Infection Control Flashcards
inherent
native to the host, E. coli
contagious
spreadable, we get from another person, flu, strep
localized
affects one part of the body, wart on finger
systemic
affects whole body, pneumonia, flu
primary
first infection
secondary
occurs because of another infection
exogenous
lives outside of us - exterior
endogenous
lives inside of us
infection
when a pathogen invades tissues and begins multiplying within a host - invasion and multiplication
colonization
presence and multiplication of microorganisms within a host but no tissue invasion or damage
communicable disease
can be transmitted from one individual to another, COVID
symptomatic infection
have signs and symptoms of disease
asymptomatic infection
no symptoms
virulence
ability to produce disease, seasonal flu, new strand of COVID
best solution to prevent illness
hand hygiene
barrier techniques
gloves, masks, gown, goggles
antiseptic
used on the skin
disinfectant
used on inanimate objects
conscientious patient care
throwing away trash, cleaning up tissues, washing sheets
5 prevention and control techniques
hand hygiene, barriers, antiseptics/disinfectants, immunizations/medications, conscientous
most important action during hand hygiene
friction
what happens the longer the duration of care in the absence of hand hygiene?
the higher the degree of contamination (colonization) on the healthcare worker’s hands
why is hand hygiene so important?
to prevent our patients from getting sick or giving germs from one patient to another
to keep us from getting sick
healthcare associated infections - nosocomial infections
10th leading cause of death in US
each year in the US, how many people get HAI?
2 million patients, 90,000 of those die
each year in the US, how many people die from poor hand hygiene?
a third of our population
5 moments for hand hygiene
before touching a patient, before clean/aseptic procedure, after body fluid exposure risk, after touching a patient, after touching patient surroundings
the iceberg effect
present infection is tip of iceberg, there are so many more organisms in patient’s body that are colonized
natural defense mechanisms against infection
skin, mouth (saliva, inside lining moves things), eyes (eyelashes, tears), respiratory tract (cough, secretions, hairs in nose), urinary tract, GI (motility and peristalsis), vagina (acidic environment)
skin, mouth, eyes, resp, uri, vag
infectious agents examples
virus, bacteria, fungus, protozoans, helminths (worms), prions
VBFPHP
reservoir
any natural setting where growth and reproduction of an infectious agent can occur
where organism reproduces and thrives
reservoir examples
humans, animals, food, water, insects, inanimate objects (more mode), soiled or wet dressings, hospital equipment
portal of exit
where an infectious agent gets out of where it came from - excretions, secretions, skin, droplets
portal of exit examples
anything that’s open - open wound, mouth, eyes, Gi tract
resp: sputum, cough, sneeze
G-U: reproductive secretions, urine
G-I: saliva, emesis, blood, feces
venous: blood
non-intact skin: draining wounds
eyes/ears
respiratory hygiene is so important because
you’re creating a portal of exit unless you cover your cough, sneeze, wear a mask
direct contact
person to person
indirect contact
fomite (objects) - stethoscope, thermometer, bed railing
respiratory
through the air
vector
insect transmission
indirect contact high touch areas
gowns, bed linen, bedside furniture, objects in immediate environment
handles
IV poles
bp machines, pulse ox, stethoscope
accudata machines
bleach wipes
for where C diff is present, have to keep surface wet for 3 minutes
hydrogen peroxide wipes
almost all patients who don’t have C diff, have to keep surface wet for 1 minute
portal of entry
GI-GU tract, mucous membranes, skin integrity disruption, respiratory tract, eyes
susceptible host
immunocompromised from chemo, autoimmune, chronic illnesses
old or very young
trauma/surgery
indwelling devices
skin, mucous membrane breaks
poor oxygenation
impaired circulation
chronic or acute disease
antibiotic resistant (MDRO)
poor aseptic measures
poor nutrition
crowded environments
poor sanitation
travel exposure
nurse having open abrasion on skin could represent which three elements in chain of infection?
portal of exit, entry and reservoir
a butterfly needle used to draw blood, if not properly disposed of, could be which element in chain of infection?
method of transmission
mouth is which element?
portal of exit
IV inserted without cleaning skin is which element?
method of transmission, portal of entry is skin
a stethoscope represents which element?
method of transmission
flowers/plants represent which two elements?
reservoir and method of transmission
when a nurse fails to wear PPE for a patient isolated with pertussis, the nurse’s scrubs are which element?
method of transmission
unwashed fruit directly from a field is which two elements?
reservoir and method of transmission
mouth is portal of entry
containers with free standing water are which element?
reservoir
COVID-19 is which element?
etiological agent
a head laceration that is open to the air, somewhat fresh and not showing signs of infection is which element?
portal of entry
healthcare-associated infections have three effects
increased morbidity and mortality of patients
increased cost to the organization
decreased trust
