Electric Shock

This presentation on electric shock gives a detailed information on electric shock, types, how to handle electrotherapy equipment's, care or precautions taken while operating any electrical modalities and preventive measures of shock for all physiotherapy students, professionals and other students who use electrical equipment's in their daily routine.

1. SHOCK Dr. PETETI SAIRAM MPT(NEURO)

2. CONTENTS S ho c k -Definition Causes Types - M i c ro / M a c r o s ho c k s S a f e t y pr e c a u t i o n Ma n a g e m e n t Prevention of electrical Hazards . [email protected] 2

3. DEFINITION SHOCK is a painful stimulation of sensory nerves caused by a sudden flow, cessation of variation in the current passing through the body. If mishandled leads to Electrotherapy equipment's [email protected] 3

4. CAUSES Poorly designed or poorly serviced Electrotherapeutic modality Mishandling of equipment's Poor insulation of equipment's Poor communication between therapist and patient. Poor safety measures related to equipment selection, inspection and maintenance, clinical use of modality, environmental safety or electrotherapy department. [email protected] 4

5. Questions bothering in the statements? What is insulation? How come poor communication between a patient and a therapist cause a shock? ANSWER An  insulator  is any material that prevents the passage of electricity INSULATION = PROTECTION No prior instructions to the patient regarding to the treatment will make the patient anxious towards the treatment [email protected] 5

6. Do not use equipment's with damaged insulation Power cords are doubly insulated always and should be replaced if the outer layer is damages Extension cords in an electrotherapeutic set up is only for a temporary use. For an extended use a new outlet should be installed. As, the cords are easily frayed, If not properly placed can cause trip hazard. [email protected] 6

7. Overloaded circuit Power cords overloaded in a power strip. All of current drawn should flow through a single cord Water and Electricity Wash basins should be located away from the electrical devices Outlets with in six feet of the sink or other source of plumbing must be GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) protected to minimize shock hazards [email protected] 7

8. TYPES [email protected] 8

9. TYPES MACRO SHOCK: In which current passes through the skin. E.g. Mains Current (AC) MICRO SHOCK: In this very small currents are applied directly. E.g. A pacemaker to the heart [email protected] 9

10. Severity of Shock The greater the current passes through the body the more severe is the shock. Shocks are more severe with alternating currents Why?? Because, the intensity of alternating current is continuously changing and it provides stronger sensory stimulation It also produces strong tetanic muscular contraction which makes it impossible for the victim to go off the conductor In most Physiotherapy departments – The main supply of 240 volts and frequency 50 Hz therefore represent hazard of electric shock A high resistance reduces the intensity of current, So if exposed parts of the circuit are touched with damp hands the shock is more likely to be severe than if the hands are dry. Lower the resistance of the skin, the greater the current which passes through the body. [email protected] 10

11. Factors determining the severity of electrical shock The type of current AC DC The amount of current Voltage Ampere Low frequency High frequency Duration of contact Surface area of contact Electrical field strength The pathway of electricity through the body Overall health of person [email protected] 11

12. EFFECTS OF SHOCK Following a Minor shock: Frightened Distressed No loss of consciousness Following a Severe shock: Fall in blood pressure Loss of consciousness Extreme cases: Cessation of Respiration Cardiac arrest Absence or carotid pulse Fully dilated pupils [email protected] 12

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14. Electricity and its impact on people [email protected] 14

15. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS Not to harm any patient a central motto of every treatment Direct or uni-phasic currents can cause electrochemical damage = chemical burns Current at varying frequencies that stimulate a nerve or muscle can cause damage by provoking prolong muscle contractions. Large currents passed through skin leads to shock in turn burns. Currents of sufficient amplitude cause heating of tissues and errhytmia. Damage due to therapeutic usage of electricity is infact rare, the damage is due to the main current supply. Fire Extinguisher A must need for an electrotherapy department set up [email protected] 15

16. Basic protocol to follow [email protected] 16

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18. Do’s Don'ts [email protected] 18

19. Prevention of Electrical Hazards [email protected] 19

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