Annual Infection Control Training

Healthcare workers, regardless of their specific roles, have a shared responsibility to create a safe environment for patients, visitors, and themselves. This includes following safety protocols, maintaining cleanliness, practicing proper hygiene, and ensuring that equipment and facilities are in good working condition. By creating a safe environment, healthcare workers can help prevent accidents, infections, and other potential hazards that could harm patients or compromise their well-being.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is designed to protect individuals from potential hazards and risks in their work environment. In the case of blood and body fluid contact, PPE such as gloves, goggles, face shields, and protective clothing should be used to create a barrier between the individual and the potentially infectious material. This helps to minimize the risk of transmission of pathogens and ensures the safety of the individual. Therefore, the statement "Personel protective equpment (PPE) should be used to prevent blood and body fluid contact with your skin, eyes, nose, mouth, and clothing" is true.

It is important to clean your hands before and after contact with a patient to prevent the spread of germs. Additionally, cleaning your hands before performing a clean or aseptic procedure ensures that the procedure is done in a sterile environment. Lastly, cleaning your hands after contact with blood and body fluids is crucial to minimize the risk of infection. Therefore, all of the above options are correct.

Bloodborne pathogens are viruses that can be transmitted through contact with infected blood or bodily fluids. This means that if someone comes into contact with blood or other bodily fluids that contain these pathogens, there is a risk of infection. Therefore, the statement "Bloodborne pathogens are viruses that can cause infection after exposure to blood and/or bodily fluids" is true.

The statement "If the patient is in isolation, you don't need to follow standard precautions" is false. Standard precautions are a set of infection control practices used to prevent the transmission of diseases in healthcare settings. These precautions should be followed regardless of whether a patient is in isolation or not. Isolation precautions are additional measures taken to prevent the spread of specific infectious agents. Therefore, even if a patient is in isolation, healthcare providers should still follow standard precautions to ensure their own safety and prevent the transmission of infections.

The statement is true because it is important to activate all sharps safety features or mechanisms before disposing of them in designated containers. This ensures that any sharp objects, such as needles or blades, are safely secured and cannot cause harm to anyone who comes into contact with them during the disposal process. By activating these safety features, the risk of accidental injury or transmission of infections is greatly reduced, making it a crucial step in proper sharps disposal.

When caring for a TB patient, it is important for the staff member to wear a fit-tested N95 respirator. This is because tuberculosis is an airborne disease that can spread through respiratory droplets. The N95 respirator is designed to filter out at least 95% of airborne particles, including the bacteria that causes TB. Fit-testing ensures that the respirator fits properly on the staff member's face, creating a seal that prevents the inhalation of infectious particles. Therefore, wearing a fit-tested N95 respirator is crucial in protecting the staff member from contracting TB while caring for a patient.

After an occupational exposure to blood and/or body fluids, healthcare workers are advised to inform their supervisor and follow up with Occupational Health. This is because the supervisor needs to be aware of the incident and take appropriate action, such as providing necessary medical attention or support. Following up with Occupational Health is important to ensure that the worker receives proper evaluation, testing, and any necessary treatment or counseling. Reporting to the Emergency Department or calling their own physician may not be necessary unless specifically advised by their supervisor or Occupational Health.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is primarily spread through the air. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, they release tiny droplets containing the bacteria into the air. These droplets can be inhaled by others, leading to infection. Shaking hands, sharing eating utensils, and contact with patient equipment may increase the risk of transmission in certain situations, but the main mode of transmission is through respiratory droplets in the air.

The statement is true because the Hepatitis B vaccine is highly effective in preventing Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection. It stimulates the body's immune system to produce antibodies that can fight against the virus, providing long-term protection. The vaccine has been proven to be safe and effective, with a high success rate in preventing HBV infection. Therefore, getting vaccinated is crucial in preventing the spread of Hepatitis B and reducing the risk of developing liver diseases associated with the virus.

When transporting a TB patient, it is important for the patient to wear a surgical or procedure mask. This is because TB (tuberculosis) is an airborne disease that spreads through respiratory droplets. Wearing a mask helps to prevent the spread of these droplets and reduces the risk of transmission to others. Therefore, it is necessary for the TB patient to wear a mask during transportation to protect both themselves and those around them.

The statement is false because gauze, tape, and bandages are not considered sharps, which are defined as objects that can puncture or cut the skin. Sharps containers are specifically designed for the safe disposal of items such as needles, syringes, and lancets that pose a risk of transmitting bloodborne pathogens. Gauze, tape, and bandages can be disposed of in regular trash or medical waste containers.

Standard precautions require the use of gloves and gowns. Gloves are used to protect the hands from contact with blood, body fluids, and other potentially infectious materials. Gowns are used to protect the skin and clothing from contamination. Eye protection is not included in standard precautions, although it may be necessary in certain situations where there is a risk of splashes or sprays. Therefore, the correct answer is A and C.

Employees at risk for occupational exposure to blood or bodily fluids are typically not required to pay for the vaccine. It is the responsibility of the employer to provide a safe working environment for their employees, which includes offering vaccinations to protect against potential infections. Requiring employees to pay for the vaccine would be an unfair burden and potentially discourage them from getting vaccinated, putting their health at risk.

The risk of bloodborne pathogen infection following an occupational exposure is greatest for Hepatitis B. Hepatitis B is highly contagious and can be transmitted through contact with infected blood or body fluids. It is estimated that about 30% of individuals infected with Hepatitis B develop chronic liver disease, which can lead to severe complications such as cirrhosis and liver cancer. Therefore, healthcare workers and others at risk of exposure to blood or body fluids should take precautions to prevent Hepatitis B transmission.

Blood soaked gauze is considered biohazardous waste because it may contain bloodborne pathogens that can pose a risk to human health. These pathogens can be transmitted through contact with contaminated materials, such as gauze, and can cause infections and diseases. Therefore, blood soaked gauze should be disposed of in a proper and safe manner to prevent the spread of infection.