1: Infection prevention and control Flashcards
Describe the impact of Health care-associated infections (HAI)
- most common complication affecting patients in hospitals
- those in healthcare are often more susceptible due to being immune-compromised.
- cost Vic gov +80 million a year
- the longer a patient lives in. a healthcare system, the more procedures they have, the more chance of a HAI
List some effects of HAI
- financial stress on the hospital as they aren’t moving people in and out
- increased risk of adverse outcomes
- patients get sicker and can die
- patient finance
- fewer hospital beds available
- risk of multi-resistance microorganisms
- Hospital resourced drained
delayed movement of patients throughout hospitals
List some vulnerable populations who are susceptible to HAI’s
- Oncology patients- chemo=immunocompromised
- Burns patients- broken skin allowing for pathogen entry
ICU- critically ill with lots of interventions and external objects in their body (urinary catheter, IV) - Children- an immune system not a developed
- Pregnant women- immune system stretched
- Surgical patients- internal environment exposed to the external environment
Define an infection
disease state where the is invasion and multiplication of pathogens in tissue or bodily fluids causing cellular damage
- maybe asymptomatic or symptomatic
Define a pathogen
Disease-causing microorganisms. (e.g. bacteria, virus, fungi, parastie)
Define a Hospital or Nosocomial acquired infection
Infection where signs and symptoms occur at least 2 days after administration
Iatrogenic infections
infections which result from treatment or diagnostic procedure
Define an endogenous HAI
an infection resulting from patient’s own normal body flora multiplies and moves into another body site.
Define Exogenous HAI
an infection from an organism external to the person’s own normal flora.
Define a non hospital health care-acquired infection
infection from other form of health care which presents at the hospital.
e.g. dentist causing mouth infection
up to 50% of all HAI are associated with what 5 patient care practices
1- hand hygiene and standard precautions
2- use and care of indwelling urinary catheters
3- use and care of vascular access devices
4- Therapy and support for pulmonary functions
4- experience with surgical procedures
Does the presence of a microorganism (colonisation) on/in the body mean infection.
No
What must occur for an infectious microorganism to develop
- colonise (grow and multiply)
- move from one source to another
- Overcome a hosts defence system
- Damage cells, tissues and body systems
Describe residential flora
and what is required to clean them from the skin?
microorganisms that are always present on or in the host, usually without altering the health of the host.
friction and antimicrobial wash are necessary to remove them from the skin.
resident= lives there/on the body
Describe transient flora
and what is required to remove them from the skin?
microorganism that are episodic and usually don’t continually live on or in the host
MAIN CAUSE OF HAI
soap and water or alcohol are usually enough to remove them from the skin.
usually acquired from direct contact with microorganisms on environmental surfaces or patients.
Quickly travel from patient- cloths- nurse- wash staff
What are the four stages of infection
1- Incubation
2- Prodromal
3- Illness
4- Convalescence
Name and describe the first stage of infection
1- Incubation
- time between entry of an infectious organism to the host and onset of symptoms
Name and describe the second stage of infection
2- Prodromal
- time between nonspecific symptoms (fever) and specific symptoms manifestation (puss/discharge from a wound)\
Name and describe the third stage of infection
3- Illness
- When a patient begins manifesting specific symptoms of an infection
Name and describe the fourth stage of infection
4- Concalenscence
- time between the disappearance of symptoms until the person returns to their pre-illness state
Define Multi resistance
is antimicrobial resistance shown by a species of microorganism to multiple antimicrobial drugs.
List the components of the chain of infection
- Infectious agent
- Reservoir
- portal of exit
- method of transmission
- portal of entry
- susceptible host
Describe the components of the chain of infection and the method for eradication- Infectious agent
A disease-producing organism
e.g. bacteria, ebola, e.coli
method for eradication - clean environment - disinfectant sterilisation - eradication of environmental factors
Describe the components of the chain of infection and the method for eradication- Reservoir
where growth occurs in an organism
- pH 5-8 ideal for pathogens to thrive
pH changes through parts of the body.
the acidity of a person varies and effects suceotablity to pathogens
e.g. human host- blood, human tissue
method of eradication
- antiviral/bacterial/fungal
Describe the components of the chain of infection and the method for eradication- Portal or exit
escape route and how it enters the world
e.g. urinary gastrointestinal tracts and integumentary system (skin)
method of eradication
- fecal matter, vomit= all of these resivours can be contained also WASH YOUR HANDS AND ENVIRONEMNT
Describe the components of the chain of infection and the method for eradication- method of transmission
How the pathogen gets into the body.
e.g. via blood, feces, urine, spit, semen, vagina secretion, breast milk
method of eradication
- hand washing
- PPE
Describe the components of the chain of infection and the method for eradication- Portal of entry
How the pathogen exits the body.
e.g. via blood, feces, urine, spit, semen, vagina secretion, breast milk
method of eradication
- hand washing
- ensuring cracked skin is covered
- masks
- wounds covered
Describe the components of the chain of infection and the method for eradication- Susceptible host
those who immune systems are less able to cope and fight a pathogen.
e.g. diabetes, emphasema, cancer, peripheral VD, burns, smoking (all immunocompromised)
method of erradication
- education
- promote healthy life style
What is the promaru method of infection transmission in hospitals?
via hands of health care professionals
What is the primary role of nures/midwifes in prevention of HAI’s?
Control infection and break linkages in the chain of infection by implementing methods of erradication via standard and additional precautions
- get immunised, speak up if poor hand hygiene is occurring
- achieved through STANDARD PRECAUTIONS
List some examples of non-pharmacological factors increasing HAI susceptibility
cancer- immunosuppression from chemotherapy
PVD- reduced blood flow to injured tissue and delayed wound healing
Down syndrome- decreased lymphocytes and reduced response to a communication
Smoking- increased risk of respiratory, vaginal, gastric and surgical infections
List some examples of pharmacological factors increasing HAI susceptibility
Radiotherapy- suppresses bone marrow function and damages the first line of defense
Immunosuppressants- reduced lymphocyte responsiveness to foreign matter
cytotoxins- depressed bone marrow, decreased production of white blood cells and lymphocytes
Define a standard precaution
minimum requirements for the basic level of infection control.
- hand hygiene before and after every episode of patient contact (5 moments )
- use of PPE
What are the five moments of hand hygiene
1- before touching a patient
2- before performing a procedure
3- after a procedure/exposure to bodily fluid
4- after touching a client
5- After touching environment of a client
Define and give examples of a standard precaution
= are the minimum requirements for a basic level of infection control
- hand hygiene- before every episode of patient contact
- PPE
- routein environment cleaning
- Safe sharps disposal
- Cough etiquette
- Antiseptic non-touch technique
- waste management
- appropriate handling of linen
- Reprocessing of reusable medical equipment and instruments
Define and give examples of additional precautions
- required when a patient has a highly transmissible infection not contained by standard precautions
can include;
- combination of SP
- appropriate use of PPE
- Patient dedicated equipment - Single rooms/cohorting patients
- appropriate air handling
- enhanced cleaning and disinfection of the patient environment
- restricted transfer of patients within and between facilities
Are nurses and midwives at risk of acquiring HAI’s also?
Yes
