How to Use this Program:
Read this Lesson
Answer ALL TEST questions.
Check your answers
Be sure to sign and date the test sheet.
Take as much time as you need
.Universal Precautions
Required
for all
employees
What Are Universal Precautions?
Practices issued by the CDC (Center For Disease
Control) in 1987 to reduce the spread of AIDS,
Hepatitis B and other infections we may not even
know of from one person to another, especially
people who take care of other people.
The rule is to ALWAYS use the Universal
Precautions, because you often have no way
of knowing if a person has a life threatening
disease that you could catch.
When to use them?
We take care of people who may have
chronic (ongoing) illnesses, or who may be
contagious (as in the case of the flu)
meaning we could “catch” what they have.
Why Are Universal Precautions Important?
By gloves we mean latex or vinyl hand protection.
You can pick them up at the Primary Home Care
office.
Universal Precautions:
#1 – When to wear gloves
Universal Precautions:
#1 – When to wear gloves
Gloves MUST be worn anytime you MAY come into
contact with blood, body fluids, or mucous membranes.
Example of when to wear gloves would include helping
client blow nose, or use the toilet.
Universal Precautions:
#1 – When to wear gloves
Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before you
put on gloves…and of course after you remove
them!
Universal Precautions:
#1 – When to wear gloves
You should also wear gloves when:
• To cover your hands if you have cuts, scrapes or broken skin
• There is possible contact with soiled linen, feces, vomit, dressings or wound drainage, or you need to touch soiled clothing.
STOP!
(get a pair of gloves from the front desk)
How to safely remove gloves
1.Remove a glove by grasping it below the cuff‐‐‐and pulling it off, while wearing the other glove….do not touch your bare skin.
2.Pull the glove down over your hand so it is inside out.
3.Hold the glove you removed with the other glove.
4.Reach inside the other glove and pull it down over the first glove.
5.Discard gloves and wash your hands.
This process can be confusing at first, if you have any questions ask us
Universal Precautions:
#1 – When to wear gloves
Review:
Gloves are provided by the company to help protect Primary Home Care Caregivers. They are to be worn anytime a worker may
come into contact with bodily fluids of another person.
Gloves are a barrier between YOU and the potentially infected client.
Universal precautions were developed in 1987 to prevent the further spread of the AIDS virus, and also Hepatitis. Today, they
Universal Precautions:
#2 ‐When to use a face shield or mask?
A mask will protect your eyes, nose and mouth from splashes of another person’s bodily fluids which could contaminate you.
Masks and face shields vary in style, if you need one, or have questions please call Primary Home Care and ask to speak to the nurse.
Universal Precautions:
#3 ‐Gowns or Aprons?
Your work in the home is not likely to involve need of
a gown over your scrubs, however do not hesitate to
wear an apron or other protective clothing when
completing tasks that may involve
soiling/contaminating your street clothes.
Universal Precautions:
#4 ‐If it’s wet, wash it!
Hands and any other part of your body which comes into
contact with blood or bodily fluids MUST be washed
immediately.
Universal Precautions:
#4 ‐wash it!
Wash your hands completely after removing
and disposing of your gloves.
NOTE: Use clean gloves for each task, or set
of related tasks.
Universal Precautions:
#4 ‐wash it!
Wash your hands after finishing work with
each of your clients.
Universal Precautions:
#5 ‐managing sharps
Be VERY careful to avoid nicks or cuts when shaving a patient, or brushing teeth etc.
DISPOSE OF SHARPS PROPERLY. IF THERE IS NO SHARPS DISPENSER AT THE HOME, MAKE ONE USING AN EMPTY METAL COFFEE CAN WITH A TIGHT FITTING LID, OR PLASTIC MILK JUG W/CAP.
Universal Precautions:
#6 ‐Doing CPR
If you are certified to do CPR or rescue
breathing, know that a mouth barrier can
help protect you from communicable
diseases.
Universal Precautions:
#7 ‐Avoid contact with lesions or sores
Do not touch a client’s skin if
they have open wounds or
lesions.
DISCUSS THE SITUATION WITH
THE Primary Home Care Nurse.
Caregiver’s Role:
Other things you can do:
• Double glove if you suspect a person is
infected with hepatitis, HIV or AIDS.
• Properly dispose of sharps
• Be aware of your surroundings, and what
you come into contact with.
Universal Precautions:
COMMON SENSE
These guidelines are used everywhere,
“universal” however there may be
additional precautions you should take.
Common Sense should be your guide in
any home care situation.
Infection Control
When we talk about Universal Precautions, we generally are concerned about very serious illnesses like Aids and Hepatitis.
However, Universal Precautions along with other practices can discourage the spread of all disease. Because we work with people who may be elderly, sick, disabled or who have
compromised immune systems, we have a special responsibility to make sure we have taken all practical precautions.
It starts with Washing Your Hands!
Immunity
• Your immune system is your body’s defense against germs that try to make you sick.
• People with cancer, recovering from surgery, who have Hepatitis, HIV or AIDS are not as able as healthy people, to fight off common germs that you do.
Handwashing:
Regardless of where you live or work, the
number one precaution
you can take against getting sick is handwashing.
Use WARM water.
How to wash your hands:
Use liquid (Antimicrobial) Soap from a dispenser if available.
NOTE: with proper rinsing bar soap is fine for everyday applications.
