Infection Control Flashcards
What is a infectious agent?
Pathogen Bacteria Virion Parasite Fungi Prion
Describe the chain of infection.
Infectious agent
What is a reservoir?
A place where an infectious agent can survive and/or multiply. Eg
In the chain of infection, what is a source?
A person or animal that transmits the infectious agent
In the COI, what are carriers?
Person/animal with no symptom of illness but have evidence of a infectious pathogen on or in their bodies that can be transferred to others
What do infectious agents require?
Favorable en environment within a reservoir to thrive
What is the portal of exit?
Once infectious agents find a site to grow and multiply they require a POE to enter another host and cause disease. (e.g. skin, blood, respiratory, urinary, gastrointestinal, reproductive tracts)
What is the most common mode of transmission?
Contact.
- Direct
- Indirect
e. g. Clostridium difficile
True/false
Droplet is infectious particles larger than 5 microns
True
Distribution limited by force of expulsion and gravity
Eg. Influenza virus
Is airborne a mode of transmission?
Yes.
Via particles that remain infectious over time and distance.
Procedures that induce coughing, wind, aerosols, low humidity
Eg. Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Another mode of transmission is?
Vehicle.
Water, food, air, soil
What are examples of external mechanical transfer (vector)?
Insects, birds, animals
Eg. Cholera
What is internal transmission (vector)?
Parasitic conditions between vector and host.
Eg. Malaria
In the COI, what is the portal of entry?
Infectious agents can enter the body through the same routes they exit.
Eg. Bodily systems, invasive medical device
What do factors that impair the body’s normal defenses do?
They increase the opportunity for pathogens to enter and infect the body
In the COI, what is the host?
A person/animal who cannot resist the infectious agent which invades the body and multiplies to result in a infection
What is the host’s susceptibility?
A host’s likelihood to require an infection depends upon their susceptibility to an infectious agent.
What is a health associated infection?
Infection that was not apparent or incubating at the time of hospital admission.
Appears 48 hours after admission or after discharge
What are the categories of a health associated infection?
Urinary tract Surgical wounds Respiratory Bloodborne Other (gastrointestinal)
How to prevent HAI?
Remove or kill infectious agents: Cleaning Sterilisation Disinfection Antimicrobials
How do you break the mode of transmission?
Hand hygiene Keep equipment and surfaces dry Clean Appropriate waste disposal Educate patient regarding hygiene Improve immune defences Standard/additional precautions Aseptic technique
Why is hand hygiene important?
It’s the single most important hygiene measure to prevent the spread of infection
True/false
Gloves are a substitute for hand washing
False
How do you wash your hands?
At least 15 sec, longer if soiled Soap, lather and friction Interlace fingers, rub palms, sides and back at least 5 times Turn off tap with towel or elbow Pat dry - avoid rubbing Moisturize and keep skin intact No nail polish or artificial nails
What are the 5 moments of hand hygiene?
Before touching a patient Before a procedure After a procedure or body fluid exposure risk After touching a patient After touching a patient's surroundings
What are the two tiered infection control systems used in australia?
Standard precautions
Transmission based precautions
Correct sequence for applying PPE?
Gown
Mask
Protective eyewear/face shield
Gloves
