Some communicable diseases can be cured with antibiotics such as st rep throat. Others including the common cold will have to run their course. You can do your part by remembering to wash your hands, ta king your vitamins, being current on all immunizations, and getting an annual flu shot. Learning about these types of diseases is an important part of the N ursing Assistant program. Most medical facilities train all new empl oyees in the area of communicable diseases. There is also ongoing tr aining. While preventing the spread of communicable diseases is impo rtant in any work environment, it is especially important in a medic al setting. Each medical agency will have different processes and procedures fo r handling the spread of communicable diseases. Make sure you are w ell trained in identifying them, noticing the onset, and knowing ho w to handle each type of situation. Epidemics of communicable disea ses require emergency procedures to take place. It is very importan t that you agency trains all employees in that area as well. Nursing Assistances come into contact with bodily fluids of patients
A gift from www.dotcomhunter.com
w
w
w
.d o
tc om
Nurse Assistants and Communicable Diseases Communicable diseases are those that can be transferred from one ind ividual to another. These include the common cold, tuberculosis, the flu, and HIV, herpes, measles, chicken pox, lice, and strep throat. Are of these are highly contagious. For those who already have medi cal issues, their immune system has a hard time fighting off anythin g else, so they are very susceptible. Communicable diseases spread by human waste including saliva, stool s, urine, blood, and other bodily fluids. Airborne droplets from th e nose and mouth are also a common transmitter. Since communicable diseases often spread like wildfire if not proper ly contained, it is everyone’s responsibility to do all they can to maintain their own health. Washing your hands often is a very good p lace to start. Most germs can’t survive soap and water. Nursing Assi stants are encouraged to wash their hands more than most people beca use they are in constant contact with other people. As a Nurse Assistant, it is your responsibility to immediately notif y your supervisor if you develop the symptoms of any communicable di sease. They can then determine a course of action. It may be recomme nded that you don’t come to work until the communicable disease has run its course. Depending on the disease, you might be able to conti nue working with a respirator to prevent passing it to anyone else. In some cases, it may need to be reported to the health department.
hu nt e
r.c
om
A gift from www.dotcomhunter.com
w
w
w
.d o
tc om
hu nt e
r.c
on a regular basis, and this is the most common method that they ar e infected with communicable diseases. You should always use rubber gloves when doing tasks such as changing soiled bedding and clothing and empting bedpans. The use of a sterile disinfectant while cleani ng is important as well. If you do get bodily fluids on you, immedia tely was the area with soap and water, then report the incident. You r report needs to include what took place and what bodily fluids you came into contact with. Communicable diseases are an area many people don’t know much about . It is important that Nursing Assistants do some research on their own to make sure they fully understand the health risks involved w ith coming into contact with communicable diseases. While it is ver y rare, there have been reports of Nursing Assistants being infecte d with HIV and other potentially deadly diseases. PPPPP Word Count 559
om