Chain of Infection

Question 1

What are the 6 links in the chain of infection?

Answer 1

1. infectious agent
2. reservoir host
3. portal of exit
4. route of transmission
5. portal of entry
6. susceptible host

Question 2

ways to break infectious agent chain

Answer 2

1. early recognition of sign of infection
2. rapid & accurate identification of organisms

Question 3

ways to break reservoir host chain

Answer 3

1. Medical Asepsis
2. Standard Precautions
3. Disinfection/Sterilization
4. Environmental Sterilization
5. Employee Health

Question 4

ways to break portal of exit chain

Answer 4

1. medical asepsis
2. standard precautions
3. Hand washing
4. PPE
5. control of excretions/secretions
6. trash and waste disposal

Question 5

ways to break route of transmission chain

Answer 5

1. medical asepsis
2. standard precautions
3. hand washing
4. sterilization
5. transmission based precautions
6. food handling
7. air flow control

Question 6

ways to break portal of entry chain

Answer 6

1. medical asepsis
2. standard precautions
3. catheter care
4. wound care