Since the last Ebola outbreak in 2014, a debate has emerged about what type of Personal protective equipment (PPE) is required for aerosol-generating procedures in order to reduce the risk of transmission. Health care workers providing care to patients with Ebola have questioned whether to use powered air-purifying respirator (PARP) or N95 masks. It seems like the main reason behind this uncertainty is based on past event where health care workers were infected because of improper Personal protective equipment (PPE). An example of this was the case of the American nurse Nina Pham, who was the second health worker to contract Ebola outside of West Africa while caring for patients with the virus, despite of the use of personal protective equipment (Macintyre, 2014). Also, another situation in which current …show more content…
Some disadvantages include improper fit, poor tolerance by users due to breathing resistance, high cost of stocking different sizes, and possible contamination due to exposed face and neck (Roberts, 2014). On the other hand, powered air-purifying respirator (PARP) filters at least 99.97% of particles, making them a better option when seeking greater levels of respiratory protection (Roberts, 2014). Other advantages include no need for fit testing, head and neck protection and permits continuous bedside care of the patient (Roberts, 2014). Some negative aspects include difficulties when communicating with the patient due to the noise coming from the hood, and the fact that it requires batteries (Roberts, 2014). Although this type of respirator has some disadvantages, the positive features far out weight the negative aspects. Ultimately, it is clear that a powered air-purifying respirator (PARP) could be the safeties way to reduce the risk of transmission of Ebola among health care
20. Why are gloves portrayed as the most important part of the defense against Ebola?. What is the decon shower for and what is the value of the pressurized suit?
The use of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), like plastic aprons, gloves footwear when handling contaminated items, including items contaminated with body fluids, and disposing of waste,
Norovirus is a healthcare associated infection which can cause morbidity and mortality (Weber et al. 2010, pg. 25). Norovirus is spread through ingesting food or liquids that are contaminated with norovirus and also from touching or being in contact with objects and people who are contaminated with pathogens from norovirus (Weber et al. 2010, pg. 25). According to Weber et al. 2010 (pg. 26), approximately 20%-40% of hospital acquired infections are because of cross infections through the healthcare worker’s hands. A simple and effective solution to lowering the risk of spreading Reginald’s infection around the hospital is hand hygiene by healthcare workers and even visitors within the hospital
In African hospitals they often don’t use protective gear like masks, gloves, or gowns. When needles are used they may not be disposable or they might not be sterilized. Ebola is a biosafety level four virus. Biosafety level four is the highest level, and contain dangerous diseases that are possibly life threatening.
– collective protective measures– personal protective equipment (PPE)– respiratory protective equipment (RPE)– local exhaust ventilation (LEV).
I selected this topic because I noticed there were inconsistencies within the practice of each nurse regarding the use of N95 masks versus surgical masks. When I probed deeper, I realized that some of the nurses didn’t know OHSU policy and were using best practice from another institution, which stated to use surgical masks when transporting patients off of the unit. This made me wonder why different institutions would have different policies and what the actual best practice is according to evidence. The OHSU Policy #HC-NSG-BMT-205-POL Infection Control Policy for Adult and Pediatric Oncology/Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) Units states that patients shall wear an N-95 mask when outside the HEPA-filtered environment (OHSU, 2016).
Germs and many other diseases spread primarily through airborne particles, skin to skin contact, and or touching objects such as door handles, hospital buttons, or by sharing patient possessions. Nurses and other health care clinicians are constantly in physical contact with many different patients, who all have varying illness’ and diseases themselves. Many may also carry a
In an article entitled “Effect of single- versus double- gloving on virus transfer to health care workers’ skin and clothing during removal of personal protective equipment”, which was published in the American Journal of Infection Control in August, 2011, authors Lisa Casanova, William Rutala, David Weber, and Mark Sobsey performed a controlled study of 18 volunteer health care workers, tracking both their adherence to CDC guidelines for donning and doffing personal protective equipment (PPE), as well as the spread of bacterial contaminants the health care workers were exposed to while performing routine patient care. The purpose of this study was to identify whether airborne contaminants were transferred to heath care workers’ hands and uniforms less often with double-gloving than with single-gloving. Though this study was performed on a very small sample of health care workers at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, the results of the study showed that there was far less contamination of participants’ hands after utilizing double-gloving standards than with single-gloving.
