Hospital associated infections Flashcards
What is a healthcare associated infection?
An infection you might catch getting healthcare
Could be in hospitals, care homes, doctor’s surgeries, health centres or care homes
What are the most common types of hospital acquired infections?
Urine infections (via catheters) Surgical infections Skin infections Resp tract infections (via intubation) Bloodstream infections (via cannulas) GI infections
For how many hours do you usually have to be in hospital to develop a hospital acquired infection?
48 hours
What is the definition of an outbreak an infection?
2 or more cases of an infection linked in time and place
What is the purpose of infection surveillance?
To detect and identify potential infection outbreaks at the earliest opportunity
What are the 6 factors in the chain of infection?
Infectious agent Reservoir Portal of exit Mode of transmission Portal of entry Susceptible host
Give examples of infectious agents.
Bacteria
Virus
Fungi
Prion
Give examples of infection reservoirs.
Humans Equipment Environment Food Animals
Give examples of infections portal of exit.
Blood Bodily fluids Skin scales Wounds Coughing Sneezing
Give examples of infections mode of transmission.
Direct
Indirect
Inhalation
Ingestion (contaminated food)
Give examples of infections portal of entry.
Skin/surgical wounds Eyes Mouth Resp tract GI tract Tubes
Give examples of susceptible hosts.
Those with: Underdeveloped immune system Decreasing immune system Drugs Diseases Tubes
What are the contact precautions used to limit infection spread?
Hand hygiene
Personal protective equipment (e.g. apron, gloves, masks and eye protection)
Shut the door
What are the methods of preventing the mode of transmission of infections?
Hand hygiene Personal protective equipment Food safety Cleaning, disinfecting an sterilisation Isolation
What are the methods of preventing the portal of exit of infections?
Hand hygiene Personal protective equipment Control of aerosols and splatter Respiratory etiquette (e.g. covering your mouth when you cough) Waste dispossal
What are the methods of preventing those being susceptible hosts of an infection?
Immunisations
Treating the underlying disease
Health insurance
Patient education
What are the differences between a droplet and an aerosol?
Droplet: >5µm, spreads less than 1m, drops to the ground
Aerosol: <5µm, more widespread, remains suspended in the air
What type of spread is more infectious, airborne or droplet?
Airborne
What is the definition of clanging, disinfection and sterilisation?
Cleaning: the physical removal of organic material and decrease in microbial load
Disinfection: a large reduction in microbe numbers (spores may remain)
Sterilisation: the removal/destruction of ALL microbes and spores
Give an example of something that is a high risk of infection transmission, which need to be sterilised.
Surgical equipment
What is used in cleaning?
Detergent and water
What is an important part of the cleaning process?
Drying
Give examples of methods of disinfection.
Heat e.g. boling
Chemical e.g. alcohol
Give examples of methods of sterilisation.
Steam under pressure
Hot air oven
Gas
Ionising radiation
What are the different types of surveillance for infections?
Local -> lab, ward or clinical area based
National
