Wednesday, April 25, 2012

4 Kinds of Workers Who Should Be Trained in First Aid


A lot of people, other than those who work in the medical field need first aid training. It is safe to say that anyone who is around a number of people on a daily basis should learn first aid. This is because as much as we think we are safe, and nothing wrong could happen, unfortunately it could. You could slip and fall on your way to work, your child could have a fall while playing in the park, there could be a car collision near your house or a fire could have broken out in a nearby area. You could either be a by-stander, or be one that helps a large number of people get on the road to recovery.
First aid is, simply put, the first kind of treatment given to a sick or an injured person. This could be before professional help arrives or even at the Emergency Room (ER) of a hospital. First aid training helps curb bleeding, teaches you how to administer Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), take care of minor cuts, bruises and burns.
There are a number of people who must take up first aid training such as:
• Healthcare professionals: Every single person associated with the medical field, from doctors, nurses, and attendants and absolutely anyone else should learn first aid. Over and above this anyone working at a hospital should know first aid; this not only helps in a crisis situation, but also raises the standards of the hospital.
• Rescue workers: This refers to firefighters, police officers, lifeguards and security guards. In case of emergency, civilians will look up to you for help. Being trained in first aid and CPR will make a huge difference in bringing the situation in control.
• Physical fitness personnel: Gym trainers, sports coaches, aerobics instructors, massage therapists and dance instructors, there is a lot of physical activity around their work areas. A fall resulting in a sprain or a fracture could be taken care of instantly.
• School staff and child-care facilitators: You need to make sure your child is safe when you are not around. Children by nature are difficult to handle and when they are in groups an accident is bound to happen. Make sure you are certain that your child's school or day-care center has a first aid trained professionals.
It has become increasingly common that large offices have a Safety Committee or a Safety Officer. This committee or officer must be trained in first aid and CPR administration. Over and above this they also make sure the office conducts regular fire drills and keeps fire exits clear and safety norms up to date. They also take care of a well-equipped first aid kit so that there is a sense of safety that employees feel while working in the office. Workplaces also have tie ups with hospitals or clinics where they can take their employees in case professional help is required.
First aid training makes you aware of how you can help save lives with basic essentials. Make sure you speak to as many people as possible to spread the word about first-aid training.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

First Aid Training For Kids: 5 Points to Consider


Kids first learn about safety when told by parents not to touch a hot stove. Kids have an amazing capacity to learn new things. So you need to teach them from a very young age about safety and what to do when emergencies arise.
Accidents and emergencies are frightening to adults, so how much more for children. They come as a surprise and therefore it becomes difficult to react properly. However, with a little knowledge and planning you can avoid a big disaster. Children are prone to accidents. Though they are young they can protect themselves and others by some simple measures. It is always better to discuss first aid with your kids rather than waiting for an emergency to happen first.
Five points to consider while teaching your kids about first aid:
• Talk about First aid: First of all, you need to talk to them about safety and fist aid. The basics of first aid can be adapted so that your kids can understand them however old they may be. There is no need to go into details. Talk about situations they may encounter in everyday life like bruises, cuts, choking, etc. In the end, make them tell you what they learned so that you can clear doubts and misunderstandings.
• Act it out: Make up a situation and act it out with your kids. Acting out helps to strengthen a kid's knowledge. Alarming and fearful situations can be dealt with while acting it out. It builds their confidence to be able to do the same thing when emergencies arise. Discuss how to respond in certain situations and allow them to practice on you or on dolls.
• Calling 911: A child should be taught to call 911 in case of an emergency. The first thing your child should do is call 911 before attempting to help the victim. Teach your child to use the phone and what numbers to press. Explain to your child what situations constitute an emergency, like someone passing out, choking, convulsing, and so on.
• Bleeding: Show your child how to control bleeding by applying pressure using a cloth or bandage and pressing it on the wound. Allow your child to practice bleeding control techniques on dolls.
• Breathing and basic CPR: Based on the age of your child, you can teach him the important points of chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Instruct your child to check if the person is breathing and teach him to administer gentle breaths. A child should also learn how to check the pulse. All this information is to be given to a child who is old enough to understand and apply it. Therefore, parental discernment is necessary here.
The home is the best place to provide first aid training for your child. In familiar surroundings they learn faster. There have been many cases where little children have saved their parent's life by calling 911 for help when their parents became unconscious, all because that's what they had been taught.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

