

Subsequent periodic screenings may be needed
EMR 2-3
Learning Objective 1
Name the Three Categories
of Health Screenings
HEALTH SCREENINGS
• Baseline measurement of common health
indicators
• Three categories

Physical

Medical

Psychological
EMR 2-4
Learning Objective 1
Name the Three Categories
of Health Screenings
IMMUNIZATIONS
• Increase a person’s resistance to certain infectious
diseases

Weakened or dead pathogens
• Should be current before first patient contact
• Screening

Recent tuberculosis screening
EMR 2-5
Learning Objective 2
List Methods for Stress Management
STRESS
• EMS is a high-stress job
• May internalize emotions and pain
STRESS MANAGEMENT
• Any method used to control the factors
• Proven ways of preparing the body to deal with
stress of the job and controlling the effects of
stress
EMR 2-6
Learning Objective 2
List Methods for Stress Management
WARNING SIGNS OF STRESS
• Effects can be felt for weeks after the incident
• Common warning signs of stress
CRITICAL INCIDENT STRESS DEBRIEFING (CISD)
• Structured conversation
• Helps the EMR make sense of his or her reactions
EMR 2-7
Learning Objective 3
Explain Routes of Pathogen Transmission
INFECTIOUS DISEASE
• Can be transmitted from one person to another or
from an animal to a person
• Caused by pathogens

Microscopic organisms

Airborne

Blood-borne
EMR 2-8
Learning Objective 3
Explain Routes of Pathogen Transmission
PATHOGEN TRANSMISSION
• Routes of transmission






Fomites
Vectors
Direct contact
Inhalation
Ingestion
Inoculation
EMR 2-9
Learning Objective 4
Define an Exposure Control Plan
EXPOSURE
• Patients are not required to disclose if they carry
an infectious disease
• Responsibilities related to infectious disease
exposure



Know the laws and regulations
Follow standard precautions
Document and report any suspected exposure
EMR 2-10
Learning Objective 4
Define an Exposure Control Plan
EXPOSURE CONTROL PLAN
• Prevent and document on-the-job exposure
incidents
• Document on a First Report of Exposure Form

Should be completed within 24 to 48 hours after
the incident
• Report may be scrutinized by your company for
workers’ compensation purposes
EMR 2-11
Learning Objective 5
Types and Uses of Standard Precautions
SAFE WORK ENVIRONMENT
• Habits, equipment, and techniques
STANDARD PRECAUTIONS
• Reduces the risk of transmission of microorganisms
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
• Prevention practices
EMR 2-12
Learning Objective 6
Safety Recommendations for Biohazards
BIOHAZARDS
• Biological substances that
may be infectious
• Contamination issues
DISPOSAL OF BIOHAZARDS
• Disposed of or cleaned as soon as is safe and
practical

Cannot be discarded with everyday items
EMR 2-13
Learning Objective 7
Cleaning, Disinfection, and Sterilization
CLEANING, DISINFECTION, AND STERILIZATION
• Cleaning

Remove particulate matter
• Disinfection

Kill common pathogens with cleaner
• Sterilization

Chemically or physically eradicate pathogens
• Sharps

Items with corners, edges, or projections
EMR 2-14
Learning Objective 8
Define Hazardous Materials
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS (HAZMAT)
• Biological, chemical, or physical agents

Cause sickness or death, to animals

May affect the environment, or humans
• Special training

Decontamination equipment

Handling of hazardous materials
EMR 2-15
Learning Objective 8
Define Hazardous Materials
EMR’S RESPONSIBILITIES
• Recognition
• Notification
• Assistance

Cold zone

Other responders

Patient care
EMR 2-16
Learning Objective 9
Safely Lifting and Carrying Patients
LIFTING AND MOVING PATIENTS
• Reasons to move patients
• Main priorities during a lift or carry
PERSONAL PREPARATIONS
• Plan the move
• Prepare your body

Warming up and stretching
EMR 2-17
Learning Objective 9
Safely Lifting and Carrying Patients
BODY MECHANICS
• Essential to keeping safe
• Transfers load to large muscles
GUIDELINES FOR SAFE LIFTING
• Position yourself closely
• Feet comfortable distance apart
• Lift evenly and slowly
EMR 2-18
Learning Objective 9
Safely Lifting and Carrying Patients
PUSHING AND PULLING
• Strains specific muscle groups
• If possible, push heavy objects
PERSONAL AND EQUIPMENT LIMITS
• Heed load limits
• Is there enough help?
• Is the right equipment available?
EMR 2-19
Learning Objective 10
Emergency and Non-Emergency
Patient Moves
EMERGENCY MOVES
• Rapid extrication
• Risk of harm outweighs the risk of injury
• Executed quickly by one or two people
• Examples of moves
• Cervical spine immobilization if possible
EMR 2-20
Learning Objective 10
Emergency and Non-Emergency
Patient Moves
NON-EMERGENCY MOVES
• Time to plan and execute a patient transfer
• Typically require two or more people
• Spinal alignment is better than emergency moves
• Examples of non-emergency moves
EMR 2-21
Summary
• EMRs must be knowledgeable of personal health
practices
• EMRs must be aware of how diseases are
transmitted and know the elements of a safe work
environment
• EMRs must be well versed in agency protocols
and state and federal laws
• EMRs must use the proper PPE, use proper hand
washing techniques, and use correct body
mechanics to lift and move patients
EMR 2-22