Research Profession and Practice The Well-Being of the Paramedic

Research Profession and Practice Back Safety EMS is a physically demanding career. Lifting and moving patients is frequently required. To avoid back injury, you must keep your back fit for the work you do.

Research Profession and Practice Correct Posture Will Minimize the Risk of Back Injury

Research Profession and Practice Correct Sitting Posture

Research Profession and Practice Important Lifting Principles (1 of 2) Move a load only if you can handle it. Ask for help if you need it. Position load close to your body. Keep your palms up—when possible. Do not hurry. Bend with your knees. “Lock-in” the spine.

Research Profession and Practice Important Lifting Principles (2 of 2) Always avoid twisting and turning. Let the leg muscles do the work. Exhale during lifting. Tense ur abs! Given a choice, push. Do not pull. Look where you are going. Only one person should be in charge of verbal commands.

Research Profession and Practice Personal Protection from Disease There’s a lot you can do to minimize the risk of infection. Begin by developing a habit of doing the things promoted in this presentation.

Research Profession and Practice Infectious Disease Caused by pathogens, such as bacteria or viruses. May be spread from person to person. For example, infection by way of bloodborne pathogens can occur when the blood of an infected person comes in contact with another person’s broken skin.

Research Profession and Practice Common Infectious Diseases

Research Profession and Practice Body Substance Isolation A strict form of infection control that is based on the assumption that all blood and other body fluids are infectious.  Take BSI precautions with every patient.

Research Profession and Practice BSI is achieved through the use of PPE. Appropriate personal protective equipment should be available in every emergency vehicle.  Protective gloves  Masks and protective eyewear  HEPA and N-95 respirators  Disposable resuscitation equipment

Research Profession and Practice High Efficiency Particulate Air Respirator (HEPA Mask)

Research Profession and Practice An N-95 Respirator

Research Profession and Practice To Remove Gloves, Hook the Gloved Fingers of One Hand Under the Cuff of the Other Glove.

Research Profession and Practice Then Slide the Fingers of the Ungloved Hand Under the Remaining Glove’s Cuff.

Research Profession and Practice Perhaps the Most Important Infection-Control Practice Is... HANDWASHING

Research Profession and Practice To Wash Your Hands Properly, Lather Well and Scrub Under Your Nails.

Research Profession and Practice When You Rinse Your Hands, Point Them Downward So That Soap and Water Run Off Away From Your Body.

Research Profession and Practice Important: Dispose of Biohazardous Waste in a Properly Marked Bag.

Research Profession and Practice Also Very Important: Discard Needles and Other Sharp Objects in a Properly Labeled, Puncture-proof Container.

Research Profession and Practice Contaminated Non-disposable Equipment Must Be Cleaned, Disinfected, or Sterilized.

Research Profession and Practice …Cleaned, Disinfected, or Sterilized Cleaning refers to washing an object with soap and water. Disinfecting includes cleaning with a disinfectant. Sterilizing is the use of a chemical or steam to kill all microorganisms on an object.

Research Profession and Practice Post-Exposure Procedures In most areas, an EMS provider who has had an exposure should:  Immediately wash the affected area.  Get a medical evaluation.  Notify the agency’s infection control liaison.  Document the event.  Take the immunization boosters.

Research Profession and Practice Next Week Back Safety –Basic Concepts Protection from Infection