Being educated in first aid means understanding the fundamentals of saving a life. However, it is equally important to protect both the first aider and the patient while doing so. This article illustrates the best way to reduce the risk of infections whenever first aid is given. These rules apply to everyone, from ordinary people to specialists.
Why Follow Infection Control While Giving First Aid?
There are very high chances that the skin may be penetrated by bacteria, viruses, and many more while giving or receiving first aid. This can lead to serious infections. Infection control for first aiders is extremely important because:
- For the wounded person: Care should be taken to use as much antiseptic as possible to prevent any remaining bacteria from infecting open cuts.
- For the first aider: The risks of coming in contact with any bloodborne pathogens like HIV, hepatitis, or other pathogens cannot be taken.
- For third parties: Every effort must be made, such as washing hands and wearing gloves, to prevent infections from being passed on to other people or other areas.
In both performing and receiving aid, these risks must always be taken into account.
What Practices Can We Follow to Reduce the Risk of Infection?
Putting on protective clothing
One way for infection prevention during first aid is the use of personal protective equipment. Some of them are:
- Use disposable gloves to protect your hands from body fluids, blood, and wound
- Any exposure to airborne germs and pathogens can be prevented using a face mask.
- Use Eye Shields to protect the insides of the eyes.
Doing a Proper Hand Wash
Let us look into the procedures:
- Always wash your hands with soap and clean water before treatment and after with soap.
- Alcohol-based hand sanitizer can alcohol would be a good alternative to soap.
- Avoid touching your face or anything else while helping out a victim.
Sterile Equipment Use
Make sure you always use clean gauze or pads, antiseptic wipes or solutions, and fresh bandages. These reduce contamination of wounds while cleaning or dressing them.
Safely handling bodily fluids:
Wearing gloves can avoid exposure to bodily fluids like blood, saliva, urine, vomit, etc. Always store these items in sealed plastic bags to reduce the spreading of germs. Surfaces or tools that were exposed to the fluid should always be cleaned or disinfected.
Take care of the cuts and wounds in the correct way:
Infections can be avoided by appropriately cleaning the wounds. Wound care starts with the following steps:
- Disinfect the injured area then cover it with a sterile bandage.
- Wash the wound with clean water.
- Wound care should still be practiced with lower levels of contamination in mind.
- While Engaging with a Large Group of People
Cross-Contamination:
When administering first aid, there is some risk of cross-contamination with large audiences. An extra pair of gloves, masks, and other sanitizing materials is always a good idea.
With Sharp Items or Needles:
If you are disposing of broken glass, needles, or other sharp objects, handle it with care.
While Looking After Weak People:
It is crucial to uphold a hygienic surrounding for people who are more susceptible, for example, kids and old people.
Don’ts:
- Forgetting to put on PPE: Make sure you have shield gear regardless of the circumstance. Even the smallest of cuts can leave you susceptible to infection.
- Use of Contaminated Wound Treatment Items: Reusing used gloves, gauze, and bandages can cross-infect the new wound.
- Completing The Task Disregarding Procedural Norms: Performing the process in this manner may increase the chances of contracting an infection.
Things You May Need for Infection Control
Here is a rapid list of every single item that is objectively necessary for a first aid kit along with its uses:
- Antiseptic Wipes For hand and surface disinfecting purposes
- Face Masks Filtering masks that protect against airborne infections
- Disposable gloves are used to keep hands from coming in contact with blood or any bodily secretion
- Sterile bandages intend to obstruct the penetration of dirt into sore wounds
- The antiseptic solution acts on bacteria in wounds to prevent infection
Infectious agents carried by blood like HIV, and hepatitis are a serious concern in case of first aid injuries. They are transmissible by:
- Direct contact with infected blood or any other body fluid.
- Cuts or through mucous membranes, eyes, nose, mouth
Effective measures reduce the transmission chances.
Understanding the Blood-borne Pathogens and Its Risk Areas
The Pathogens kept inside the Blood and its viruses Such As HIV And Hepatitis B are of scary concern for injuries that need first aid. They Are Easily Transmissible By:
- Direct contact through infected blood or bodily fluids.
- Cuts or through mucous membranes like eyes, nose, and mouth.
Taking proper precautions effectively reduces the chances of transmission.
FAQs
What is the primary measure to aid infection control?
The most preliminary step in confronting an infected individual’s wound.
Does applying hand sanitizer remove the need for washing hands?
Yes! But only when soap and water are not available. Nevertheless, remember that employing these techniques should always be your last option.
What should I do if I have had accidental contact with biological fluids?
Start with cleaning the area with soap and water. Then disinfect the affected surfaces and if necessary seek medical attention.
How can I maintain sterile control of the wound in a first-aid situation?
Utilize pre-packaged sterile supplies while being cautious not to touch the wound. When improvised tools are used, the risk of infection increases.
What is the role of proper wasting in infection control?
The minimal chances of infection caused by unused killer pathogens from the items that were l thrown away will be achieved.
Conclusion: Safety comes first in First Aid
Infections can be caused to both the victim and the first aider and therefore, it is important to understand the first aid measures and hygiene practices to be performed in order not to render the situation worse. First aid applied in good faith but with unclean equipment and no hygiene observance per the set procedures is dangerous. It is safe to note that when great injuries have been sustained, time is life and so is an infection.