Nurses play a pivotal role in preventing hospital-acquired infections (HAI), not only by ensuring that all aspects of their nursing practice is evidence based, but also through nursing research and patient education.Hand hygiene is widely acknowledged to be the single most important activity for reducing the spread of disease.Personal protective equipment (PPE) is used to protect both yourself and your patient from the risks of cross-infection.Gloves should be worn whenever there might be
Every day while caring for patients, dedicated health care workers all over the world face potential risks of exposure to infectious disease bacteria or bloodborne viruses due to unintentional punctures with needlesticks or sharps, or accidental contact with bodily secretions, excretions and contaminated items (Wilburn, 2004). The occurrence of undesirable complications can arise from medical errors when safety guideline and control mechanisms are not followed. On occasion healthcare workers may accidentally acquire infections due to the misuse or improper fit of personal protective equipment (PPE) and coverings while attending to individuals seeking out medical attention that may be unexpectedly and unknowingly carrying a communicable disease
The specific code type for Eboneé is 20/02. This specific code type suggests Eboneé is extremely shy and possibly insecure. She is very much introverted and struggle in social situations. Some of the introversion and insecurity maybe attributed to possible depression, which may cause her to be guarded and encourage the desire to be alone and private.
(Tortora, Funke, & Case, 2013, p. 414) Most hospitalized patients will be immune compromised to some extent and the hospital, by nature, is a pathogen rich environment. Ongoing efforts to minimize pathogens in the environment by all hospital employees, patients and visitors are crucial. Infection control nurses and/or committees should work continuously to identify and eradicate possible infection sources. Equipment, especially respirators and humidifiers must be kept scrupulously clean lest they become reservoirs for microbial growth. (Tortora, Funke, & Case, 2013, p. 417) Strategically placed signs warning visitors to avoid entering the hospital if they are unwell, strict compliance with standard precautions, private rooms and special ventilation systems for contagious patients are all essential in the effort to minimize contamination. Occasionally, airborne and droplet precautions are necessary, but most pathogens responsible for common HAIs are spread by direct or indirect contact. Chain of transmission is therefore the parameter over which nurses have particular influence, as nurses have the most direct, hands-on contact with
Highlights of the defilement control information are that standard, contact and airborne security measures are endorsed for organization of hospitalized patients with suspect or certified MERS-CoV infection. For person cautious equipment
Relating back to my previous work I noted that it was essential that nurses wore aprons during patient care, ensuring that they discarded of them after patient contact. Not only does wearing an apron act as a barrier it is also recognised as a type of PPC (Personal protective clothing). Cadlin J, Stark S (2005) suggests that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) (1991, 1992) says “Health and Safety Regulations require that all healthcare employees are provided with personal protective clothing”. However McCullough (1998) suggests that nurses’ uniforms are not considered protective clothing and that protection within the NHS is provided by the use of disposable aprons. Surprisingly some healthcare workers and qualified nurses were not discarding aprons after patient contact, not only is this bad practice but it increases the risk of cross infection between patients. Babb et al (1983) within Candlin J, Stark S (2005) article found that “although micro-organisms can survive for varying lengths of time and adhere to plastic aprons, they do not multiply and are difficult to redistribute”.
Mr. Wright must be placed on airborne precautions to prevent the transmission of this contagious disease. When the patient coughs, the organism spreads through the air. Hence, he must be isolated in a private room and bathroom with negative pressure to prevent the contamination of the air outside his room. A high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter must be in place to clean the contaminated air in the room. The door must be kept closed except when staff or family members enter or exit the room. All healthcare workers entering the room must wear a disposable N95 respirator. They should be fitted for this respirator upon hired; in that way, they will use the appropriate size respirator to prevent exposure to the organism. Visitors should be offered a mask, and be instructed how to use it prior to entering the room. The negative pressure airflow in the room must be daily tested and recorded while it’s been used for airborne precautions. A hospital approved tuberculocidal disinfectant should be used to clean and disinfect the patient’s room and equipment.