Precautions as a Medical Assistant In the Medical Assistant profession it is important to take every safety precaution possible. Sometimes a Medical Assistant may have to come in contact with syringes to either give injections, or dispose of contaminated medical supplies (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2012-2013). It is important to be cautious of what you are doing because there are many different diseases that a Medical Assistant may come in contact with. HIV and Hepatitis B are two diseases that a Medical Assistant may come in contact with in this profession and following every safety procedure is imperative.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a very deadly virus that can be transferred by blood to blood contact or sharing a syringe with someone infected. Just a poke of an infected syringe can potentially infect someone. HIV is a virus that causes AIDS. Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a disease caused by HIV. AIDS is when the immune system shuts down and becomes vulnerable to other illnesses. AIDS is the sixth leading cause of death among people ages 25 – 44 in the United States, down from number one in 1995 (U.S National Library of medicine, April 30, 2012).
HIV and AIDS can be blood bourn so it is important to follow safety procedures when handling a used syringe. Such things like disposing of the syringe properly or wearing gloves are proper procedures. “CDC estimated that in 1985, approximately 12,500 new Hepatitis B infections occurred in healthcare workers. ” (The Hospitalist, Oct. 2012). Hepatitis B is another virus that a Medical Assistant may come in contact with in this profession. Hepatitis B is initially inflammation and swelling of the liver due to the virus (U.S National Library of Medicine, 2010).
Things such as needle pricks and blood to blood contact can spread this virus. Sharing razors and toothbrushes with someone infected is also another way to get Hepatitis B. There is no sure way to protect from getting these viruses or diseases except for being cautious and following safety procedures. Wearing gloves when administering shots or taking blood is one way to protect from getting infected. In some cases a Medical Assistant should wear safety goggles or surgical masks.
Doing this often means that the Medical Assistant is assisting in surgery and protecting your eyes and mouth is one way to protect from getting infected. Blood borne diseases can get into your mouth or into the retinas of your eyes and the disease can be transferred from one person to the other. Properly disposing of needles is another safety procedure to follow. There are usually properly labeled bins in a medical office for which they can be disposed of. When handling a syringe it is important to be cautious and make sure needle is properly covered and unable to poke anyone until it is needed.
After using a syringe on a patient, always remember to dispose of the syringe in the proper labeled bin. Following strict safety procedures is imperative in the Medical Field. A Medical Assistant should always make sure that precautions and correct procedures are being done. Blood borne viruses and diseases are not something to take likely while working with blood. Diseases such as Hepatitis B and HIV are just two of the many diseases a Medical Assistant should protect them from. They are both potentially deadly and every precaution should be taken in order to avoid the spread from person to person.?
References United States National Library of Medicine, A. D. A. M . Medical Encyclopedia, 2010, http://www. ncbi. nlm. nih. gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001324/ http://www. ncbi. nlm. nih. gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001620/ Bureau of Labor Statistics, U. S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition, Medical Assistants, on the Internet at http://www. bls. gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants. htm The Hospitalist, What Should I do if I get a Needle Stick, October 2010.