Maharashtra HSC NSQF Healthcare GDA key terms

A trained bedside caregiver who helps patients with daily living activities, comfort, mobility and basic observation under the direction of a nurse or doctor, and reports changes in the patient's condition.

The set of tasks and responsibilities a worker is trained, permitted and authorised to perform. A GDA must stay within this boundary and hand over anything beyond it to a qualified nurse or doctor.

The act of a senior professional assigning a specific task to another worker who is competent to do it, while the senior keeps overall responsibility for the patient's care and outcome.

The clear line of reporting in a health facility, showing whom a worker informs first and whom to escalate to when a problem is beyond their authority or skill.

Everyday self-care tasks such as bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, transferring and walking. Assessing how much help a patient needs with these tasks guides the care plan.

The body's tendency to keep internal conditions such as temperature, fluid balance, blood sugar and pH within narrow limits, using feedback mechanisms that correct any drift.

The standard reference posture in which a person stands upright, faces forward, arms hang at the sides with palms forward, and feet point ahead. Body directions and positions are described relative to it.

The skin, hair, nails and associated glands. It forms a protective barrier against infection and injury, helps regulate body temperature and sensation, and is the first tissue at risk in immobility.

The condition of skin that is intact, clean, hydrated and free of breaks, redness or breakdown. Preserving it requires regular inspection, repositioning, dryness control and adequate nutrition.

Localised damage to skin and underlying tissue caused by prolonged pressure, friction or shear, usually over bony prominences such as the sacrum, heels and hips, especially in immobile or malnourished patients.

Regularly changing a patient's body position, often at planned intervals, to relieve pressure on the same areas, improve comfort and circulation, and prevent pressure injuries and stiffness.

Lying flat on the back with the face upward. It is common for rest, examination and some procedures, but needs monitoring because it can worsen breathing in some patients and load the heels and sacrum.

Lying on one side, with the lower arm forward and the upper leg bent and supported so the body stays aligned. Pillows between the knees and behind the back keep the position stable.

Arranging the head, trunk and limbs so that the skeleton is in a balanced, natural posture. Good alignment reduces strain on joints, muscles and breathing, and prevents deformities during bed rest.

Planned movement of each joint through its normal arc, either actively by the patient or passively by the caregiver, to keep joints flexible and muscles from wasting during bed rest.

A structured check of factors that make a patient likely to fall, such as age, medicines, dizziness, weakness, confusion and previous falls, used to plan supervision, bed height and call-bell access.

Practical measures that reduce the chance of falling, such as keeping the bed low and braked, clearing the floor, using non-slip footwear, lighting the path and answering calls promptly.

Any physical or chemical means that limits a person's freedom of movement. It is used only as a last resort, on proper authorisation, with monitoring, and never as punishment or staff convenience.

The set of practices and precautions that stop germs from spreading between patients, staff and visitors, including hand hygiene, protective equipment, cleaning, waste handling and safe injection practice.

The sequence by which infection spreads: a germ, a reservoir, a way out, a route of transmission, a way in, and a susceptible person. Breaking any link prevents the infection.

Basic infection-control measures applied to every patient regardless of diagnosis, including hand hygiene, gloves, gowns, masks, eye protection, safe sharps handling and proper cleaning of equipment.

Barrier items worn to protect the wearer and others from contact with body fluids and germs, such as gloves, gown, mask, goggles and face shield. It must be put on and removed in the correct order.

Cleaning the hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based rub at the right moments, especially before and after patient contact, to remove germs and stop cross-transmission.

Waste generated during diagnosis, treatment or immunisation of people or animals, including used sharps, soiled dressings, blood-stained items and expired medicines, which must be segregated and disposed of safely.

Sorting biomedical waste at the point of generation into containers marked by colour, such as yellow for infectious or anatomical waste and red for contaminated recyclables, so each stream is treated correctly.

A puncture-resistant, leak-proof, clearly labelled box used to discard needles, blades and other sharp items immediately after use, filled only to the marked level and never overfilled or recapped by hand.

A wound caused by a needle, blade or other sharp object that may carry blood-borne germs into the body. It needs immediate washing, reporting and follow-up as per facility protocol.

Accidental piercing of the skin by a used needle, a common sharps injury in health care. The area is washed with soap and water, the event reported at once and medical advice sought promptly.

Short-term medicines or vaccines given soon after exposure to a serious infection, such as HIV or hepatitis B, to reduce the chance that the infection takes hold. It follows facility protocol and medical advice.

Measured indicators of basic body function: temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure and often oxygen saturation and pain. They are recorded and compared over time to detect deterioration.

The rhythmic expansion of an artery felt as the heart beats. It is counted for a full minute and described by rate, rhythm and strength, commonly at the radial or carotid site.

The force of blood against artery walls, recorded as two numbers: the higher systolic pressure when the heart contracts and the lower diastolic pressure when it relaxes between beats.

The percentage of haemoglobin in arterial blood that is carrying oxygen, usually measured with a pulse oximeter clipped to a finger. A falling value can signal breathing or circulation trouble.

A life-threatening state in which blood flow to organs is inadequate, causing low blood pressure, rapid weak pulse, cool clammy skin, confusion and thirst. It needs urgent emergency response.

The emergency actions that support breathing and circulation until advanced help arrives, chiefly recognising cardiac arrest, calling for help, starting chest compressions and giving rescue breaths if trained.

A life-saving procedure combining chest compressions, and rescue breaths when trained, to keep blood and oxygen moving to the brain and heart after breathing and heartbeat have stopped.

A patient's voluntary agreement to a procedure after being told clearly, in a language they understand, what will be done, why, the risks and alternatives, and their right to refuse.

The entitlements of every person receiving care, including respect and dignity, privacy, information, informed consent, freedom from abuse, and the right to complain or refuse treatment.

The duty to keep a patient's personal and medical information private, sharing it only with those who need it for care and never discussing it in public places or with unauthorised people.

Recording any unexpected event, such as a fall, medication error or needle-stick, in the facility's system promptly and factually, so the cause can be studied and harm prevented.