Chapter 5 Flashcards
Infection Prevention
Surgical Site Infection (SSI)
An infection that occurs after surgery in the part of the body where the surgery site took place.
Bioscidal
Process or ability to kill or control the growth of living organisms.
Chain of Infection
The six-step process of an infection spreading from one host to the next.
Asepsis
The absence of microorganisms that cause disease.
Aseptic Technique
Any activity or procedure that prevents infection or breaks the chain of infection.
Asepsis (medical)
Clean technique; procedures performed to reduce the number of microorganisms and minimize their spread.
Asepsis (surgical)
Surgical technique; procedures performed to eliminate the presence of all microorganisms and/or prevent the introduction of microorganisms to an area.
Hand Hygiene
The act of washing one’s hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand rub.
Fomite
An inanimate object that can transmit bacteria.
Causative Agent
Microorganisms (pathogen) that causes an infectious disease.
Reservior
Place where an infectious agent (microorganism) can survive.
Portal of Exit
Path by which an infectious agent leaves the reservoir.
Mode of transmission
Method of transfer of an infectious agent from the reservoir to a susceptible host.
Portal of Entry
The path used by an infectious agent to enter a susceptible host.
Susceptible Host
Person or animal that lacks the ability to resist an infection by an infectious agent.
