Infection Control, Safety, and Occupational Health
Infection control and occupational health items test standard precautions, PPE, exposure management, and responder safety.
Core rules
- Standard precautions apply to all patients: hand hygiene, gloves, gown, mask, and eye protection based on anticipated exposure.
- Hand hygiene before and after patient contact and after glove removal. Use soap and water or alcohol-based rub.
- Use airborne precautions for suspected tuberculosis or measles; droplet for influenza or meningitis; contact for C. difficile or scabies.
- Do not recap needles; dispose immediately in a sharps container. Report needlestick injuries immediately and follow post-exposure prophylaxis protocol.
- Clean and disinfect equipment and ambulance surfaces between patients. Maintain immunizations.
- Manage fatigue, stress, and scene hazards; driving safety is part of occupational health.
Worked example
After an IV attempt, a paramedic sustains a needlestick from a used needle. She washes the site with soap and water, reports immediately, and follows the exposure protocol, including source testing and prophylaxis evaluation.
Traps
Recapping needles; removing PPE in the wrong order; ignoring hand hygiene; and failing to report exposures.