Infection Flashcards
what are the different types of infection in surgical patients
3 types
1) superficial - an infection in the skin area only
2) deep - infection goes deeper than skin
3) organ - infection deep and involves organ
what are the patient risk factors in infection in the surgical patient
extremes of age poor nutritional state DM Renal failure smoking co-existing infection at other sites immunosuppression long post-operative stay
what are the operative risk factors in infection in the surgical patient
pre-op shaving length of operation foreign material in surgical site insertion of a surgical drain inadequate instrument sterilization poor closure of the wound post-op hypothermia post-op hematoma or lymphatic leak site of procedure
clinical features of infection in surgical pts
typically appear 3-7 days post-procedure - can take up to 3 weeks for prosthetic
surgical erythema
localised pain
pus/discharge from wound
wound dehiscence
unexplained persistent pyrexia
investigation for infection in a surgical patient?
wound swabs
bloods - FBC, U&E, CRP
blood cultures
if severe - BUFALO
what is the management of infection in a surgical patient?
ABX - using local guidelines to cover the most likely causative agent
removal of surgical sutures/clips
discharge of drainage of an pus
monitor closely
return to theatre if required for wash out
supportive care - analgesia and antipyrexial
what are some of the actions which can be carried out to prevent infection
hand decontamination
clean environment
sterile equipment
pre-op showering
hair removal
mechanical bowel prep
good diabetic control, smoking cessation, weight loss will all help to reduce infection risk
what is another name for glandular fever
infective mononucleosis or kissing disease
what is the main causative agent for infective mononucleosis
Epstein - Barr Virus - 90% of the time and it is most commonly spread through saliva ie kissing, sharing cups, toothbrushes, and other equipment that transmits saliva
which age group is most suspectable to infective mononucleosis
15-24 –> uni student esp freshers
clinical features of infective mononucleosis
the classic triad of fever, pharyngitis, and lymphadenopathy (general or cervical)
other symptoms incl –> fatigue, hepatitis, jaundice, myalgia, splenomegaly
macular rash in 10-20% of pts esp if treatment has started (ampicillin, amoxicillin etc)
investigation of infective monocuelosis
1) monospot test –> test for heterphil antibodies –> 60% +ve in 1st week, if -ve, repeat test in 7 days
2) FBC with blood film –> present of atypical lymphocytes
3) EBV specific antibodies if urgent test required
LFT
PCR
USS/CT abdo - splenomegaly/spleen rupture
differentials of infective mononucleosis
acute HIV infection Group A streptococcal pharyngitis Hep A Adenovirus Human herpes virus 6 CMV Herpes simplex virus -1
management of infective monoculceosis
acute - supportive
if upper airway obstruction due to pharyngitis / haemolytic anaemia - Prednisolone + admission
if Thrombocytopaenia -Prednisolone + IV Immunoglobulin
what is the definition of hospital-acquired pneumonia
pneumonia 48 hours after admission to hospital
what is the definition of ventilator-acquired pneumonia
pneumonia 48-72 hours after endotracheal intubation
what is the definition of hospital-acquired MRSA
MRSA 48 hours after admission to hospital
what is the definition of hospital-acquired C.Diff
occurs more than 3 days after admission to the hospital
what are some of the causative agents for HAP
usually aerobic gram -ve bacilli
Pseudomonas aerginsoa E.coli Klebsiella pneumonia Acinetobacter MSSA/MRSA Legionella- water supply Aspergillus- airvent.
what are some of the causative agents for VAP
Pseudomonas aerginosa E.coli Klebsiella Acinetobacter Staph A
what are some of the causative agents for catheter acquired UTI
E.coli
proteus mirabilis
Klebsiella