WorldWide Drilling Resource

WorldWide Drilling Resource ® is a proud member of this association. National Drilling Association Tel: 877-632-4748 Fax: 216-803-9900 www.nda4u.com 11 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® DECEMBER 2014 Safety Spotlight: Wound Infection by Scott Cosby With all the talk on the news about viruses in the U.S. and elsewhere, the topic this month will focus on wound infection. During my time on a drill crew, I cannot count the number of cuts and lacerations I sustained. One or two be- came mildly infected, which required a doctor visit. In this article, we’ll examine a basic definition of infection, and the signs, symptoms, and treatments of wound infection. This article is a great companion to my WWDR September 2014 article on cut treatment. Infection is the invasion and multi- plication of bacteria and viruses which are not normally present within the body. It may remain localized, or may spread throughout the body. If the latter occurs, a doctor or hospital visit is the only option. Here are the signs and symptoms of wound infection to keep a lookout for: e Fever e Warm, red, painful, swollen wound e Strange odor coming from the wound e Dizziness or a fast heartbeat Treatment will depend on the sever- ity of the wound, its location, and whether other areas are affected. It may also depend on one’s health and the length of time having the wound. Always before treatment, wash your hands with anti- bacterial soap. If another person is pro- viding treatment, make sure they do as well, and use gloves during wound treat- ments. Treatments a doctor may recom- mend will include: e Wound cleaning, which may be done with soap and water to wash away germs and decrease the risk for infection. e Antibiotics, to help fight or pre- vent an infection caused by bacteria. e NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Ant i - Inflammatory Drugs), which will help decrease swelling, pain, or fever. These include aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen, which are all avail- able over the counter. If the wound changes, continues bleeding, or doesn’t seem to be getting better, seek immediate medical attention. Consult your local health professional for more information. Provide in-house sessions for drill operators and crew members on this topic year-round. There are online sources concerning this topic, as well. Scott Scott Cosby may be contacted via e-mail at michele@ worldwidedrillingresource.com Foco de Atención en Seguridad: Infección de herida por Scott Cosby Con todas las noti- cias acerca de virus en los EE.UU. y en otros lugares, el tema de este mes será enfo- cado en infección de heridas. Como miembro de equipo de perforación, no puedo contar el número de cortadas que he aguantado. Una o dos se infectaron levemente lo que requirió visitar al médi- co. En este artículo, veremos la defini- ción básica de una infección, signos, síntomas y tratamientos de infección de heridas. Este artículo complementa mi artículo sobre el tratamiento de heri- das en WWDR 09 2014. Infección es la invasión y multipli- cación de bacterias y virus que normal- mente no están presentes en el cuerpo. Puede permanecer estacionados, o ex- tenderse por todo el cuerpo. Si esto último sucede, una visita al médico o al hospital es la única opción. Estos son algunos signos y sínto- mas de infección de heridas a los que es necesario ponerle atención: e Fiebre e Herida caliente, roja, dolorosa, o hinchada e Olor extraño proveniente de la herida e Mareos o latidos de corazón ace- lerados El tratamiento depende de la gra- vedad de la herida, su ubicación y si Clean that wound! Hector Leos Translator Cosby trans. cont’d on page 16.