Infection Control Flashcards
What is PPE? Give examples…
PPE is single use personal protective equipment and should be changed between service users and possibly during procedure.
Gloves Aprons Masks Goggles Waterproof plasters for cuts and abrasions
(COSHH - HSE)
What is the risk of using gloves unnecessarily?
Can cause dermatitis, which damages the skin and increases infection risk.
Donning unnecessary gloves does not replace effective hand hygiene.
Definition of infection control
The process by which health care facilities develop and implement specific policies and procedures to prevent the spread of infections among health care staff and patients
What is a nosocomial infection?
An infection contracted by a patient of staff member while in hospital or health care facility (not present or incubating on admission) (WHO)
What is sepsis?
A life threatening condition that arises when the body’s response to an infection injures its own tissues and organs
What are the 10 standard infection control precautions? (NHS)
- Patient placement, assessment for infection risk
- Handy hygiene
- Respiratory and cough hygiene
- PPE
- Safe management of care equipment
- Safe management of the care environment
- Safe management of linen
- Safe management of blood and body fluids
- Safe disposal of waste (including sharps)
- Occupational safety/managing prevention of exposure
What is iatrogenesis?
Disease, illness, infection caused by medical treatment
Pathogens on hands of medical personnel, invasive procedures (IV cannula, urinary catheters, intubation), antibiotic use, and prophylaxis
Examples of nosocomial/healthcare associated infections
MRSA
MSSA
C.diff
E.coli
Common sites for nosocomial infections
Surgical incisions Clinical sepsis Lower GI Urinary tract Lower respiratory tract Bloodstream
Difference between microorganisms and pathogens
Not all microorganisms cause infection
However, pathogens are disease causing microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi
Transmission of pathogens = cross-infections
Two types of skin organisms
Transient organisms - acquired from environment and travel on hands temporarily, easily transferred on to women/patients, can be removed with robust hand hygiene
Resident organisms - normal flora, lies deep in skin and difficult to remove - does not cross infect easily, could infect damaged skin
Hand hygiene aims to remove transient bacteria
Difference between infection and contamination
Contamination = microorganisms are present on surface
Infection = Occurs when a significant number of microorganisms reach a susceptible site and multiply, causing harm to the host
Factors affecting clinical staff & infection control
Lack of time Lack of facilities, e.g. gloves, basins Workload Motivation Attitude Education & policies Risk of perception by staff members Sharing equipment - not decontaminated adequately between patients Poor cleaning Cost Lack of positive role model Lack of management support
Factors affecting service users & infection control
Age
Chronic diseases e.g. diabetes, asthma
Psychological wellbeing
Nutrition - vitamins - immunity
Work-related
Other infections - increase chance of acquiring more
Immunity e.g. due to medical condition
Medication - can affect immunity
Lifestyle - smoking increases risk of chest infections
Drug injection sites
Alcohol - affect progression of some infections e.g. hep b
Exposure to infection - contact with other people
Presence of wound - portal of entry for microorganisms
Presence of invasive devices e.g. IV, catheters
Surgery - wound
Immobility - chest infection
Pregnancy - risk of UTI plus chest infection later in pregnancy
Routes of transmission of infections
Inanimate objects - equipment Airborne - dust particles Droplets - coughing, sneezing Lack of hand washing of staff Direct/indirect contact - touch Ingestion - food/fluid Vector - insects/rodents