How to wash your hands:
Lather the soap for at least 20 seconds, a good rule of thumb (no pun intended) is the lathering for the time it takes you to sing the Alphabet song
start to finish.
How to wash your hands:
Scrub between your fingers, and use a brush to clean under fingernails.
Beware of acrylic nails and polishes that can harbor bacteria.
How to wash your hands:
Use the towel to turn off the faucet and open the door, discard it when you have exited the room.
NOTE: Germs can live a longtime on door handles, faucets and other hardware.
How to wash your hands:
How to wash your hands:
Dry with a paper towel. If the homes you work in haven’t already installed a paper towel rack in the bathroom, suggest it. This insures that everyone has a clean towel, every time and reduces the likelihood you’ll transfer germs.
If you notice your clients, or
others in the household not
washing their hands when
necessary, mention it…
Caregivers/Clients need to take special precautions
Caregiver’s Role:
Work to prevent the spread of infections by:
• Handwashing
• Universal Precautions
• Avoiding blood borne pathogens
Caregiver’s Role:
NOTE: Certain people are at greater risk if they become sick, including:
• People with serious, life threatening illness, ‐‐
cancer, heart disease, etc.
• People who are diabetic
• People with catheters
• People with HIV or Aids
• Infants and people who are very elderly
#1
Make sure your work environment is clean. Don’t be afraid to use disinfectant, or to clean and remove waste on a regular basis.
Ten Things You Can Do
Starting Now:
#2 As necessary, wear gloves!
They are free and can be picked up at the Primary Home Care offices.
(Notify us if you are allergic to Latex Please so we
Ten Things You Can Do
Starting Now:
#3
Assume any bodily waste or fluids are contaminated and take that into consideration in your cleanup plan.
Ten Things You Can Do
Starting Now:
#4
Wash your hands and use a disinfectant on work surfaces before you cook or prepare foods.
Ten Things You Can Do
Starting Now:
#5
Suggest a holder and a supply of paper towels for bathrooms, sick rooms and kitchens where you work.
Ten Things You Can Do
Starting Now:
#6
Clean hard surfaces (counters, fixtures, floors) with bleach, or a cleaning product containing disinfecting properties.
Don’t forget to wipe down phone receivers, door knobs and other things that people touch!
Ten Things You Can Do
Starting Now:
#7
Routinely launder bed linens, towels, clothing and other fabric items with laundry soap and bleach.
Ten Things You Can Do
Starting Now:
#8
For pillows and items that are at risk of soil, encase in vinyl or plastic before adding the topper or pillow cover.
Ten Things You Can Do
Starting Now:
#9
Wash/soak vegetables and fruit in a solution of 1 tsp.
salt to one gallon of water. Salt is a natural antiseptic. Rinse before cooking or serving.
Ten Things You Can Do
Starting Now:
Ten Things You Can Do
Starting Now:
#10
Keep personal items for each person stored separately. Carry with you, or have on hand a
container of antibacterial Hand Cleaner. Available at any pharmacy, discount store, or grocery for a
$1 or $2.
It’s a good precautionary measure for you to use anytime.
What Is A Bloodborne Pathogen?
It’s an virus that you can contract when
you come into contact with bodily fluids
(like blood) from a person who has
Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, or HIV which
causes AIDS.
#1:
One of the most common ways this is
transmitted is thru needle sticks. As a
Primary Home Care Caregiver you shouldn’t
be doing injections, which will minimize your
risk in this area.
BE AWARE OF NEEDLES LEFT AROUND THE HOME—AND DISPOSE OF THEM PROMPTLY.
Bloodborne Pathogens
Bloodborne Pathogens
#2:
A much more common way caregivers
contract a virus is thru contact with a
client’s wounds, or from being splashed
when doing personal care.
#3:
Don’t eat, drink or smoke where bloodborne
pathogens may be present. …..this includes
applying makeup, lip gloss, rubbing eyes or
inserting contact lenses.
In other words avoid touching your face!
Bloodborne Pathogens
#4:
If you come into contact with ANY type of
bodily fluid, wash immediately with soap and
warm water.
Bloodborne Pathogens
#5:
Look around your home-worksite for Biohazard labels on
sharps containers. …or red bags which are used for
contaminated linens, clothing etc. FOLLOW THE RULES!
NOTE: If you are working in a home where biohazard disposal supplies are
present, likely you’ll not be alone, either skilled nursing staff, or hospice should be present to direct. If you have questions or concerns about an environment, call Primary Home Care.
Bloodborne Pathogens
Bloodborne Pathogens
#6:
Be conscious of your surroundings, if
you suspect there’s more to a situation
than you see, call for a visit from our
nurse.
Hepatitis, HIV & AIDS
This group of highly infectious diseases are spread through contact with bodily fluids; this includes‐sputum (spit), urine, etc.
To protect yourself, double glove and avoid being splashed, stuck with a used needle, or sexual contact with someone who is infected. For more information about HIV and AIDS, call our local health department at (989) 758‐3805.
Definitions
Antiseptic
Antiseptics are solutions that prevent or counteract an infection.
Material in this program came from sources including:
•CDC (Center for Disease Control) guidelines for Universal Precautions and handwashing.
•Homemaker/Home Health Aide 4th Edition, Helen Huber and Audree Spatz
