Chapter 29: Infection Prevention And Control Flashcards
Patients are at risk for acquiring infections due to:
- Lower resistance to pathogens
- Increased exposure to pathogens-some of which are resistant to most antibiotics
- Invasive procedures
Health care workings are at risk for acquiring infections due to:
Contact with patient blood, body fluids and contaminated equipment and surfaces.
Infection
Invasion of a susceptible host by pathogens or microorganism resulting in disease.
Colonization
The presence and growth of microorganisms with a host but without tissue invasion or damage.
Non-communicable disease
Illness that is serious for patient but have a low/no risk for transmission (pneumonia, viral meningitis)
Communicable disease
Can be transmitted from one person to another
Chain of infection
- Infectious agent
- Reservoir
- Portal of Exit
- Mode of Transmission
- Portal of Entry
- Susceptible Host
Infectious Agent
- bacteria, viruses, fungi, Protozoa
- resident or transient flora
- virulence-ability to produce disease
- their ability to enter and survive in the host
Reservoir
-place where microorganisms survive, multiply and await transfer to susceptible host.
Host’s include
Insects, food, water, organic matter or inanimate surfaces
Common reservoirs for health care-associated infections (HAI’s) include:
Health care workers hands, patients, equipment and the environment.
Optimal Conditions of the Reservoir: Food
Nourishment in the form of organic or inorganic matter
Optimal Conditions of the Reservoir: Oxygen
Aerobic-requires O2 (s. Aureus), Anaerobic-requires little or no O2
Optimal Conditions of the Reservoir: Water
Moist environment. May form a “spore” which is resistant to drying (C-diff)
Optimal Conditions of the Reservoir: Temperature
Cold tends to prevent growth
Optimal Conditions of the Reservoir: pH
The acidity of the environment
Optimal Conditions of the Reservoir: Light
Thrive in dark environments
Portal of Exit includes sites such as
- Blood: normally sterile. With Hep B, C r HIV becomes a reservoir/portal
- Skin and mucous membranes: any break in the skin or mucous membranes allows pathogens to exit the body
- Respiratory Tract: cough and sneeze
- GI/GU tract: mouth, stool, urine, saliva, sputum, wound drainage.
- Reproductive tract: mother to fetus, sexual contact
Mouth is the most
Bacterial lay contaminated parts of the body
Modes of Transmission
- Direct
- Indirect
- Droplet
- Airborne
- Vehicles
- Vector
Direct Transmission
Person to person
Indirect Transmission
Person touching contaminated inanimate object
Droplet Transmission
Large particles that travel up to 3 feet during coughing, sneezing or talking
Airborne
Smaller droplets suspended in air for longer periods of time