Case 3 Flashcards
What are the types of HAIs?
- Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI)
- Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
- Catheter-associated UTIs
- Ventilator-associated events
- Surgical site infections
- Bloodstream infections
- Clostridium Difficile infection
- Pneumonia
What are risk factors for HAIs?
- Type of medical procedure
- Antibiotic use
- Length of stay at hospital
- Behaviour of healthcare providers
- Organizational factors
- Patient characteristics
What is the chain of infection?
Infectious agent
Reservoir
Portal of exit
Mode of transmission
Portal of entry
Susceptible host
What is direct contact?
Skin-skin contact, kissing, sexual intercourse
Contact with contaminated soil or vegetation
What is droplet spread + examples?
Aerosols from coughing, sneezing
Direct spray over several feet
E.g. pertussis, meningococcal infection
What is airborne transmission + examples?
Infectious agents carried by dust/droplet nuclei in air
Droplet nuclei <5 microns
E.g. measles virus remained suspended in air
What are vehicles?
Food, water, biological products, fomites
Can passively carry pathogen or provide environment for growth
What are vectors (mechanical + biologic)?
Mosquitoes, fleas, ticks carry agent mechanically or support growth
E.g. flies carry Shigella on appendages (mechanic)
E.g. malaria parasite matures in host before transmission (biologic)
What are the reference ranges?
CRP: 0 - 10 mg/L. High indicates infection.
WCC: 4.5 - 11.0 x 10^9 / L. High indicates infection.
Sats: 95-100%. Low indicates infection.
RR: 12-20 breaths per minute. High indicates infection.
BP: 90/60 - 120/ 80 mmHg. Above 140/90 is high blood pressure
HR: 60-100 beats per minute
Temp: 36.1 - 37.2 C. High indicates infection
What is the antibiotic sensitivity test?
Sensitive → zone of inhibition
Resistant → no zone
What is infection indicated by?
High WBC count
Positive for endothelial cells
High organism count
