Hand Hygiene: A Big Deal Before Covid

There is more to know about hand hygiene than you would think.  First, poor hand hygiene is the number one cause of the spread of infectious disease in a hospital system.  When you wash your hand you should not skimp on the soap, nor the time.  To prevent chapping or side effects form lots of washing you should pat your hands dry over rubbing them dry.  Also after washing your hands you should turn the water off with a towel rather than touch the handle and get your hands dirty again.  Rings are not recommended while working.  They have sharp edges which can cause injury.  Germs seem to gather under a ring.  And finally those who wear a ring have a tendency to wash their hands less often.

E-Training: Hazardous Materials

The most important detail here is to be aware if you work with hazardous material you are entitled to see the Material Safety Data Sheets.  These sheets include identification of the material, identifies the manufacturer, safe handling, description and what to do for crisis situations.  I don't work directly with these materials but they are around at home and at work.  It is best to know what you are doing when using them

**E-training: Cultural Diversity

Working in  county with people from all over the world it is important to have respect for people from all cultures.  I like one of the standards suggested, remember that people are individuals even inside their culture.  Other suggestions include showing respect for all people, know how your own culture influences you, be sensitive to the culture of others, provide services in a native language or through interpreter if necessary.  Culture includes customs, language, religion, ethnicity, heritage and community.

**E-Training: Fire Safety

This hits home in my life right now as I heal from a burn on my back after lighting myself on fire.  Fire is something you have to be carful with, and there are many sources of burns in our homes and at work.   Fire requires three things, heat, oxygen and fuel.  You fight fire by removing one of these things.  When you discover a fire in the hospital RACE--Rescue or remove those at risk, Initiate alert system, Contain the fire (such as closing door) and Extinguish.  As for using the extinguisher pull the pin, aim at the base, squeeze the handle and sweep from side to side.

**E-Training: Infectious Diseases

The things I took from this training is that the two most important methods to avoid spreading germs and disease is to wash you hands frequently and the second is to cough correctly; not into you hand but into the crook of your elbow.  Being aware of these two measure will go a long way to prevent the spread of disease.

**E-Training Tuberculosis

I always have about 20 e-trainings to do each year.  I also have to get checked door TB annually, and got my poke yesterday, to be read tomorrow.  Risk of Tb is greater for those from countries with high tuberculosis, those with low resistance, and for those in close contact with others, such as in group settings or in jail.  Regular checks are important for these people.  Also of importance is the rapid increase in treatment-resistive tuberculosis.  For this reason it is important to verify that people take their medication.

**Podemos Ayudar: Santa Clara County Suicide and Crisis Hot Line: Spanish