…..other body fluids.
Always put your safety first, this goes beyond the obvious of what we can see or hear. It includes dangers that may not be so apparent such as poisonous fumes or infectious diseases. The following infectious diseases that most people have heard of:
AIDS (HIV+)
Influenza
Hepatitis
TB
Herpes
Meningitis
An ambulance or emergency room is full of protective barriers used to reduce the chances of a staff member coming into contact with a person’s body fluids and in turn minimises the risk of cross infection. You too need to take similar actions and protect yourself. The use of face masks and gloves are two precautions that can be taken in an emergency situation and availability of these items should be of paramount importance to all first responders.
Other considerations include:
Rolling down your long sleeves
Covering cuts with waterproof plasters
Washing your hands after treating a person
If you do not have gloves, plastic bags on the hands will do. Treat all medical emergency in the same way.
Remember the word STOP:
STOP-Assess the scene,
THINK-Have we called 111, Can I cope,
OBSERVE-Keep checking for dangers,
PROTECT-Have I got gloves or a mask!
Tomorrow we will start our look at the Chain of Survival….
For great health information check out Health Navigator New Zealand where you will find expert opinion online.
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Currently, there are temporary changes to the steps to be followed in resuscitation. These can be found in the video below or by clicking here to see the New Zealand Resuscitation Council temporary guideline recommendation.
Click the link to go to the New Zealand Resuscitation Council Covid-19 recommended modifications for delivering resuscitation whilst the pandemic remains a threat. Click play to see a short video outlining CPR modifications that should be followed during the pandemic.
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Acknowledgement
Data and information are fact-checked against various recognised sources, including the New Zealand Resuscitation Council, Health Navigator New Zealand, St John, and other recognised entities specialising in the specific subject content. It should be noted that variances in protocols exist and where necessary are identified.