INF1 - A. INTERVENTIONS-COVERED Flashcards
how do HCAI occur
medical or surgical treatment
being in contact with a healthcare setting
what are the most common HCAIs
respiratory, UTIs, surgical site infections
how are HCAIs transmitted
blood
body fluids
direct contact with non-intact skin/mucous membranes
inhalation of droplets
inoculation incidents
types of infection control
hand decontamination
use of PPE
safe use and disposal of sharps
gloves
aprons
main cause of HCAIs
microorganisms already on/in patient’s body (colonisation) getting into skin or due to weakened body defences
or
microorganisms from another patient through direct contact or contaminated hospital environment
MRSA - methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus
type of Staph Aureus resistant to methicillin and some other antibiotics
what is the decolonisation process for MRSA
nasal mupirocin ointment
chlorhexidine body and hair wash
how does c. diff spread
- bacteria present in diarrhoea
- the outside body, present as spores which survive for long time
what is clostridium difficile
- bacteria that causes diarrhoea
- lives naturally in gut w/o causing harm
- balance of bacteria disrupted (antibiotics, surgery, weakened immune system) C. diff multiplies and produces toxins
control of c. diff to prevent spread
isolated in single room until no symptoms for 48 hours
why is norovirus dangerous
causes dehydration
how is norovirus spread
direct contact, contaminated water/food/surfaces, airborne transmission (poop/vomit)
how to prevent spread of norovirus
wash hands thoroughly
isolation for 48-72 hours after symptoms resolved
close wards
what is colonisation
presence of bacteria (ie - pathogens) on a body surface without causing disease (mutualistic or commensal relationship with host) - known as a carrier
non-pathogenic organisms can become pathogenic given specific conditions
what is infection
organisms enter body through compromised body sites and medical devices and multiples in body tissues of host
