Infection Prevention and control

Question 1

Chain of infection

Answer 1

• Pathogenic organism
• Reservoir or source
• Mode of exit
• Mode of transmission
• Portal of entry
• Susceptible host

Question 2

Eliminating pathogenic organism

Answer 2

• Environmental cleaning and decontamination
• Antisepsis
• Equipment sterilisation

Question 3

Remove source

Answer 3

Hand hygiene (SEMMELWEIS)

Question 4

Minimise transmission

Answer 4

Hand hygiene (SEMMELWEIS)

• PPE
• Equipment sterilisation

Question 5

Bacteria carried on hands

Answer 5

• Resident bacteria - deep seated, difficult to remove, aid in protection from colonisation of harmful species
• Transient bacteria (virulent): easily picked up and transferred, easily removed, important cause of HCAIs

Question 6

5 moments of hand hygiene

Answer 6

• Before/after patient contact
• Before aseptic task
• After contact with patient surrounds
• After bodily fluid exposure risk

Question 7

When is soap and water used

Answer 7

for soiled hands and infections e.g. C. diff, viral gastro-enteritis

Question 8

When to use alcohol gel

Answer 8

for most activities you are likely to undertake on visiting clinical areas

Question 9

Decontamination

Answer 9

combination of processes that removes or destroys contamination so that infectious agents or other contaminants cannot reach a susceptible site in sufficient quantities to initiate infection, or other harmful response

Question 10

Sterilisation

Answer 10

complete killing or removal of all types of micro-organisms

Question 11

Sterilisation methods

Answer 11

• Heat – moist vs dry: lower temp in moist heat = same effect as higher temp in dry heat
• Autoclave – steam under high pressure, oven – 160 for 2 hours or 170 for 1.
• Chemical – gas, liquid
• Filtration and ionising radiation – used for single use disposable equipment

Question 12

Disinfection

Answer 12

removal or destruction of sufficient numbers of potentially harmful microorganisms to make an item safe to use

Question 13

Disinfection methods

Answer 13

• Chemical disinfectants

- Antisepsis - disinfection to damaged skin/living tissues

Question 14

Properties of disinfectant to consider:

Answer 14

• Effects on microbe – spectrum and sporicidality
• Chemical properties – shelf life, concentration, compatibility with other chemicals
• Physical effects and harmful effects – corrosiveness, irritant potential, toxicity