I: Healthcare Infections Flashcards
What are healthcare infections?
Infections arising as a consequence of providing healthcare.
At which different stages on the infection model can infection be prevented?
- Intervene before the pathogen meets the patient
- Intervene with the mechanism of infection
Name some HAI that are viruses.
- Hep B, C
- HIV
- Influenza
- Chickenpox
Name some HAI that are bacteria.
- Staph aureus (including MRSA)
- C. Diff
- E.coli
- TB
Name some HAI that are fungi.
- Candida albicans
- Asperillus species
Name some HAI that are parasites.
Malaria
What patient factors may impact on the number of HAI?
- Extremes of age
- Obesity/ malnourishment
- Diabetes
- Cancer
- Immunosuppression
- Smoker
- Surgical patient
- Emergency admisssion
Name the 4 P’s of prevention.
- Patient
- Pathogen
- Practice
- Place
Expand on patient infection prevention.
- Interactions with other patients
- Interactions with healthcare workers
- Interaction with visitors
Expand on pathogen infection prevention.
- Virulence factors
- Ecological interactions
Expand on practice related infection prevention.
- Activates of health workers e.g. Carrying sharps
- Policies and their implementation
- Political initiatives
Expand on place related infection prevention.
- Fixed features (e.g. How close beds are)
- Variable features (e.g. Isolation rooms)
Describe the principles of antibiotic resistance.
It is inevitable as antibiotics are selective and hence create a selective pressure. One an antibiotic is given, the susceptible strains are killed, whilst the rests at strains survive to multiple and be passed on.
What is PPE?
Personal Protective Equipment such as gloves and masks which protect the health care worker from infection.
Describe some global issues relating to drug resistance.
- India: Prescriptions aren’t required to purchase antibiotics over the counter
- China: Prescribe shit tons of antibiotics for their livestock
Describe the characteristic of C.Diff.
- Diarrhoea as it presents in the large intestine
- Fever
Describe the pathogenesis of C.diff.
- Bacteria (gram positive bacilli)
- when antibiotics are prescribed for a patient (in particular amoxicillin) it depletes normal gut flora meaning their is less competition so this bacteria thrives
Describe the pathogenesis of staph aureus.
Staph aureus has virulence factor called coagulase. This promotes the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin. This means it is able to form blood clots around itself within the blood, preventing phagocytosis
Describe the clinical presentation of norovirus.
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
How is the norovirus spread?
Faecal oral route
How would a norovirus infection be managed? (Use 4 P’s)
Pathogen: Removal of contaminated feaces
Patient: Isolate, keep admissions to a minimum
Practice: Education about viral gastronitis, good communication
Place: Patients should be isolated in a side room. They will need their own designated toilet and commode. Special care required with laundry and cleaning of contaminated areas and rooms.
