chapter 17 Flashcards
natural defenses
Skin ~ clean & intact or unbroken
Eyes~ eyelashes = barrier Tears= enzymes destroys pathogens
Mouth ~ Saliva = slightly bacterial destroys enzymes
Gastrointestinal tract ~Hydrochloric acid destroys
Respiratory tract ~ nasal cilia traps pathogens & Mucus traps pathogens
Genitourinary tract ~ slightly acidic enviroment
pathogens
bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa
conditions that favors growth of pathogens
moisturer ~ can survive with little or no moisture
nutrients ~ depend on their enviroment
Temperature ~ even in freezing or boiling temps they can survive they thrive at normal body temp 98.6
Darkness ~ many can be destroyed w/ bright light
Neutral PH ~ measurement of acid base balance scale of 1 - 14 neutral is 7 (7.35 -7.45 is preferred to microorganisms to thrive
Oxygen ~ some require oxygen some do not
acrobes
microorganisms that require oxygen to survive
most pathogens are aerobic
anacrobes
microorganisms that do not require oxygen to survive
tetanus and botulism
infection cycle
reservoir host~ place on or in which the organism grows or reproduces
exit from RH~ escape route IE: nose, mouth, ear, urinary tract, wounds
vehicle for transmission~ means by which organisms are carried about IE: hands, equipment, instruments, china, silverware, droplets
Portal of Entry~ part of body where organism enter IE: skin, mouth
Susceptible host~ person whose body can not fight off organism
Direct Transmission
direct contact between reservoir host and susceptible host produces direct transmission
indirect transmission
may occur through contact with a vehicle known as a vector.
vectors include contaminated food and water, disease carrying insects, inanimate objects such as soil, drinking glasses, wound drainage and infected or improperly disinfected medical instruments.
human hosts
include people who are ill with an infectious disease, people who are carriers of infectious disease, and people who arer incubating an infectious disease but are not showing symptoms
reservoir host
human, animals or insects
asymtomatic
have no symptoms
animals hosts
less common
disease that may be transmitted to humans from animals include anthrax and rabies
insect hosts
insects that feed on blood of infected reservoir host and then pass the disease to another victim or susceptible host
ticks and mosquitoes transmit disease (ticks) Lyme disease (mosquitoes) malaria, west nile disease
OSHA
occupational safety and health administration helps the employees
CDC
center of disease control helps the public
Medical asepsis
Does not mean the object or area is free from all microorganisms… It refers to an area or object that is free from pathogenic microorganisms
Commonly known as the clean technique
Hand washing
The most important medical asepsis technique to prevent transmission of pathogens
When should you wash your hands
Before and after every patient
After coming in contact with blood or body fluids
After coming in contact with contaminated materials
After handling specimens
After coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose
After using restroom
Before and after going to lunch, taking breaks, and leaving for the day
Gloves
Because you should always assume that blood and body fluids are contaminated with pathogens wear gloves when ever handling or anticipate handling fluids
Aids
Contact to contaminated mucus or contaminated blood or contact with contaminated sharps
Chicken pox
Direct contact or droplets
Cholera
Ingestion of contaminated water and food
Diphtheria
Airborne droplets and infected carriers
HBV (hepatitis b virus)
Direct contact with infectious body fluid
Influenza
Airborne droplets, infected carriers, or direct contact with contaminated articles such as used tissues
Measles (rubeola)
Airborne droplets, infected carriers
Meningitis
Airborne droplets
Mononucleosis
Airborne droplets, contact with infected saliva
Mumps
Airborne droplets, infected carriers, or direct contact with materials contaminated with infected saliva
Pneumonia
Airborne droplets, or direct contact with infected mucus
Rabies
Direct contact with saliva of infected animal such as an animal bite
Rubella (German measles)
Airborne droplets, infected carriers
Tetanus
Direct contact with spores or contaminated animal feces
Affects nervous system
Tuberculosis
Airborne droplets, infected carriers
Sterilization
The highest level of infection control, destroys all forms of microorganisms, including spores, on inanimate objects
Sanitisation
Lowest level of infection control, which is cleaning any visible contaminates from the item using soap or detergent, water and manual friction
Disinfectants or germicides
Inactivate virtually all recognized pathogenic microorganisms but not all microbial forms including spores on inanimate objects
Disinfection high level
Destroys most forms of microbial life except certain bacterial spores
Disinfection intermediate level
Destroys many viruses, fungi, and some bacteria, including mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium that causes tuberculosis
Chemical Germicide that kills M tuberculosis is a 1:10 dilution of household bleach
Disinfection low level
Destroys many bacteria and some viruses but not M. Tuberculosis or bacterial spores
Infection control for the medical office
Practices of individual offices regarding employees health and safety must be either put into policy and procedure manual or complied separately as an infection control manual
Exposure risk factors
Medical offices must provide clear instructions in the policy or infection control manual for preventing employee exposure and reducing the danger of exposure to bio hazardous material
Exposure control plan
The exposure risk factor for each worker by job description must be included in the written policy
Exposure to biohazard waste
Wash hands Apply principals of first aid Notify supervisor, office manager, office physician Accident report Exposure testing if needed
PPE
Personal protective equipment
Gloves, goggles and/or face shield, gown, booties
Alcohol (70% isopropyl)
Used for no critical items (countertops, glass thermometers, stethoscopes)
Flammable; damages some rubber, plastic, and lenses
Chlorine (sodium hypochlorite or bleach)
Dilute 1:10 (1 part bleach to 10 parts water )
Use for broad spectrum microbes
Inexpensive and fast acting
Corrosive, inactivated by organic matter, relatively unstable
Formaldehyde
Disinfectant and sterilant
Regulated by OSHA
Warnings must be marked on all containers and storage areas
Glutaraldehyde
Alkaline or acid. Effective against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and some spores
OSHA regulated; requires adequate ventilation, covered pans, gloves, masks; must display biohazard or chemical label
Hydrogen peroxide
Stable and effective when used on inanimate objects
Attacks membrane lipids, DNA and other essential cell components
Can damage plastic, rubber, and some metals
Iodine or Idophors
Bacteriostatic agent
Not to be used on instruments
May cause staining
Phenols (tuberculocidal)
Used for environmental items or equipment
Requires gloves and eye protection
Can cause skin irritation and burns
Standard precautions
Set of procedures recognized by the CDC to help reduce chance of transmitting infectious microorganisms in any health care setting, including medical offices
Spill kits
Used to clean spills of bio hazardous waste
Eye protection- such as goggles Clean examination gloves Absorbent powder, crystals or gel Paper towels Disposable scoop At least one biohazard waste bag A chemical disinfectant
