EMS Provider Hygiene

Course overview

Objectives. List the general hygiene rules and procedures. Explain the CDC recommendations for various types of exposures. Content. I. Always wash hands. a. Before and after patient contact. b. Before eating. c. After cleaning the ambulance or equipment. d. After using the restroom. e. After nose blowing coughing or sneezing. II. CDC recommendations for washing with soap and water. a. Reference 36 CDC Hand Hygiene Guideline. b. Remove all jewelry. c. Wet hands with clean running water. d. Apply soap. e. Scrub the back of hands. f. Clean underneath fingernails. g. Continuously rub hands for at least 20 seconds. h. Rinse hands well under running water. i. Dry hands using a clean towel or air dry. III. Alcohol based hand cleaner or sanitizer. a. Should contain at least 60 percent alcohol. b. Reduces number of germs. c. Does not eliminate all types of germs. d. Does not kill viruses. i. Creates inhospitable environments for viruses to live. e. Ineffective when hands are visibly dirty. f. Techniques for using hand sanitizer. i. Know that soap and water is more effective than hand sanitizer. ii. Apply to palm of one hand. iii. Rub hands together. iv. Rub all surfaces of hands and fingers until dry. v. Wash hands when soap and water become available. IV. Eye and face protections. a. Eye protection is recommended by the CDC when workers may be at risk of acquiring infectious diseases via ocular exposure. i. Adenovirus. ii. Herpes simplex. iii. Staphylococcus aureus. iv. Hepatitis B and C.