Asepsis and Infection Control Flashcards
antiseptic
a substance that tends to inhibit the growth and reproduction of microorganisms and may be used on humans
infection prevention and control
implementation of policies and procedures in hospitals and other health care facilities to minimize the spread of health care-associated or community-acquired infections to patients and other staff members
the nurse is the chief player in the prevention of the spread of infection, accomplished through learning and observing routine and specialized practices of cleanliness and disinfection
carrier
(aka vector) a person or animal that does not become ill but harbors and spreads an organism, causing disease in others
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) part of the US Department of Health and Human Services, provides facilities and services for investigation, prevention, and control of disease
contamination
a condition of being soiled, stained, touched by, or otherwise exposed to harmful agents (i.e. the entry of infectious materials into a previously clean and sterile environment)
medical asepsis
techniques that inhibit the growth and transmission of pathogenic microorganisms
Known as the “clean technique” – (i.e. hand hygiene, changing bed linens)
endogenous
(growing inside the body) infection caused by the patients own normal microorganisms, which become altered or overgrow, or transfer from one body site to another; i.e. microorganisms in fecal material are transferred to the skin by the hands and infect a wound
exogenous
(growing outside the body) infection is caused by a microorganism from another person; i.e. an infection transmitted to the patient via a health care worker
fomite
if the vehicle is inanimate or nonliving object
health care-associated infection
(HAI) previously referred to as nosocomial, meaning infections patients get when undergoing medical treatment at a health care facility
reservoir
any natural habitat that promotes growth and reproduction of a microorganism
where a pathogen (infectious agent) can grow (i.e. infected individual or animal)
vector
(aka carrier) a person or animal that does not become ill but harbors and spreads an organism, causing disease in others
vehicle
by which microorganisms are carried and transported to the next host
Aerobic vs Anaerobic
bacteria only grow in the presence of oxygen vs bacteria only grow in the absence of oxygen
hand hygiene
the single most important and basic preventative technique that health care workers can use to interrupt the infection process
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) hospital accrediting agencies and hospital admin place strong emphasis on infection prevention and control; infection control nurses and other members of the infection and control team function within the hospital via their committee
standard precautions
these promote hand hygiene and use of gloves, masks, eye protection and gowns when appropriate for patient contact; previously referred to by the CDC as “universal blood and body fluid precautions” and body substance isolation when caring for all patients
hand hygiene {essential when…}
hands visibly dirty // after contact w/ organic material (feces, wound drainage, mucus) // after removing disposable gloves // after handling contaminated equipment // at the beginning and end of a shift // before and after caring for a patient // before and after eating // before and after using the toilet // before changing a dressing // before contact with open wounds // before prepping and administering medications // in prep for an invasive procedure, i.e. suctioning, catheterization, or injections
gown {essential when…}
patient activities are likely to generate splashes or sprays i.e. blood, bodily fluids, feces, secretions, or excretions
PPE
Personal Protective Equipment
Airborne precaution (PPE)
wear a fit-tested NIOSH-approved N-95 or higher level respirator or PAPR
Ex. Measles, Varicella, TB
Droplet precaution (PPE)
don a mask
Ex. meningitis, pneumonia, sepsis, Mycoplasma pneumonia, Streptococcal pharyngitis
Contact precaution (PPE)
wear gloves and gown … when appropriate?
Ex. Herpes Simplex, Clostridium difficile, Hepatitis A, Staphylococcal furunculosis
Sterile field
1 in. margin/border
Use of hand sanitizer
to routinely decontaminate hands
evidence suggests that the cleansing of hands with hand sanitizer is more effective in reducing HAI’s than regular hand washing
Chain of infection
[1] infectious agent > [2] reservoir > [3] exit route > [4] mode of transmission > [5] entrance > [6] host > [1]
{1} pathogenic microorganism
{2} infected person or animal
{3} secretions, feces, blood, urine
{4} hands, contaminated food, air droplets, contaminated needle
{5} mouth, break in skin, mucous membrane
{6} another person
Infection Control Nurse
specially trained in infection prevention and control; responsible for advising hospital personnel on development and implementation of safe patient care practices and the control of HAI’s
surgical asepsis
technique designed to destroy all microorganisms and their spores
known as the “sterile” technique
asepsis
the absence of pathogenic microorganisms
disinfection
the use of chemicals to destroy microorganisms
common pathogens
bacteria, virus, fungi, protozoa
Virus
smallest known agents to cause disease
Bacteria
many different characteristics; three main shapes (round, oblong, spiral)
Fungi
(mycotic) among the most common diseases found in humans
Protozoa
single-celled animals that exist everywhere in nature; some of the parasitic forms exist in the intestinal tract, genitourinary tract, respiratory tract, and circulatory
rubor
redness
edema
swelling
signs of inflammation
edema, rubor, heat, pain, tenderness, loss of function
malaise
generalized discomfort
stages of infectious process
Incubation period > Prodromal stage > Acute stage > Convalescence
Incubation period
interval between pathogens entrance into the body and first sign of symptoms
the host may be infectious during this period
Prodromal stage
interval from onset of nonspecific signs (malaise, fatigue) to more specific signs
microorganisms grow and multiply and patient is more capable of spreading disease at this time
Acute stage
interval when patient manifests symptoms specific to type of infection (i.e. common cold manifested by sore throat, congestion, rhinitis)
often the period where individual is most contagious
Convalescence
interval when acute symptoms disappear; length of recovery depends on severity of infection. Patient recovery period could last days to months
