IPAC Flashcards
Stages of an infectious process
- Incubation Period
- Prodomal Stage
- Illness Stage
- Convalescent Period
Incubation Period
Interval between the entrance of pathogen into body and the appearance of first symptoms
Prodomal Stage
Interval from the onset of nonspecific signs and symptoms to more specific symptoms
Illness Stage
Interval when the patient manifests signs and symptoms specific to type of infection
Convalescent Period
Interval when the acute symptoms of infection disappear and the body tries to replenish its resources and return to a state of hemostasis
6 Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs)
- Surgical site incision (SSI)
- Ventilator-associated Pneumonia (VAP)
- Central-line associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI)
- Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI)
- C. diff. associated infection (CDI)
- Influenza/respiratory viruses
Medical Asepsis
procedures used to reduce and prevent the spread of microorganisms
Surgical Asepsis
sterile technique used to eliminate all microorganisms
Principles for PPE
- assess risk of exposure and choose appropriate PPE
- make sure PPE fits
- avoid contaminating yourself and the environment when using PPE
- use “dirty to clean” concept when removing PPE
Key parts
any part of the equipment which comes into contact with procedural equipment or the patient
Key sites
any breaches in skin integrity which could be a portal of entry for microorganisms to colonize the patient
Chain of Transmission
Infectious Agent Reservoir Portal of exit Mode of Transmission Portal of entry Susceptible host
contact precautions
hand hygiene
gown
gloves
droplet precautions
hand hygiene (within 2 meters) mask with eye protection gown gloves
airborne precautions
door and windows closed
N95 respirator
4 moments of hygiene
- before initial patient/environment contact
- before aseptic procedure
- after body fluid exposure risk
- after patient/environment contact
Benefits of alcohol-based hand rub
maintain skin integrity
prevents skin from drying
saves time
Aseptic Non-Touch Technique
techniques used to prevent contamination of key parts and key sites
Sterile
free of all microorganism
Aseptic
free from pathogenic organisms in sufficient numbers to cause infection
Clean
free from dirt, marks and stains
