EMT B Chapter 2: The Well-Being Of The EMT-B Vocabulary

Body Substance Isolation (BSI) An infection control concept and practice that assumes that all body fluids are potentially infectious. Burnout A condition of chronic fatigue and frustration that results from mounting stress over time. Carrier An animal or person who is infected with and may transmit an infectious disease but may not display any symptoms of it; also known as a vector. Communicable Disease Any disease that can be spread from person to person, or from animal to person. Contagious Disease An infectious disease that is capable of being transmitted from one person to another. Contamination The presence of infectious organisms on or in objects such as dressings, water, food, needles, wounds, or a patient's body. Cover and Concealment The tactical use of an impenetrable barrier to conceal EMS personnel and protect them from projectiles. Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) A confidential peer group discussion of a severely stressful incident that usually occurs within 24 to 72 hours of the incident. Critical Incident Stress Management A process that confronts the responses to critical incidents and defuses them, directing the EMS personnel toward physical and emotional equilibrium. Designated Officer The individual in the department who is charged with the responsibility of managing exposures and infection control issues. Direct Contact Exposure or transmission of a communicable disease from on person to another by physical contact. Exposure A person has had contact with blood, body fluids, tissues, or airborne particles in a manner that suggests that disease transmission may occur. Exposure Control Plan A comprehensive plan that helps employees to reduce their risk of exposure to or acquisition of communicable diseases. General Adaptation Syndrome Body's three-stage response to stress. (1.) Alarm response, (2.) Reaction/Resistance, (3.) Recover/Exhaustion Hepatitis Inflammation of the liver that causes fever, loss of appetite, jaundice, fatigue, and alter liver function. Herpes Simplex Infections cause by human herpes viruses 1 & 2. Causes small blisters at the location of the virus. Type 1 is non genital while Type 2 is. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection The virus that can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Host The organism or individual that is attacked by the infecting agent. Infection The abnormal invasion of a host or host tissues by organisms such as bacteria, viruses, or parasites, with or without signs or symptoms or disease. Infectious Disease Caused by infection, in contrast to on caused by faulty genes, metabolic or hormonal disturbance, trauma, or something else. Meningitis An inflammation of the meningeal coverings of the brain and spinal cord; it is usually caused byu a virus or a bacterium. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) The federal regulatory compliance agency that develops, publishes, and enforces guidelines concerning safety in the workplace. Pathogen A microorganism that is capable of causing disease in a susceptible host. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Protective equipment that OSHA requires to be made available to the EMT. In the case of infection risk, it blocks entry of an organism into the body. Postraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) A delayed stress reaction to a prior incident. This delayed reaction is often the result of one or more unresolved issues concerning the incident. Sever Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Potentially life threatening viral infection that usually starts with flu-like symptoms. Transmission The way in which an infectious agent is spread: contact, airborne, by vehicles, or by vectors. Tuberculosis A chronic bacterial disease that usually affects the lungs, but can also affect other organs such as brain or kidneys. Universal Precautions Protective measures developed by the CDC for use in dealing with objects, blood, body fluids, or other exposure risks of communicable disease. Virulence The strength or ability of a pathogen to produce disease.