Class 2: PRINCIPLES OF ASEPSIS Flashcards
asepsis
the process for keeping away disease producing microorganisms
medical asepsis
procedures used to reduce and prevent the spread of microorganisms
microorganisms
can only be seen with a microscope and are typically a single cell. Includes bacteria, protozoans, certain types of algae, and fungi.
contamination
the presence of an infectious agent on the body or in objects
portal of exit
any body opening on an infected person that allows pathogens to leave
portal of entry
the site through which microorganisms enter the susceptible host and cause disease or infection
universal precauations
steps taken to prevent the spread of disease through blood and other body fluids when providing first aid of health care
communicable disease
infectious and contagious, an infection that can be transmitted from one person to another
chain of infection
goes in a circle of:
infectious agent-reservoir-portal of exit-mode of transmission-portal of entry-host.
resident organisms
permanent residents of the skin, they survive and multiply without causing harm. they are not easily removed with hand washing
reservoir
place where pathogens can survive but may or may not multiply
carrier
animals or people who show no symptoms of illness but who have pathogens on or in their body that can be transferred to others
aerobic bacteria
require oxygen to survive and to multiply sufficiently to cause disease. they cause more infection then anaerobic organisms
anaerobic bacteria
organisms that only survive in the absence of oxygen
facts about microorganisms
- require nourishment
- some require oxygen and live off of no oxygen
- most require water
- ideal temperature is 35-37 degrees
- pH preferred is 5-8
- thrive in dark places
immune response
a protective reaction that neutralizes pathogens and repairs body cells
superinfection
develops when broad-spectrum antibiotics eliminate a wide range of microorganisms, not just those carrying the infection
exudates
fluids and cells that are discharged from cells or blood vessels (pus).
edema
accumulated fluid that appears as local swelling
leukocytosis
an increase in WBC’s
serous
clear, watery plasma
sanguineous
bloody drainage
serosanguineous
thin watery, drainage that is blood tinged
purulent
thick drainage that contains pus
exogenous infection
arises from microorganisms external to the individual that do not exist as normal flora
endogenous infection
occur when a patients flora has been altered and overgrowth
disinfection
the elimination of all pathogens except bacterial spores
sterilization
destruction of all microorganisms including spores
surgical asepsis
the elimination of all microorganisms
ways to reduce the number of skin microorganisms
- hand washing
- using barrier techniques
- protecting objects in the environment from contamination, or disinfecting them ASAP
environmental consideration
- use of disinfectants
- clean up biohazard waste and dispose of contaminated equipment
- proper sharps disposal
- terminal disinfection
fomite
a surface that can harbour pathogens
5 movements of hygiene
- before touching a patient
- before a procedure
- after a procedure
- after touching a patient
- after touching a patients environment
vector
a disease transmitted by insects
Nosocomial Infections facts
-every year 8,000-12,000 Canadians die from them
Common nosocomial infections
genitourinary
respiratory
surgical site
gastrointestinal
exogenous
getting a pathogen from an outside source
endogenous
getting a pathogen from within the body
MRSA
methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus.
bacteria found in the nose or skin. most people are unaware the have it.
-symptoms: boils, skin infections, pneumonia (through coughing)
-usually spread through hand, not usually spread through the air. sharing personal items
-the people who are long term or excessive users of antibiotics are the most at risk.
-treatment involves hygiene, isolation sometimes depending on the severity, certain types of antibiotics, drain wounds
-there is no vaccine to prevent you from it.
contact precautions
-intended to prevent transmission of infectious agents that are spread by contact with the patient or the patients environment
cleaning
removal of foreign matter. usually water and mechanical action with or without detergents
pathogen
a microorganisms that enters a living thing and causes disease
C. diff.
- bacteria that live in the bowel of up to 7% of people without causing illness.
- not killed by common antibiotics, and will continue to grow
- produces toxins that can damage to the cells in the intestine
- people at risk are those taking antibiotics, undergoing cancer chemotherapy, have other illnesses and the elderly
- sometimes no symptoms but they can include watery diarrhea, fever, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal pain
- through touch and touching surfaces.
- prevention is good handwashing
VRE
- Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci
- spread by direct contact
- healthy people at low risk
- you are at risk if you have been treated with frequent doses of vancomycin before, or if you have stayed for a long time in a hospital where there have been previous VRE cases
- if you have VRE and you are healthy you do not need treatment
- treatment for VRE is dependent on the case to determine
CPO
- Carbapenemase-producing Organisms
- found in the gut
- spread through direct contact
- at risk if you have long term antibiotic use
- if you get cpo doctors will give you special antibiotics to treat it
