Universal Precautions And Basic Wound Management

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Universal Precautions And Basic Wound Management

• Gregory Serfer, D.O.
• Internal Medicine

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What are Universal Precautions?

• Universal Precautions are infection control
  guidelines designed to protect workers from
  exposure to disease spread by blood and certain
  body fluids.

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Universal Precautions

• The U.S. Centers for Disease Control developed
  the strategy of Universal Precautions to
  prevent contract with blood and other body
  fluids. This strategy stresses that all people
  should be assumed to be infectious with blood
  and/or body fluid borne diseases.

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Dangerous Body Fluids

• Blood
• Semen
• Vaginal Secretions
• Synovial (Joint) Fluids
• Cerebrospinal Fluid
• Amniotic Fluid
• Saliva / Sputum

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Safe Body Fluids

• Sweat
• Urine
• Vomitus
• Feces
• Tears

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Universal Precautions

• Universal Precautions should be applied
  whenever in doubt as to the specific body fluid
  and/or if there is any possibility that the fluid
  is contaminated with blood.

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Blood/Body Fluid Borne Pathogens

• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
• Viral Hepatitis
• Syphilis
• Herpes Simplex Virus
• Bacterial Infections

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How Do I Protect Myself?
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Personal Protective Equipment

• Gloves extending above the wrists
• Gowns
• Shoe Covers
• Goggles or Glasses w/ side shields
• Masks

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Protective Behaviors

• Use common sense
• Survey the surroundings
• Remove nonessential bystanders
• Seek professional assistance and/or advice
• Wash hands with soap and warm water frequently

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Public Protective Equipment

• Emergency Eye Wash Station
• Access to copious amounts of warm water
• Antibacterial Soap
• Clean towels
• OSHA Approved First-Aid Kit

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Basic Wound Management
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Goals of Wound Management

• Treat the injured
• Ensure the safety of the care givers
• Prevent others from becoming injured
• Ensure the practice of Universal Precautions

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Wound Care Procedures

• Assess threats to life or limb
• Control Bleeding
• Irrigate and clean wound with copious amounts of
  tap water
• Prevent infection
• Note mechanism of injury
• Seek professional attention if needed

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Control of Bleeding

• Practice Universal Precautions
• Call 911 for spurting or pumping bleeding
• Call 911 for large amounts of bleeding
• Call 911 or seek professional care for bleeding
  that doesnt stop
• Apply direct pressure to wound (preferably with
  clean gauze)

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Control of Bleeding

• Only tourniquet as a last resort
• Elevate a bleeding limb above heart level
• Make sure victim is not in danger of falling
• Do not give aspirin, naproxen, or ibuprofen to
  victim unless directed to by a physician

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Infection Control

• Irrigate the wound, if bleeding is controlled,
  with copious amounts of tap water
• Obtain Tetanus Vaccination records
• Seek professional advice regarding need for
  further Tetanus boosters, antibiotics, and/or
  wound cleaning
• Maintain good hygeine

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THANK YOU