Infection Prevention & Control Flashcards
What is infection prevention and control?
An evidence based approach which prevents patients and healthcare workers from being harmed by avoidable infections
What is the importance of infection prevention and control to student paramedics
To protect themselves, patients and families
We are exposed to blood borne viruses such as Hep B
We are exposed to high risk bodily fluids
We attend to immuno-compromised patients
What is an infection
The bodies adverse effect to the Prescence of a pathogen
What 3 things are required for an infection to occur?
A source - where a pathogen lives (sinks etc)
Susceptible person
A way of entering the body - mouth, nose, wounds
If an infection is limited to one site what is it called?
localised
If an infection is spread throughout the body what is it called?
systemic
What is colonisation?
The pathogen in or on the body does not lead to an infection
Why do symptoms of infections occur?
The pathogens release toxins
The chain of infection
- infectious agent
- reservoir (microorganism thrives and reproduces)
- portal of exit (usually fluids)
- Mode of transmission
- Portal of entry
- susceptible host
How to break the chain of infection
Hand hygiene
Knowledge of organisms and how they cause infection
Using PPE when appropriate
Updated vaccine status
Cleaning spillages safely
Respiratory etiquette
Safe handling of sharps
Relevant legislation to infection prevention & control
HASAWA 1974: training & provision of PPE, reporting of risky situations
Health and Social Care Act 2008: duty of care to implement effective infection prevention and control procedures
When should hand hygiene be completed?
- before touching a patient
- after fluid exposure
- after touching patient surroundings
- before aseptic technique
- after touching a patient
Hand washing stages
- rub hands together in circular motion
- back of hands with fingers interlaced
- palms together with fingers interlaced
- interlock fingers and rub opposing palms
- thumbs clasped with opposite hands
- rub finger tips in opposite palms
- each wrist with opposite hand
If a sharps injury occurs, what do you do?
- encourage the wound to bleed
- wash the wound with soap and water
- dry wound and waterproof plaster
- seek medical advice
- report it
- complete accident book/incident report
Waste management coloured bags
Yellow - infectious waste
Yellow and Black - offensive / hygiene waste
Purple tub - cytotoxic/cytostatic
Black - domestic waste
