Most often than not, we have the natural tendency to jump in and try to help save the life of an adult or infant in an accident or any other emergency situation. We do not stop to think about our own safety. It gives us a selfless altruistic feeling that we put the other person before our needs. But nothing is farther from the truth. YOUR safety is always first in any emergency. In other words, you have to make sure you are following the procedures for your own safety before you take care of the victim. This is because you can become the source of disease transmission if you do not practice what is known as the standard precaution.
Standard Precautions
Standard precautions are followed in an emergency situation which means that it is assumed that all bodily fluids are capable of transmitting infection. Therefore, it is very important for your safety and the safety of others that you follow standard precautions and practice personal hygiene. This is done by donning the appropriate personal protective equipment and by washing your hands frequently before and after contact with the victim.
Personal Protective Equipment
Microbes enter our body through portals of entry which in our case are our eyes, nose, mouth and open skin through wounds or cuts. In order to prevent the microbes from entering our body, we have to don personal protective equipment depending on the mode of transmission of the microbe. For instance, if the microbe is transmitted only through contact, then you need to use gloves before you touch the victim. Gloves will protect you from any disease that can be transmitted from the victim’s blood or any other bodily fluids. This is called direct contact transmission. Indirect contact transmission occurs when you touch a surface that is already contaminated by blood, bodily fluids or microbes. Washing your hands frequently before eating, touching your eyes, nose or mouth is the only way to prevent disease transmission by indirect contact.
Gloves – your Best Friend
Gloves are and will always be your best friend in any emergency and in any situation where you want to protect yourself from direct contact of blood or infectious organisms. But the truth of the matter is that not many people know how to deglove the correct way to prevent disease transmission. It is important for you to follow these safe practices while disposing of your soiled gloves or else you run the risk of contaminating surfaces and surroundings with the infectious organisms on the gloves. Here are the instructions for taking off soiled gloves the correct way:
- With both hands pointed down, pinch the glove of one hand at the wrist with the other hand, taking care not to touch anywhere outside the gloved area.
- Carefully pull the glove inside out and scrunch it inside the palm of the other gloved hand.
- Now insert a fingertip of your degloved hand under the glove at the wrist of the gloved hand without touching any part of the soiled glove.
- Carefully pull the glove inside out with the scrunched up soiled glove of the other hand inside as well.
- Toss the soiled gloves in the appropriate disposal area.
- Wash both your hands thoroughly with warm water and soap.
Barrier Device for Providing CPR
In case you have to provide CPR (cardio pulmonary resuscitation), and you do not have a mask, just proceed with the compressions. Do not attempt mouth to mouth resuscitation if you do not have the barrier device for giving rescue breaths.
These are some of the important tips that you should follow in any emergency situation to prevent disease transmission. If you are a healthcare worker or you have been certified as a CPR provider, it is recommended that you keep a kit in the dashboard of your car consisting of gloves and a disposable mask for giving rescue breaths. So, before giving care to any victim, remember to ALWAYS use gloves to prevent disease transmission through blood or bodily fluids.