4.1 Healthcare Infections

Question 1

Give 3 reasons why healthcare infections should be prevented

Answer 1

Delays discharge
Impacts financially
Negative effect on long-term health

Question 2

Name 2 common healthcare-related viruses

Answer 2

Norovirus, HIV, Hep. B, Influenza

Question 3

Name 2 common healthcare-related bacteria

Answer 3

S. aureus, C. diff, E.coli

Question 4

Name 2 common healthcare-related fungi

Answer 4

Candida albicans

Aspergillus species

Question 5

List 5 risk factors of catching a healthcare infection

Answer 5

Extremes of age
Obesity/malnourished
Smoking
Immunosuppression
Diabetes
Cancer
Surgery

Question 6

What are the 4 Ps of infection prevention?

Answer 6

People
Place
Practice
Pathogen

Question 7

How can healthcare infections be prevented with respect to patients?

Answer 7

Reduce patient risk factors, antibiotic prophylaxis, hand hygiene, manage interactions with staff and visitors carefully, isolate infected patients, protect susceptible patients

Question 8

How can healthcare infections be prevented with respect to the pathogen?

Answer 8

Vaccinate staff, hand washing, reduce resistance by reducing antibiotic prescriptions

Question 9

How can healthcare infections be prevented with respect to place?

Answer 9

Regularly clean all fixed features of the ward, wash basins, separate the toilets, single-use equipment

Question 10

How can healthcare infections be prevented with respect to practice?

Answer 10

Educate the staff about infection control
Have a good organisational structure
Implement infection control measures and policies well

Question 11

What is a healthcare infection?

Answer 11

An infection as a consequence of providing healthcare. The infection appears at least 48 hours after admission.