Hand Hygeine and Infection Control Flashcards
Why do we carry out hand hygiene?
The world health organisation state that hand hygiene reduces the transmission. of microorganisms
What is hand hygiene?
The removal of microorganisms and their debris by mechanical means or destruction
What are the 5 moments of Hand Hygiene? (WHO)
- Before patient contact
- Before clean/aseptic technique
- After body fluid exposure risk
- After patient contact
- After contact with patient surroundings
What are the indications for hand hygiene?
According to skills for midwifery practice
Before and after direct contact
After exposure to body fluids
Hands feel or look dirty (visibly soiled)
After using the toilet
After removing gloves
Prior to aseptic technique
Before and after eating or preparing food
What are the different types of hand hygiene techniques?
Social/routine
Hygienic/clinical
Surgical
What is social/routine hand hygiene?
Removes microorganisms
Use liquid soap for at least 15 seconds
What is hygienic/clinical hand hygiene?
Prior to aseptic technique
Use of approved antiseptic hand cleanser
Removes transient microorganisms
What is surgical hand hygiene?
Prior to operating theatre
What is asepsis?
The absence of sepsis or infection
Free from pathogenic microorganisms achieved by aseptic technique
What is medical (standard) asepsis?
Achieved by non touch technique
It aims to reduce the risk of pathogenic microorganisms
What is surgical asepsis?
It requires aseptic field which is covered by sterile towels to hold sterile instruments.
This aims to remove all pathogens
What is meant by clean?
Removing dirt to achieve asepsis
Not satisfactory standard for invasive procedure
What is meant by sterile?
Free from microorganisms
Not possible to achieve in a typical healthcare setting
What is a clean surface?
Surface wiped clean with a clinical wipe to remove dust and soil
Explain the procedure when washing hands
The World Health Organisation advise to
- Wet hands with water and apply enough soap to cover all hand surfaces
- Dub hands palm to palm (circular)
- Rub back of hand with palm of other (fingers interlaced)
- Rub hands palm to palm with fingers interlocked
- Rub back of fingers to opposing palm with fingers interlocked
- Rub each thumb clasped in opposing hand (rotational)
- Rub tips of fingers in opposite palm (circular)
- Rinse hands
- Turn tap off with your elbow
- Dry each hand with seperate towel
- The world health organisation say it should take 40-60 seconds for entire procedure
- Repeat if hands still soiled
What is infection control?
Policies and procedures developed and implemented to prevent spread of infections among staff and patients
What is a nosociomial infection?
Infection contracted while in hospital or healthcare facility
Define Sepsis
Life threatening condition where body’s response to infection injures it’s own tissues and organs
What are some body fluids?
Blood Saliva Mucus Amniotic fluid Vomit Urine Faeces Breastfeeding Wound secretions Sputum Cerebrospinal fluid
What are the routes transmission?
Inanimate objects- equipment Airborne- dust particles Droplets- coughing/sneezing Lack of hand washing Direct/indirect contact- touch Ingestion- food/fluid Vector- insects/rodents
What is a latrogenic risk factor?
Caused by medical treatment
Pathogens on hands, invasive procedures (example catheters)
What is a organisational risk factor?
Contaminated air con, water systems, nurse/patient ratio, beds close together, bed occupancy
What is a patient risk factor?
Severity of illness, immunocompromised state, length of stay, pre-existing conditions
What are the two types of skin organisms?
Transient and resident
What is meant by transient?
Acquired from environment
Travel on hands temporarily
Transfer easily
Removed with hand hygiene
What is meant by resident?
Normal flora (healthy) Deep in skin Difficult to remove Don’t cross infect easily Could infect damaged skin
What types of PPE is there?
Single-use (changed between service users)
Gloves Aprons Waterproof plasters of cuts Masks Goggles
What is COSHH?
Control of substances hazardous to health
What are infection risks for mother?
Changes in urinary tract Maternal immunosuppression Raw placental site Retention of placental tissue Production of lochia Vaginal and vulva laceration Incisions following surgery Invasive procedures Breastfeeding Immature immune system in infant Exposure to body fluids
What are the standard precautions of infection control?
- Patient placement
- Hand hygiene
- Respiratory and cough hygiene
- PPE
- Safe management of care equipment
- Safe management of care environment
- Safe management of linen
- Safe management of blood and body fluids
- Safe disposal of waste
- Occupational safety/managing prevention of exposure
