Core Microbiology - Infection Prevention Control (8)

Question 1

Chain of infection

Answer 1

Pathogenic organism 
Reservoir 
Exit
Transmission
Entry
Susceptible host

Question 2

Eliminate pathogenic organism

Answer 2

• Environmental cleaning and decontamination (H202 room decontamination, spillage management, laundry)
• Equipment decontamination (sterilisation, disinfection)
• Antisepsis (surgical skin prep, MRSA decolonisation)
• Antibiotic prophylaxis (preoperative, post-exposure)

Question 3

Remove reservoir/source

Answer 3

• Hand hygiene

- Environmental cleaning and decontamination

Question 4

Minimise transmission

Answer 4

• Hand hygiene
• Personal protective equipment (gloves)
• Equipment decontamination
• Source and protective isolation
• Use of disposable equipment (syringes)

Question 5

Eliminate entry (and exit)

Answer 5

• Antisepsis (surgical skin prep)
• Asepsis
• Air handling (filtration and laminar flow, positive pressure ventilated lobby -PPVL)
• Sharps management
• Patient management

Question 6

Reduce susceptibility to infection

Answer 6

• Start smart - then focus

- Immunisation

Question 7

Sterilisation

Answer 7

Complete killing/removal of all types of microoganisms

Question 8

Sterilisation methods

Answer 8

• Heat (moist, dry)
• Chemical (gas, liquid)
• Filtration
• Ionising radiation (single use disposable equipment)

Question 9

Sterilisation by moist heat

Answer 9

Autoclave - steam under high pressure

Question 10

Sterilisation dry heat

Answer 10

Oven - controlled temperature cycles 160 degrees for 2 hours/1700 degrees for 1 hour

Question 11

Disinfection

Answer 11

Removal/destruction of sufficient numbers of potentially harmful micro-organisms to make an item safe to use

Question 12

Antisepsis

Answer 12

Disinfection applied to damaged skin/living tissues (requires a disinfectant with minimal toxicity)