3 Work Spheres That Need Bloodborne Pathogen Training


A very obvious answer to this question would be, those employed with the healthcare industry. But there are a number of other work environments that deal with blood or bodily fluids. People employed at such places could be at a huge risk of contracting the disease or transmitting it to someone else. It could happen accidentally, but one needs to be aware and prevent such situations. The training leaves you with a well-rounded understanding of such transmittable diseases, their vaccines and preventive measures too.
Bloodborne pathogens are micro-organisms present in the blood that could lead to a number of diseases. There are a number of institutes that offer certified courses for the same. People employed in the following kind of work spheres should be trained in bloodborne pathogen training.
• Rescue operators: This includes people who work with the Police, Fire brigade or even lifeguards. They get involved in rescuing people from various situations that may involve blood or bodily fluids. They need to be trained to make sure they don't put themselves in danger of contracting the disease while at work. Bloodborne pathogen training will make them aware of a host of diseases that can spread through bodily fluids. It will also teach them how to handle bodily fluids, the importance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and steps to take in case they do accidentally touch such fluids.
• Crime scene cleaners: They are entrusted with the job of cleaning up a place where a crime has taken place and bring it back to its original condition. This 'cleaning' is done in a number of ways, sometimes with the help of harsh industrial agents too. Those employed as crime scene cleaners need to be knowledgeable about how to clean these fluids, without coming in contact with them directly. They also need to know the importance of PPE so that none of these fluids touch their skin or splash around their eyes, nose or mouth.
• Child Care facilitators: At a school or a day-care facility, there could be a number of ways that bloodborne pathogens can spread. The school authorities should hire those individuals who have complete knowledge and a certificate stating that they are trained to handle such situations. If you leave your child at a day-care facility, check if the person in charge takes preventive measures to keep such diseases at bay. The last thing you want is your child coming home with a bloodborne disease.
Other occupations such as mining, construction, mechanics or for that matter even in the hospitality sector need the knowledge of bloodborne pathogens. An accident could occur at any of these places and making sure you don't risk anyone to the disease is extremely important.
Most people don't know that there are such diseases that can be contracted through blood. It is part of the employer's duty to be aware of such developments and encourage employees to enroll with such certified courses. Keep track of upgraded trainings or seminars and make sure you use them to your company's benefit.

Saturday, April 7, 2012

What to Look for in a Medical Billing Company


A medical billing company can provide a solution to healthcare providers who need to turn their attention on their patients. You are experts in your field but you need to manage the financial end of your business as well. For those in this field, it pays to turn to a company that can offer the specific services you need so you can put all of your time and attention into the patients. Hiring a business to handle your claims and billing is a no-brainer. However, not all companies offer the same benefits or provide the same attention.
Tips for Hiring the Best
Finding the best medical billing company for your needs starts with careful attention paid to the business's ability to meet your individual needs. This is often dependent on factors such as choosing the right organization to mesh with your practice. The following are some tips for finding the right company to do the job for you.
-Ensure the company offers services that you need, but also understands your business. For example, depending on your area of specialization, you may prefer to work with a company that has experience in that area. Whether you work in orthopedics or radiology, you need a business that understands your business.
-Find out about the training of the employees. Not only should they be trained, but they should be continuing to be trained. Some agencies ensure their employees receive the latest training necessary to stay up to date on all medical industry requirements.
-Who is the business hiring? Chances are good you will want to choose an agency that hires legal consultants and accounting professionals who specialize in your industry. This ensures you are getting the best possible service.
-Ensure that the business uses the highest quality document management system and that any level of automation or technology necessary is employed. This ensures efficiency and productivity that gets results.
-It is essential that anyone you hire to work with your business for these needs is highly skilled and proficient with all HIPAA requirements. This is not something to assume is the case. Investigate the business to learn what the agency really offers.
Hiring a medical billing company is a big decision that revolves around a range of key factors. However, it is never easy to find a company to work with that can meet all of your goals unless you put the time into the process. That often requires learning as much as you can about the agency's practices and successes within the fields you are in. Do not hesitate to hold off hiring a business until you feel comfortable doing so.

Monday, April 2, 2012

Infection Control of Blood Borne Pathogens: 3 Major Factors


Infection control of blood borne pathogens is preventing their spread from one individual to another and thereby preventing illness and infection. The first step in infection control is to understand how the germs spread. The second step is, knowing how to control their spread.
There are 3 factors involved in infection control. There are discussed below:
• Knowing and practicing universal precautions 
Universal precautions protect you from contracting infection by bloodborne pathogens. They also keep others around you safe. Hand washing, gloving and wearing protective clothing are the main precautions to be followed to control the spread of infection. Universal precautions are standards of infection control. They protect you from blood borne diseases like Hepatitis B, C and HIV. You must follow these precautions when you come in contact with blood and other human body fluids like semen, vaginal secretions, saliva, nasal secretions, vomit, urine and excretion.

Hand washing: Thorough, regular washing of hands will help to curb the spread of infection. Hospital employees must always wash hands before and after contact with patients and while using sterilized equipments.
Gloving: While attending patients and especially whenever you come in contact with body fluid you are required to wear disposable latex gloves. This is a part of the universal precautions. Correct donning and removing of gloves is crucial in preventing the spread of blood borne pathogens. Gloves should be changed after every use. New gloves are to be used for new patients as used or contaminated gloves can transfer germs from one patient to another. In the event of a glove tearing while working on a patient, take it off immediately and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water.
Personal Protective Clothing: Put in the protective clothing in the prescribed order, i.e. gown, mask or respirator, goggles or face shields, and gloves. Be careful while putting the clothing on and off.
• Cleaning and Disinfection 
The second way to prevent the spread of blood borne pathogens is by cleaning and disinfecting the surroundings. It is essential for health care employers not to infect others and also not to be infected by others. Regular cleaning of surfaces and other items with soap and water is the best way to prevent infection. Going a step ahead of cleaning is called Disinfection. This involves soaking the surface or item with a special solution for sometime after washing with soap and water. Soaking in the special solution kills any extra germs. The best and most common washing solution is water and household bleach.

• Awareness and Reporting 
Be aware of the various signs and symptoms of blood borne pathogen infections. Report them to a doctor accurately and in a timely manner. This will help the doctor is correctly diagnosing the infection and thus providing you with the best treatment.

It is not enough to be aware of the signs. Reporting the incident immediately is essential. Instant reporting permits immediate medical action which can prevent the development of Hepatitis B and enable the doctor to know if there is risk of potential HIV infection. Instant reporting also helps in avoiding spread to other individuals. Moreover, it helps the people in-charge to assess the situation and find means to avoid the same situation from repeating in the future.