Here is a list of lessons found in this course with their description and learner objectives:

Lesson #1: Aspects of Infectious Diseases
This lesson covers all aspects of infectious diseases. An infection can come from touching, eating, drinking, or breathing something that has germs. It can come from an animal or insect bite. It can also be spread by kissing and sexual contact. The four different types of germs include a virus, bacteria, fungus, and a parasite. The body’s first line of defense includes the skin, mucous membranes in the nose, tears, and tiny hairs in the nose. It also includes bleeding, peeing, and sweating. The body’s second line of defense is the immune system. A vaccine can help to prevent some types of infectious diseases.

Objective 1: Identify and describe some of the commonly known communicable or contagious diseases and infections.

Lesson #2: Bloodborne Pathogens
This lesson focuses on bloodborne pathogens. Bloodborne pathogens are viruses, bacteria, or parasites. They are found in blood or body fluids. They can cause disease in humans. The most common examples are HBV, HCV, and HIV. Transmission occurs when a person comes into contact with contaminated blood and body fluids. Direct support professionals are often exposed to these and other potentially infectious materials. Bloodborne pathogen standards require the use of universal precautions in all workplaces. The purpose is to protect workers. As a direct support professional you are responsible for recognizing hazards. It is your role to ensure the safety of those you support.

Objective 1: Define bloodborne pathogens and explain the direct support professional’s role in preventing transmission.

Lesson #3: Understanding the Infectious Disease Cycle
This lesson focuses on the infectious disease cycle. There are four stages to the infections disease cycle. Stage 1: Infectious agents begin their journey with one host often through simple contact. The host can be living or non-living. Stage 2: Once inside a host an infectious agent will multiply and spread. Stage 3: Infectious agents eventually leave the host. A host does not have to display symptoms to pass on a disease. Stage 4: Infectious agents enter or wait for a new host and the cycle begins again.

Objective 1: Accurately explain the four stages of the infectious disease cycle.

Lesson 4: Infection Control and Prevention
This lesson focuses on the use of infection control procedures. Direct support professionals must use infection control procedures. This can prevent infectious agents from spreading. It can help to break the disease cycle. Use general infection control procedures every day. This will reduce the transfer of infectious agents. Use proper protocol when you handle raw food. This will help to prevent contamination and sickness. Personal use items can carry and transfer infectious agents. Follow best practice guidelines when you must handle someone’s personal items. Implement a regular cleaning schedule for common use areas to reduce transfer of infectious agents.

Objective 1: Describe the importance of infection control procedures and demonstrate daily practices for infection control and prevention.

Lesson 5: Universal Precautions
This lesson focuses on universal precaution procedures. General infection control procedures are the ones you use every day. They reduce exposure to common pathogens. Universal precautions should be used when blood or certain body fluids are present. This is an OSHA guideline. This reduces exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Universal precautions include immunizations to protect against contaminated blood or body fluids. They also include an HBV vaccine that is paid for by your employer. Using procedures that will best protect you and the person you support. This includes things like personal protective equipment. It also includes proper hand washing.

Objective 1: Identify universal precautions and when to use them.

Lesson 6: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
This lesson focuses on personal protective equipment (PPE). PPE is an important universal precaution in direct support work. OSHA requires employers to identify and provide PPE that is needed for a specific job. PPE must be used properly by direct support professionals. PPE for direct support professionals includes protective gloves. It includes protective face masks and eyewear. It also includes protective clothing.

Objective 1: Select and use personal protective equipment effectively.

Lesson 7: Hand Washing Procedures
This lesson focuses on the proper way to wash your hands. You should wash your hands before handling clean dishes. Wash your hands after handling raw food or using the toilet. Wash your hands before and after doing any personal care related activities. This includes passing medication. Wash your hands IMMEDIATELY after coming into contact with any body fluid that may contain blood. Use a thorough technique for washing your hands similar to the one outlined in this lesson.

Objective 1: Explain when, why, and how to wash his or her hands effectively in order to prevent the spread of infections and pathogens.

Lesson 8: Cleaning and Disinfecting
This lesson focuses on how to clean and disinfect items and surfaces. You must follow specific steps to clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces. You must follow specific steps to clean and disinfect cooking surfaces and items. You must follow specific steps to contain and clean contaminated laundry.

Objective 1: Demonstrate how to properly clean and disinfect surfaces and household textiles.

Lesson 9: Environmental Controls
This lesson is about the environmental controls that help you reduce and avoid exposures to infectious agents. You will learn how to properly label and store potentially infectious materials. The lesson covers how to handle accidental exposure incidents.

Objective 1: Identify what forms of environmental controls are available to protect him or her as well as those he or she supports and how to put these into place in the support environment.

Lesson 10: Accidental Exposure Procedures
This lesson is about dealing with accidental exposures to bloodborne pathogens. You will learn ways this happens and basic steps you can take if an accidental exposure happens.

Objective 1: Describe accidental exposure to body fluids and blood. He or she will be able to describe how this can happen and the steps to take when accidental exposure takes place.

Lesson 11: Exposure Control Plans
This lesson will help you understand what an exposure control plan is and necessary components that keep the workplace safe. You will learn how important it is to know the plan through training and periodic reviews.

Objective 1: Identify the key aspects of an exposure control plan for infectious diseases and demonstrate how to implement this in a real life support setting.