IPC

Question 1

Describe, in order, the chain of infection.

Answer 1

Infectious agent- Micro-organism that causes infection.
Reservoir- where the infectious agent colonises
Portal of exit- how the micro-organism exits the reservoir
Mode of transmission- how the infectious agent goes from one site to another- direct or indirect.
Portal of entry- how the micro-organism enters the susceptible host.
Susceptible host- anyone

Question 2

How do you stop the spread of infection?

Answer 2

Must break at least one of the aspects of chain of infection

Via SICPs.

Question 3

Describe the Spaulding classification.

Answer 3

Critical- device contacts sterile tissues or the blood stream.
- Forceps, locators, elevators, ultrasonic tip.

Semi-critical- Device contacts mucous membranes or intact skin.
- dental handpieces

Non-critical- device comes into contact with intact skin
- Lightcure.

Question 4

Describe the direct and indirect transmission of infection.

Answer 4

Direct- from the hands of healthcare workers

Indirect- healthcare worker touches something with contaminated hands and then someone else comes along and touches that object or surface. Or equipment.surfaces that haven’t been properly disinfected.

Question 5

What are the 5 elements required for the physical removal of contamination?

Answer 5

Time
Detergency
Physical action
Temperature
Water

Question 6

How can you minimise the spread of aerosols?

Answer 6

High volume aspiration
Dental Dam
PPE
Good ventilation into the room

Question 7

What are the 5 moments of hand hygiene?

Answer 7

Before you touch the patient
Before an aseptic procedure
After a procedure or body fluid exposure
After touching a patient
After touching a patient’s surroundings

Question 8

What are the SICPs most relevant to dentistry?

Answer 8

Hand hygiene
PPE
Safe disposal of waste
Safe management of blood and bodily fluids
Safe management of the care environment
Safe management of care equipment
Respiratory and cough hygiene
Occupational safety: Prevention and exposure management

Question 9

How should blood and bodily fluids be disposed of?

Answer 9

Local policy used

Appropriate PPE should be worn- apron, mask, gloves and eye protection.

Cordon off the area

Organic matter removed using disposable absorbent towels- dispose in healthcare waste.

Apply appropriate granules or solution to disinfect the area- leave for required time.

Remove the granules with a scoop, dispose of granules in healthcare waste.

Area to be cleaned with detergent and water and dried with paper towels or air dried.

All waste disposed of in the healthcare waste.

Perform hand hygiene.

Question 10

What agents should be used when dealing with a blood spillage?

Answer 10

Sodium hypochlorite

Dichloroisocyanurate

Question 11

What is the contact time for chlorine releasing agents?

Answer 11

3 minutes- check manufacturers instructions.

Question 12

What concentration of chlorine releasing granules should be used for blood?

Answer 12

10,000 parts per million available chlorine.

Question 13

Give examples of waste disposed of in orange bags?

Answer 13

Gloves
Aprons
Face shield
Patient bib
Masks
Gauze
Dental dam
Floss
Rubber wedgets
Contaminated wrapping
Wipes

Question 14

Give examples of waste disposed of in black bags?

Answer 14

Paper towels
Paper
Uncontaminated instrument wrapping
Empty glove boxes

Question 15

What does ABHR not fight against?

Answer 15

Clostridium Difficile- GI infections.

Question 16

When must you perform liquid soap technique?

Answer 16

Hands are visible soiled or dirty.

Dealing with someone who has gastro-intestinal infection or their environment.

During outbreaks of diarrhoeal infection

If your hands feel sticky or gritty from frequently using alcohol stuff.

Question 17

What is the difference between cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation?

Answer 17

Cleaning- physical removal of dirt, blood, vomit, etc, by use of Ana appropriate detergent.

Disinfection- Use of a chemical detergent to reduce the number of micro-organisms present

Sterilisation- Make an object free from micro-organisms.

Question 18

What are the 4 different categories of care equipment?

Answer 18

Single use- needles, burs, matrix band
Single patient use- oxygen max
Reusable invasive- probe, elevator, luxator, forceps
Reusable non-invasive- light cure, dental chair

Question 19

What type of waste is amalgam?

Answer 19

Special hazardous waste

Question 20

What is best practice for removal of waste bags?

Answer 20

No more than 3/4 full
Keep close to working area
Assess need for PPE
Never use for sharps
Never re-open clinical waste bags

Question 21

What is the best practice for removal of sharps boxes?

Answer 21

Follow manufacturers instructions for safe assembly of sharps box
Keep close to the point of use
Do not re-open once closed
Do not retrieve anything once placed inside
Do not fill above the manufacturers line

Be located at a height that is useful for the operator
Away from children
Away from the public
Removed after 3 months, even if not full.
Removed when box reaches the maximum line.

Question 22

How should a clinical waste bag be tied together?

Answer 22

Swan neck

Question 23

How can you get exposed to blood or bodily fluids?

Answer 23

Percutaneous injury- i.e. needle
Mucous membranes- i.e. mouth or eyes
Break in the skin

Question 24

How far car respiratory secretions reach?

Answer 24

Coughing- 2 metres
Sneezing- 5 metres