Question

Explain how the universal precautions and infection control guidelines would apply to the physical examination techniques of inspection, percussion, palpation, and auscultation.

Answer 1

Universal precautions are the minimum infection prevention practices that apply to all patient care regardless of suspected or confirmed infection status of the patient, In any setting where health care is delivered. Universal precautions and infection control includes ;

* Hand hygiene

Hand hygiene is the most important meaure to prevent the spread of infection among patients. Education and training programs should througly address indication and techniques for hand hygiene practices. Hand hygiene should be done before all the steps in examination by using water and antimicrobial soap or use alcoholic based hand rub.

* Personal protective equipments

Personl protective equipment ( PPE) reffers to wearible equipment that is designed to protect health care professional from exposure to or contact with infectious agent. These include glows, face mask, protective eye wear, face shields, protective clothing ( reusable or disposible gown, jacket, labouratory coat).

- use of gloves in situation including possible contact with any body fluids. Eg : exposed skin that is abridged or with deramatits.

- use of mouth , nose and eye protection during the assessment that are likely to Generate felashes of body fluid.

* Respiratory hyigene

Respiratory hyigene infection prevention measures are designed to limit the transmission of respiratory pathogens spread by droplet or air borne routes. That also applies to anyone with signs of illness including cough, congestion, runny nose or increased production of respiratory secretion

* Sterilization and disinfection of patient care items and devices

Instrument processing required multiple steps using specialized equipments. All care items and devices should be sterilized or the surface of the devices free from micro organisms. It helps to reduce the risk of infection.

* Environmental infection prevention and control

Disinfection is generally a less lethal process of micrbial inactivation that eliminates virtually all recognised pathogenic microorganisms. Emphasise for cleaning and disinfection should be placed own surfaces that are most likely to become contaminated with pathogens including clinical contact surfaces( frequently touched surface such as light handles , trays, other assessment equipments).