Purpose of Personal Protection
The purpose of personal protection is to minimize the risk of infection to the employee. This can be accomplished through several methods. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), good personal hygiene, clean work areas all contribute to a person’s overall personal protection and limit the possibility of exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Special precautions should be taken when employees are directly providing patient care.
Personal Protective Equipment
Wear the Appropriate Protective Gear
- Gloves should always be used when available.
- Masks should be used when the patient has a cough or suspected respiratory illness such as pneumonia or bronchitis.
- A gown should be used to protect the person helping from body fluid splash to the areas covered by the gown.
- Eyewear such as goggles should be used to protect the person helping
Click on the links below to view some examples of Personal Protective Equipment:
What is the appropriate Protective equipment to wear?
This???
Probably Not!!!
Like it says on the last page.
ALWAYS wear gloves when dealing with possible exposures to bloodborne pathogens or OPIM
Masks, like below, are appropriate for any airborne risks.
A gown is good for any splashing risks.
Eyewear is used for splashing risks also.
When in doubt... WEAR IT ALL!!!
Hand Washing
After coming into contact with bloodborne pathogens or OPIM, even with PPE on, ALWAYS wash your hands. If this is not available, use of an alcohol based cleaner until you have the opportunity to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water! This is necessary to remove harmful bacteria and viruses from your skin.
Proper Hand Washing
- First, wet hands with water and apply soap
- Rub hands together, creating a lather
- Thoroughly rub hands together for approximentaly 20 seconds. Make sure you clean every part of hand including between fingers.
- Rinse hands well under water.
- Dry your hands using a paper towel or dryer, if you use paper towel, this could be used as a barrier to shut the faucet off
If you must use an alcohol based hand cleaner, make sure that you rub the cleaner thoroughly over every aspect of your hands!
Personal Safety
Personal Safety is important not just with regard to bloodborne pathogens or OPIM, but also with regard to life situations in general. For this reason, be sure to make note of the following points:
Do Not Enter an Environment which May Be or Become Unsafe
- If you are not careful, you may be risking your life.
- Take some time to think about the danger you may be placing your self in if you are not properly trained to do so.
- Think about how the patient might have been put in an unsafe position and what the result was – DO YOU WANT TO BE IN THE SAME SIUTATION??
- BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS. Always be cognizant of dangers or situations where danger is likely to manifest itself.
- YOU CANNOT HELP ANYONE IF YOU BECOME A VICTIM YOURSELF!
Safety of Others
Remember: Your Safety Comes First
- Then You May Look After Others
- This Includes the Patient and Bystanders
- Never Enter a Scene that is Unsafe Unless You are Properly Trained to Deal with It.
IT IS PERMISSIBLE TO LEAVE THE SCENE WHEN IT BECOMES TOO DANGEROUS OR UNSAFE TO YOU
Call 9-1-1 When Needed
- Call When in Doubt: It is Better to Error on the Side of Caution than to be Sorry Later
- Call As Soon As Possible
- Once again, be calm and answer all questions the best you can.
