CH. 24 Infection Control Flashcards
aerobic
requiring oxygen to live and grow
airborne transmission
spreading of microorganisms that are less than 5 mcm when an infected host coughs, sneezes, or talks, or when the organism becomes attached to dust particles
anaerobic
capable of living without oxygen
antibody
immunoglobin produced by the body in a response to a specific antigen
antigen
foreign material capable or inducing a specific immune response
antimicrobial
antibacterial agent that kills bacteria or suppresses their growth
asepsis
absence of disease producing microorganisms, using methods to prevent infection
bacteria
the most significant and most commonly observed infection causing agents
bundles
evidence based best practices that have proven positive outcomes when implemented together to prevent infection
colonization
presence of an organism residing in an individuals body with no clinical signs of infection
direct contact
way for organisms to enter the body that involves proximity between the susceptible host and an infected person or a carrier, such as though touching, kissing, or sexual intercourse
disinfection
process used to destroy microorganisms; destroys all pathogenic organisms except spores
endemic
something that occurs with predictability in one specific region or population and can appear in a different geographical location
endogenous
infection in which the causative organism comes from microbial life harbored witihin the person
exogenous
infection in which the causative organism is acquired from outside the host
fomite
objects or material which are likely to carry infection, such as clothes, utensils and furniture
fungi
plant like organisms (molds and yeasts) that can cause infection
health care-associated infection (HAI)
an infection that was not present on admission to a health care institution and develops during the course of treatment for other conditions (nosocomial)
host
animal or person on or within which microorganisms live
iatrogenic
infection that occurs as a result of a treatment or diagnostic procedure
indirect contact
personal contact with either a vector, a living creature that transmits an infection agent to a human, usually an insect, or an inanimate object, called a fomite, such as equipment or countertops
infection
disease state resulting from pathogens in or on the body
isolation
protective procedure designed to prevent the transmission of specific microorganism, also called protective aseptic techniques and barrier techniues
medical asepsis
practices designed to reduce the number and transfer of pathogens, synonym for clean technique
nosocomial
something originating or taking place in the hospital. (ie infection)
parasites
organisms that lives on or in a host and relies on it for nourishment
pathogens
disease-producing microorganism
PPE
gloves, gowns, masks, and protective eye gear designed to minimize or preven t the healthcare workers exposure to infectious material
reservoir
natural habitat for the growth and multiplication of microorganisms
standard precautions
CDC precautions used in the care of all patients regardless of their diagnosis or possible infection status, this category combines universal and body substance precautions
sterilization
1) the process by which all microorganisms, including spores, are destroyed 2) surgical procedure performed to render a person infertile
surgical asepsis
practices that render and keep objects and areas free from microorganisms; syn for sterile technique
transmission-based precautions
CDC precautions used in patients known or suspected to be infected with pathogens that can be transmitted by airborne, droplet, or contact routes; used in addition to standard precautions
vector
nonhuman carriers - such as mosquitoes, ticks, and lice - that transmit organisms from one host to another
virulence
ability to produce disease
virus
smallest of all microorganisms, can be seen using an electron microscope
Common Points of Entry/ Common Points of Exit
the skin and respiratory, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary tracts are common portals for entry and exit.
Four categories responsible for a majority of HAIs
Catheter associated UTIs (CAUTI)
Surgical site infection (SSI)
Central line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI)
Ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP)
Cause of Most HAIs
C. Diff, S. aureus, Streptoccocus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella species
Prevention of CAUTIs
- prevention of inappropriate short term urinary catheter use
- timely removal of catheters that is nurse driven
- catheter care during placement
Multidrug resistant organisms
methicillin- resistant Staph. aureus (MRSA)
vancomycin-resistant Staph. aureus (VRSA)
carbapenem- resistant Enterbacteriaceae (CRE)
CDC four core action to fight resistant strains
Prevention, tracking, improving antibiotic prescribing/stewardship, developing new drugs and diagnostic tests
VRSA, VISA, VRE
Pts at risk: kidney disease or diabetes, previous MRSA infection, presence of invasive catheter, or recent exposure to vancomycin
Acinetobacter baumannii
gram -
found typically in war wounds
antibiotic resistant
Risk: length of hospital stay, resp infection and longterm antibiotic use
Clostridium difficile
mostly seen in older adults
typically found in normal gi tract
when longterm antibiotics are taken, helpful bacteria is destroyed and c. diff becomes out of control
S&S: watery diarrhea, fever and mild abdominal cramping
Reduce transmission of C. diff
- avoid using electronic equipment that is difficult to clean
- disinfecting dedicated pt care items and equpment between pts
- using full barrier contact precautions
- placing pts in private rooms, cohort pts with the same strain of CDI
- performing meticulous hand hygiene
- performing environmental contamination of rooms
- education health providers on clinical presentation, transmission, and epidemiology
Methods of Sterilization and Disinfection
Steam (high temps caused by higher pressure destroys organisms)
Boiling water (in home, simple and inexpensive)
Dry heat (used for metal items. 350 for 2 or more hours)
Radiation (pharmaceuticals, foods, plastics, and other heat sensitive items)
Ethylene oxide gas (destroys microorganisms and spores)
Chemical solutions (used for instrument and equipment disinfection and for housekeeping disinfection)
Products that contain Latex
gloves, bp cuffs, electrode pads, stethoscopes, IV tubing, Urinary catheters, Tqs, syringes, surgical masks, and baby bottle nipples and pacifiers
Products that contain Latex
gloves, bp cuffs, electrode pads, stethoscopes, IV tubing, Urinary catheters, Tqs, syringes, surgical masks, and baby bottle nipples and pacifiers
Airborne Precautions
Offenders: tb, varicella, rubeola, and possibly SARS. -place pt in a private room that has monitored negative air pressure in relation to surrounding areas, 6-12 air changes per hour, and appropriate discharge or air outside, or monitored filtration if air is recirculated..
Wear respirator when entering room.
Droplet Precautions
Offender: rubella, mumps, diptheria, and adenovirus.
Precautions: use private room, PPE, keep visitors 3 ft away
Contact precautions
for multidrug resistant microorganism
- private room if available
- PPE, remove before leaving room
- limit movement of pt out of the room
- observe contact precautions in the presence of excessive wound drainage, fecal incontinence, or other discharges from the body
Contact precautions
for multidrug resistant microorganism
- private room if available
- PPE, remove before leaving room
- limit movement of pt out of the room
Five Moments for Hand Hygiene
- Before touching a pt
- before a clean or aseptic procedure
- after body fluid exposure risk
- after touching a pt
- after touching a patients surroundings
Five Moments for Hand Hygiene
- Before touching a pt
- before a clean or aseptic procedure
- after body fluid exposure risk
- after touching a pt
- after touching a patients surroundings
Hand Hygiene. When?
- before and after contact with each patient
- before putting on gloves
- before performing any invasive procedures
- after accidental contact with body fluids or excretions, mucous membranes, nonintact skin, and wound dressings
- when moving from a contaminated body site to a clean body site during patient care
- after contact with inanimate objects near the patient
- after removal of gloves
Alcohol based handrubs
contains 60-90% alcohol concentration
- used if not visibly soiled
- no contact with blood or body fluids
- may be used before inserting catheters, perpheral vascular catheters, or invasive devices that do not require surgical placement,. before donning sterile gloves, and if moving from a contaminated body site to a clean site during pt care
- handwashing required if in contact with, anthrax, norovirus, or C. diff
