Title: Demonstrate the principles of maintaining aseptic conditions.
Course: Medication Aide (14051-36) > Section: Preparing for Safe Administration of Medications

Demonstration should include

- definitions of aseptic and pathogen
- the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards for equipment use when working in facilities
- knowledge of the steps in standard precautions:
  - Always wear gloves when in contact with body fluids, or when a possibility of contact with body fluids exists.
  - Perform appropriate hand hygiene before and after all procedures.
  - If skin is contaminated with blood or body fluid, wash immediately with soap and water.
  - If assisting a client with insulin injections or blood glucose monitoring, place used needles and lancets into a rigid sharps container.
  - Discard body waste directly into the toilet. Discard waste containing blood in accordance with the facility’s exposure control plan.
  - Discard used gloves into plastic bags for disposal in designated containers.
  - Spills of blood, or body fluid visibly stained with blood, should be cleaned with chlorine bleach or a spill kit and left for several minutes, in accordance with the facility’s exposure control plan.
- personal protective equipment (PPE)
  - should be worn when there is danger of contact with blood or body fluids
  - includes face coverings, gloves, gowns, and goggles
- employee precautions
  - All employees must have access to protective gloves.
  - Should a needle stick occur, follow facility policy to protect employee’s and/or client’s health.
  - Working in the healthcare industry also puts one at greater risk for other illnesses. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is responsible for creating immunization recommendations and has special recommendations just for healthcare personnel.
  - Open wounds or breaks in the skin should be covered with a protective dressing.
  - Cleaning and disinfecting storage areas:
    - It is important to use proper cleaning and disinfecting practices to maintain aseptic conditions.
    - Always use approved cleaners and follow the facilities procedures for cleaning.
    - PPE should be worn when processing dirty equipment.
  - Disposing of infectious waste:
    - Infectious wastes should be contained in red, leak-proof plastic bags.
    - Bags must be labeled, sealed, and disposed of according to facility policy.
    - Needles and syringes must be placed in special rigid containers for disposal.
  - Special considerations for the MA:
    - Do not come to work ill.
    - Ensure open skin areas or draining wounds are covered.
    - Stay up to date on required immunizations.

Process/Skill Questions:

- What are the different types of pathogens (e.g., bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, rickettsia), and how do they differ from one another?
- What are medication-resistant organisms, and why are these problematic?
- What are transmission-based Standard Precautions, and how and when is PPE used?
- What is the procedure to clean a blood spill?