Biosecurity Flashcards
define biosecurity and infection control
all efforts designed to reduce the risk of introduction and dissemination of infectious agents in a population or facility
define healthcare associated infections (HAIs)
infections that occur while receiving healthcare for another condition
what is the preventable fraction?
the fraction by which disease occurrence would be reduced under an alternative exposure distribution during a given period in a given population
-take all reasonable precautions to mitigate forseeable risks
describe the hierarchy of prevention strategies
lowest to highest
- PPE
- administrative controls: change the way people work (policies and protocols)
- engineering controls: isolate people from the hazard (facility design, iso unit)
- substitution: replace the hazard (safer alternative, sharps bucket)
- elimination: physically remove the hazard (removing risk)
describe surveillance
data collection + plan of action
-infection control programs (ICPs) are dynamic and should rely upon organized surveillance efforts
-general considerations:
–rigor: minimal vs comprehensive
–type: active vs passive, all patients vs targeted, lab based vs syndromic
-program efficiency cannot be assessed without monitoring, summarizing findings, and reporting to stakeholders
describe managing patient contact
- should be included in every infection control program!
-control direct and indirect contact - general methods:
-segregation: isolation
-barrier nursing
-remote monitoring
describe use of barrier nursing precautions
standard precautions:
1. hand washing after touching potentially contaminated materials
2. wearing gloves
3. wearing mask and eye protection/face shield to protect MM from splashes/sprays
4. wearing protective outerwear
5. routinely clean and disinfect surfaces
6. care when handling potentially contaminated equipment
transmission-based precautions:
1. airborne precautions: respiratory protection
- droplet precautions: wear mask and eye protection or face shield within 3 feet
- contact/barrier precautions:
-hand hygiene and gloves
-gown
-dedicated equipment if possible
describe hand hygiene
when:
- ANYTIME hands are visibly dirty
- before and after patient contact
- before any hand to mouth contact
-donning PPE
-inserting catheters or other devices - after contact with body fluids/wound dressings
-contact with objects near patients
-removing gloves or PPE
gloves are NOT a substitute for proper hand hygiene
describe environmental and personal hygiene
- environment:
-proper facility design and protocols - equipment:
-segregation
-use and cleaning SOPs - personnel:
-hand hygiene
-footwear
-clothing - patients
cleaning is a multi-step process!
1. removal of visible debris
2. scrub with detergent
3. rinse (let dry)
4. disinfectant application (a chemical reaction)
define sterilant, disinfectant, antiseptic, and sanitizer
- sterilant:
-physical or chemical process
-eliminates all forms of life - disinfectant:
-for inanimate objects/surfaces (destroys/inactivates)
-not effective for spores or prions
-regulated by EPA
-not all are created equally
-generally don’t work on surfaces with dirt or organic debris (especially true for bleach and quarternary ammonium compounds)
-accelerated hydrogen peroxide products and phenolic can be effective in the presence of minimal organic debris
-use correct concentration and contact time (15-30 min = good rule of thumb) - antiseptic:
-for living organisms or tissues
-prevents/stops growth
-regulated by FDA - sanitizer:
-decreases microbial contamination (does NOT destroy or eliminate!)
-for inanimate surfaces
-used in food processing
describe education and awareness
- education tools
- appropriate signage
- training/re-training
- regular review of protocols
describe safety culture?
- attitudes, beliefs, perceptions, and values that employees share in relation to safety
- components:
-acknowledge high risk/error prone nature of activities
-blame-free environment
-expectation of collaboration/inclusion across ranks
-willingness to direct resources to address concerns - a social phenomenon: everyone has a role in placing a priority on safety
what are the key field-based components of an infection control program
- access: establish rules and guidelines for all visitors; anything animals mutually share or contact can transmit disease
- people: hand hygiene, dedicate attire, footwear hygiene, work with low risk before high risk animals
- animals: encourage keeping of health records
- environment: microbes can remain on surfaces and equipment and in soil, manure, wood, and water for long periods of time
- movement
-diagram property
-high risk movement: comingling (hospital or events), shared trailers, new arrivals, cross-travel on-farm
-want general population considered to be healthy, prevent introduction and on-farm transmission
describe high risk versus low risk animals
high risk:
1. travel to events (esp if in borrowed trailer)
2. frequent contact with caregivers
3. contact with unfamiliar animals/people
4. recent visit to vet clinic
low risk:
1. stay home
2. limited contact with caregivers
3. limited contact with unfamiliar animals
4. apparently healthy
describe isolating on-farm protocols
- use cleanable, non-porous surfaces
- prevent animal contact with others
- separate water, tools, tack
- care for them last (high risk animals)
- manage manure and bedding
- dedicated clothing and footwear hygiene
- wash hands or use hand sanitizer before and after contact with an animal or its environment
