Infection control Flashcards
Virulence
Strength of a pathogen’s ability to cause disease.
Chain of Infection
Virulence, number of microorganisms, susceptible host and portal of entry.
Number of microorganisms
a high enough number of pathogenic microorganisms must be present to overwhelm the body’s defenses.
Susceptible host
is a person who is unable to resist infection by a particular pathogen.
Portal of entry
means of entering the body.
Acute infection
symptoms are severe and appear soon after the initial infection occurs. - short duration -
Chronic infection
microorganisms mat persist for life. - long duration -
Latent infection
persistent infection in which symptoms “come and go”
Opportunistic infection
are caused by normally nonpathogenic organisms, occur in individuals whose resistances is decreased or compromised.
Infectious disease
Is one that is communicable or contagious, can be transmitted from one host to another.
Direct transmission
person to person - sneezing, coughing or splatter during treatment.
Indirect transmission
occurs when microorganisms first are transmitted to an object or surface, and then are transferred to another person who touches those objects or surfaces.
Airborne transmission
also known as droplet infection- spread of disease through droplets of moisture that contain bacteria or viruses.
Blood-borne transmission
are carried in the blood and body fluids of infected individuals and can be transmitted to others.
Immune system
responsible for providing resistance to communicable diseases.
Immunity
allows the body to resist a disease and prevents foreign bodies from causing infection.
Inherited immunity
present at birth- gotten from mother to infant.
Acquired immunity
gotten during a lifetime either acquired naturally or artificially.
Naturally acquired immunity
occurs when a person has previously contracted a disease and recovered.
Artificially acquired immunity
the body forms antibodies in response to the vaccine.
Disease transmission in the dental office
Patient to dental team- Dental team to patient- Patient to patient- Dental office to community- Community to dental office to patient.
Transmission patient to dental team
Most common is direct contact with patients blood or saliva.
CDC
Centers for Disease Control and pervention
OSHA
Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
What the CDC does
they issue specific recommendations that are based on sound scientific evidence for health related matters. -makes laws-
What OSHA does
issues specific standards designed to protect the health of employees in the U.S. -enforces laws-
OSHA’s BBP standard
Most important infection control law in dentistry. Created to protect employees against occupational exposure to blood-borne disease causing organisms.
OPIM
Other Potentially Infectious Material
Exposure control plan
a written plan that clearly describes how that office complies with the BBP.
How often must you update your exposure control plan?
Must be reviewed and updated Annually.
Universal precautions
all human blood or bodily fluids are to be treated as if known to be infected with a blood-borne disease.
Standard precautions
expands the elements of the Universal precautions into a standard of care, that is designed to protect healthcare providers from pathogens that can be spread.
Occupational exposure determination
Category 1
- Routinely exposed to blood, saliva or both.- dentist, dental hygienist, DA, sterilization assistant and dental lab tech.
Occupational exposure determination
Category 2
- May on occasion be exposed to blood, saliva or both.- Receptionist or office manager who may occasionally clean treatment room or handle instruments or impressions.
Occupational exposure determination
Category 3
- Never exposed to blood or saliva. - Financial manager, insurance clerk, or computer operator.
Training with Infection control procedures
BBP standard requires the dentist/employer to provide training in infection control and safety to anyone who may come in contact with contaminated surfaces or instruments.
Procedural steps-First aid after exposure-
- stop operation immediately. 2. remove your gloves. 3. If area of broken skin is bleeding, gently squeeze the site to express a small amount of visible blood. 4. wash your hand thoroughly, using antimicrobial soap and warm water. 5. dry your hands. 6. apply a small amount of antiseptic to the affected area. 7. apply an adhesive bandage to the area. 8. complete application post-exposure follow up steps.
Managing sharps container
contaminated needles and other disposable sharps must be placed into sharps container. Container must be puncture resistant, leak proof and color coded or labeled with a bio hazard symbol.
