In this chapter you will learn: Recognize the importance of professionalism in the medical assisting practice, explain the professional behaviors that should be exhibited by medical assistants, model strategies for success in medical assisting education and practice.
CHAPTER Basic Safety and Infection Control 6-2 Learning Outcomes 6.1 Describe the components of a medical office safety plan 6.2 Identify OSHA’s role in protecting healthcare workers 6.3 Describe basic safety precautions you should take to reduce electrical hazards 6.4 Illustrate the necessary steps in a comprehensive fire safety plan 6-3 Learning Outcomes (cont.) 6.5 Summarize proper methods for handling and storing chemicals used in a medical office 6.6 Explain the principles of good ergonomic practice and physical safety in the medical office 6.7 Illustrate the cycle of infection and how to break it 6-4 Learning Outcomes 6.8 Summarize the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard and Universal Precautions as described in the rules and regulations of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 6.9 Describe methods of infection control including those preventing healthcareassociated infections 6.10 Describe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requirements for reporting cases of infectious disease 6-5 Introduction • Accidents can occur in healthcare settings • Remove or correct hazards – Physical – Chemical – Biohazardous • Removal or correction of hazards is integral to risk management 6-6 Medical Office Safety Plan • Minimize risk • Establish a safety plan • Education about potential dangers facilitates the removal or correction of these hazards 6-7 Medical Office Safety Plan (cont.) • Comprehensive written safety plan • Easily accessible • Updated annually • Know and follow the plan’s policies and procedures 6-8 Apply Your Knowledge Why is it important to have a safety plan in a medical office and what should the plan cover? ANSWER: It is important to have a safety plan to help minimize risk and make everyone aware of potential hazards A safety plan should contain: •OSHA Hazard Communication •Electrical and fire safety •Emergency action plan •Chemical safety •Blood borne pathogen exposure •Personal protective equipment •Needlestick prevention 6-9 Occupational Safety and Health Administration • Employee safety • Specific standard vs General Duty Clause • Enforces guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 6-10 OSHA Hazard Communication • Biohazard labels • Warning signs • Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) • Hazard labels 6-49 Infection Control Methods (cont.) • Keep office clean • Prevent crosscontamination – Follow guidelines – Use protective gear 6-50 Hand Hygiene • Handwashing • Alcohol-based hand disinfectants (AHD) • Fingernail length • Nail polish and artificial nails 6-51 Other Aseptic Precautions • Avoid leaning against sinks, etc • Avoid touching your face and mouth • Use tissues for coughing or sneezing; wash hands afterward • Avoid working with patients if you have a cold; wear gloves and mask • Stay home if you have a fever 6-52 Personal Protective Equipment • • • • Gloves Masks and protective eyewear or face shields Protective clothing Use of multiple types of PPE 6-53 Transmission from Healthcare Workers • Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) • Adhere to OSHA Standards • High risk procedures • HIV, HBV status of healthcare workers 6-54 Apply Your Knowledge Describe the difference between medical and surgical asepsis ANSWER: Medical asepsis is based on cleanliness and reducing the number of microorganisms as much as possible Surgical asepsis is maintaining a sterile environment by eliminating all microorganisms 6-55 Reporting Guidelines for Infectious Diseases • State or county health department • Information is forwarded to the CDC • National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System 6-56 Reporting Guidelines (cont.) • Reporting – correct form – Disease identification – Patient identification – Infection history – Reporting institution name 6-57 Apply Your Knowledge How is the information on reportable diseases used by the CDC? ANSWER: The CDC uses the information reported to them to help control the spread of infection 6-58 In Summary 6.1 The medical office safety plan should include OSHA’s Hazard Communication; electrical, fire, and chemical safety; emergency action plans; bloodborne pathogen exposure plans; PPE; and needlestick prevention plans 6.2 The U.S Department of Labor created OSHA to protect the employees’ safety in the workplace Through the creation and enforcement of standards such as the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, Hazard Communication, and the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act, OSHA serves to protect healthcare workers from hazards 6-59 In Summary (cont.) 6.3 To reduce electrical hazards in the medical office, you should avoid using extension cords, repair or replace damaged cords, avoid overloading circuits, ensure that all plugs are grounded, dry your hands before using electrical devices, and keep electrical devices away from sinks or other sources of water 6.4 A comprehensive fire safety plan must include fire prevention strategies, actions to take in the event of a fire, building evacuation routes and plans, fire drills, and local emergency contacts 6-60 In Summary (cont.) 6.5 When using chemicals in the medical office, you should always wear protective gear, carry the container with both hands, work in a well-ventilated area, never combine chemicals unless it is specifically required in the test procedures, and properly clean up spills immediately 6.6 In order to protect yourself from work-related musculoskeletal disorders at work, you must follow the principles of good body mechanics Your physical safety at work depends on understanding and applying appropriate workplace safeguards 6-61 In Summary (cont.) 6.7 In order for an infection to occur, these five elements must be in place: a reservoir host, a means of exit, a means of transmission, a means of entrance, and a susceptible host The most effective means of breaking the cycle of Infection is by using aseptic techniques 6.8 Laws set forth in the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard of 1991 dictate how you must handle infectious or potentially infectious waste generated during medical or surgical procedures 6-62 In Summary (cont.) 6.9 The two basic methods of infection control are medical asepsis and surgical asepsis OSHA recommends that healthcare workers who work with high-risk patients know their HIV and HBV status, participate in a HBV vaccination program, and avoid direct patient contact if they have a skin condition characterized by sores that secrete fluid 6.10 The CDC requires reporting of certain diseases to the state or county department of health, who then reports the information to the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System of the CDC 6-63 End of Chapter Soap and education are not as sudden as a massacre, but they are more deadly in the long run ~ Mark Twain ... office 6. 6 Explain the principles of good ergonomic practice and physical safety in the medical office 6. 7 Illustrate the cycle of infection and how to break it 6- 4 Learning Outcomes 6. 8 Summarize... employee 6- 30 Infection Control • Medical assistant – Help to create and maintain a safe and healthy environment – Understand how infections • Occur • Are transmitted in the population – Practice infection. .. Pathogens Standard and Universal Precautions as described in the rules and regulations of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 6. 9 Describe methods of infection control including