Infection Control Flashcards
When should you wash your hands as a means for infection control?
anytime you work with a patient hands on, this should be done for all patients
When should you wear gloves as a means for infection control?
when touching all body fluids, blood secretions, excretions, and contaminated items
When should you wear a mask as a means for infection control? (besides Rona Season)
for protection during activities that at risk for splashing of any body fluids
When should you wear a gown as a means for infection control? (besides Rona Season)
during activities that are at risk for splashing of any body fluids
What are the standard Airborne Precautions?
What are examples of conditions that warrant these precautions?
- patient should be in a private room that has negative air pressure and 6-12 air changes with an hour
- room door should remain closed and patient should limit amount of time out of room to only be done when necessary
- wear respiratory protection when entering room
Examples include measles, varicella, and tuberculosis
What are the standard Droplet Precautions?
What are examples of conditions that warrant these precautions?
- private room or shared with a patient who also has droplet precautions, door may stay open
- maintain 3 feet of distance as much as possible
- wear a mask if working within 3 feet of patient
- limit patient’s time out of the room and have them wear a mask when out of the room
bacterial or viral infections
What are the standard Contact Precautions?
What are examples of conditions that warrant these precautions?
- private room or shared with a patient with same precautions
- use gloves when entering room and change them after direct contact with infected material
- take gloves off prior to leaving room and perform good hand washing
- wear a gown if there will be substantial close contact with the patient and remove gown before leaving
- do not share medical equipment that patient uses with any other patients
Examples include GI, respiratory, skin or wound infections, hepatitis A, and herpes simplex virus
What are nosocomial infections?
What is the primary factor to prevent these infections?
infections that are acquired during a hospitalization
proper hand washing
What is asepsis?
the elimination of the microorganisms that cause infection and the creation of a sterile field
What is proper hand washing?
warm water and soap with all jewelry removed for 30 seconds then use paper towel to turn off sink
What is a sterile field?
a place used to maintain medical asepsis and is designated to void all contaminants and microorganisms
there are strict protocols for establishing and maintaining a sterile field