Standard

revised: 11/25/03

AHS 104 - Introduction to Health Care

Course Description

Introduces a grouping of fundamental principles, practices, and issues common to many specializations in the health care profession. In addition to the essential skills, students explore various delivery systems and related issues. Topics include: basic life support/CPR, basic emergency care/first aid and triage, vital signs, infection control, and blood/air-borne pathogens.

 

Competency Areas

Hours

 

Blood/Air-Borne Pathogens                    

Class

2

Infection Control

 D. Lab

0 

Vital Signs

 P. Lab/O.B.I.

3 

Basic Emergency Care/First Aid and Triage

Credit

3

Basic Life Support/CPR

 

 

 

Prerequisite:

Provisional admission

Corequisite:

 

 

Course Guide

 

Competency

After completing this section, the student will:

Hours

Class

D.Lab

P.Lab/

O.B.I.

Blood/Air-Borne Pathogens

6

0

0

Terminology

Define blood/air-borne pathogens.

 

 

 

Pathogen Transmission

Describe modes of transmission.

 

 

 

Occupational Risk Factors

Identify exposure risks related to health occupations.

 

 

 

Diseases of concern

Describe causative agent, symptoms, occurrence, reservoir, mode of transmission, incubation period, period of communicability, prevention and control measures of the following diseases:

 

 

 

 

    Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

 

 

 

 

    All types of Hepatitis (A,B,C,D,E,G)

 

 

 

 

    Tuberculosis

 

 

 

 

    Meningitis

 

 

 

 

    Mumps

 

 

 

 

    Measles

 

 

 

 

    Chickenpox

 

 

 

 

    Herpes

 

 

 

Infection Control

7

0

12

Federal agencies

Differentiate the roles, standards and guidelines for the following agencies:

 

 

 

 

    Department of Technical and Adult Education (DTAE)

 

 

 

 

    Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

 

 

 

 

    Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA)

 

 

 

 

    Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

 

 

 

 

    Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)

 

 

 

 

    Federal Drug Administration (FDA)

 

 

 

Infectious disease process

Describe the characteristics of each link of the infection chain.

 

 

 

Immunity

Differentiate forms of immunity.

 

 

 

Aseptic practices

Demonstrate pre and post exposure precautions to include handwashing, gloving (sterile/nonsterile, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), sanitizing and disinfecting.

 

 

 

Vital Signs

2

0

6

Vital signs

Demonstrate accuracy in obtaining weight and height and documenting blood pressure, temperature, pulse, respiration, weight and height.

 

 

 

 

Describe factors that affect vital signs including normal and abnormal values.

 

 

 

Basic Emergency Care

A course from an accredited agency (American Safety and Health Institute, American Red Cross) leading to certification in First Aid is acceptable in lieu of the following recommended outline.

2

0

6

Initial assessment

Perform initial assessment.

 

 

 

Bleeding

Demonstrate various techniques for

control of bleeding.

 

 

 

Shock

Describe first aid for various types of

shock

 

 

 

Bandages/splints

Demonstrate application of bandages and splints.

 

 

 

Other conditions

Describe assessment and treatment of burns, poisoning, seizures, insect stings/bites, heat and cold exposure, syncope.

 

 

 

Basic Life Support/CPR

Acquire certification in CPR for Healthcare Providers (including 2 person CPR) by a certified instructor from American Heart Association or  American Red Cross (or) CPR-PRO For the Professional Rescuer from the American Health and Safety Institute

3

0

6

 

Suggested Resources

 

Reference

 

Kathleen Handle (Current Edition). The American Red Cross First Aid and Safety Handbook. Brown, Little and Co.