Transcript Chapter 12

CHAPTER
12
Preparing for Clinical
Duties
UNIT
1
The Safety and Well-Being
of Staff and Patients
12 - 2
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The MA’s Role in Maintaining Safety


To maintain a safe and comfortable
environment for the safety of all patients
and staff
To identify and help avoid potential
hazards and disease transmission
12 - 3
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Potential Hazards and Problems
in the Medical Facility

Hard surfaces (e.g., countertops), water
fountains, restrooms, trash containers,
electrical cords, furniture, and telephones
12 - 4
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Housekeeping Items

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Broom, vacuum
Mop, sponges,
bucket
Cleaning
solutions
Trash bags
Biohazardous
bags
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Disposable cloths
Paper towels
Disinfectant spray
Emesis basins
Bleach
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Daily Routine Care of the
Medical Facility

Although many offices have a janitorial
service in the evenings:

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Trash should be emptied whenever full.
Countertops should be kept clean.
Restrooms should be maintained.
12 - 6
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The Importance of Hand Washing


Hand washing prevents the transfer of
microorganisms.
Hand washing can even help to eliminate
many diseases before they begin.
12 - 7
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The Purpose of Wearing Gloves



Provide protection whenever touching
blood or body fluid
Reduce the possibility of transferring
pathogens to others
Diminish chances of transferring
pathogens from you to patients
12 - 8
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Preventing Disease Transmission

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Never put your hands in your mouth.
Never put foreign objects (e.g., pens or
pencils) in your mouth.
Wash your hands after using tissues.
Avoid contact with others when you are
sick.
(continued)
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Preventing Disease Transmission



Between uses, clean any toys that are
kept out for young patients.
Wash hands frequently.
Wear gloves whenever there is the
possibility of exposure to pathogens.
12 - 10
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General Guidelines for Lab Safety

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12 - 11
Wash hands before and after every
procedure.
Wear gloves whenever you handle any
blood or body fluid specimens.
Cover any open wounds.
(continued)
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General Guidelines for Lab Safety


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12 - 12
Never eat, drink, smoke,
or chew gum at work.
Wear gloves whenever
there is a possibility of
exposure to blood or body
fluids.
After use, recap or close
bottles immediately.
Clean up spills
immediately.
(continued)
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General Guidelines for Lab Safety

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12 - 13
Make sure that the work
area is well lit, properly
ventilated, uncluttered,
and quiet.
Discard all sharp
instruments in the proper
biohazardous bags.
Discard all biohazardous
waste properly.
(continued)
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General Guidelines for Lab Safety

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12 - 14
Routinely check all electrical equipment
for safety.
Dry your hands before using any
electrical equipment.
Report all accidents immediately
(continued)
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General Guidelines for Lab Safety

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12 - 15
Do not wear loose-fitting clothes around
machines or lab equipment.
Designate a “clean” and a “dirty” area in
the lab.
Never lean into your work area.
(continued)
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General Guidelines for Lab Safety

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Post all emergency numbers near each
phone.
Have first aid supplies available.
Have a functional eye wash station
nearby.
Keep flammable chemicals away from
flames.
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The Importance of Informative
Signs and Diagrams

Signs save time in an emergency and
help to remind employees of evacuation
routes, exits, and emergency phone
numbers.
12 - 17
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Unit Summary


What would be included in the daily
routine care of a medical office?
How can a medical assistant reduce
disease transmission in the medical
office?
12 - 18
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UNIT
2
Infection Control
12 - 19
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Patient Education Suggestions to
Prevent Disease Transmission

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Remind sick patients to cover their
mouths when coughing.
Remind sick patients to wash their hands
after disposing of used tissues or after
using the restroom.
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The Purpose of OSHA and CLIA

Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA)


Created to ensure a safe environment for
workers and patients
Clinical Laboratory Improvement
Amendments (CLIA)

Enacted in 1988 to establish guidelines that
protect both health care professionals and
the public they serve
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Explaining the Written Statement
concerning Standard Precautions

Having the Standard Precautions
statement clearly visible acts as a
constant reminder to all who work in the
area of health care.
12 - 22
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Growth Requirements
of Microorganisms

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Oxygen
Proper pH balance
Temperature
Nutrients
Water
A host to inhabit
12 - 23
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Explaining Direct and
Indirect Contact

Direct contact


The health care team member has had
direct contact with droplets of the
microorganism
Indirect contact

The health care team member has had
contact with something that has
microorganisms on it
12 - 24
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The Body’s Defense
against Disease

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Sneezing
Coughing
Runny nose
Diarrhea
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Body hair or cilia
Sweat
Urine
Mucus
12 - 25
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Sanitization, Disinfection,
and Sterilization

Sanitization
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Disinfection
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Thorough cleansing
Generally items should be soaked for 20
minutes in warm water with detergent
The process that kills disease-producing
microorganisms
Usually involves the use of chemical or
physical agents
(continued)
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Sanitization, Disinfection,
and Sterilization

Sterilization

The process that destroys all forms of living
microorganisms, including spores


Spores are hard, heat-resistant shells that some
bacteria develop for their protection
Sterilization kills pathogens and prevents the
spread of disease.
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Function of the Autoclave
Autoclaves use steam heat, gas, or a disinfectant
solution to kill all microorganisms.
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The Importance of Safety
when Using the Autoclave

Because the autoclave uses
temperatures between 205 and 270
degrees, as well as steam and 15
pounds of pressure per square inch,
caution must be taken to avoid burns and
serious injury.
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The Purpose of Using
Sterilization Indicators
Sterilization indicators register and verify that proper and
complete sterilization has occurred.
12 - 30
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Protecting Against Hepatitis B

Training in protection against the spread
of hepatitis B includes:

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Proper use of sharps containers for disposal
of contaminated needles or instruments
Hand washing techniques
Transmission, incubation time,
symptoms, and treatments

Refer to Table 12-1
12 - 31
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Unit Summary


What is the purpose of OSHA and CLIA?
How would you describe the infectious
process and direct and indirect contact?
12 - 32
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Keys to Career Success


The successful medical assistant is
always aware of the importance of office
safety.
Careful monitoring and reporting of
unsafe situations shows management
that the medical assistant is an actively
involved and caring team member.
12 - 33
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Hot Links to Career Success

www.cdc.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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