Microbiology and Risk Factors for Transmission Flashcards
Risk factors facilitating transmission of microorganisms
What is the name of the model used to understand the infectious disease process?
The chain of infection (each link must be present in sequential order for infection to occur)
Which factors influence the transmissibility of an organism and its ability to cause disease?
-Virulence
-Pathogenicity
-Infectivity
-Duration of exposure
-Size of inoculum
-Population immunity
Define virulence
the ability to grow and multiply
Define pathogenicity
the ability to cause disease
define infectivity
the ability to enter tissues
define size of inoculum
The number of organisms needed to cause disease
List some examples of reservoirs
-Humans
-Animals
-Insects
-Food
-Environment (internal like inanimate objects and external like soil)
List some portals of exit
-respiratory
-gastrointestinal
-skin/integumentary
-natural disaster (earthquake)
-inanimate objects
-weather (wind or rain)
What is a portal of entry
Any opening from which an organism can enter
List examples of portals of entry
-indwelling urinary catheters
-intravascular devices
-ventilators
-contaminated food or water
-coughing
-dressing changes
List some anatomic/physiologic factors that render a host susceptible
-immunologic deficiencies
-trauma
-burns
-diabetes
-urinary retention
-age
-gender
List some medical intervention factors that influence host susceptibility
-surgical/invasive procedures
-staffing ratios
-length of stay
-medication
-experience and education of healthcare providers
-appropriate device cleaning
List some environmental factors that influence host susceptibility
-HH compliance
-barrier use
-contact with animals
-air handling systems
-plumbing
-population density
What are some situations where airborne transmission is possible?
-a patient with an airborne disease is not immediately isolated
-employee does not use appropriate respiratory protection
-healthcare worker has airborne disease and comes to work
-visitor has an airborne disease
-ventilation is inadequate and carries the disease to other places
-ventilation system is contaminated with infectious agents
List examples of direct contact
-contact occurs without appropriate barrier precautions
-PPE breaks
-HCP doesn’t recognize the need for PPE
-inadequate HH
What is a primary risk reduction strategy
Focusing on prevention and providing outcome surveillance data
What are 3 criteria used to cohort patietns?
- common risk factors (infants born during the same time frame)
- Common exposure to a communicable disease
- Prevention of contact between patients infected/colonized with an organism or those newly admitted/not infected
Define bioburden
the amount of bacteria present
List some activities that reduce bioburden
-wash from clean to less clean areas
-preoperative showering using antimicrobial soap
-washing with antimicrobial soaps
-active surveillance for organisms common in a facility
-good oral hygiene
-good genital hygiene
-good HH
-treatment of remote site infections prior to surgery
-smoking cessation/weight loss
what are some OHS policies that aid infection prevention
-immunizations
-restriction HCP working with communicable diseases
-assignment of patients to be cared for by HCP with immunity
-protocols for follow-up after employee exposure
what are some visitor guidelines that minimize the likelihood of disease transmission
-identify areas of the facility where visiting is allowed
-post precautions visitors must take if visiting an area in isolation
-teach respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette
-provide warning signs for exclusion of visitors with respiratory diseases
List patient factors that increase infection risk
-age
-poor nutrition status
-autoimmune
-malignant disorders
-diabetes
-burn wounds
-trauma
-human biome
-naive population status
-medical interventions (invasive devices)
-length of hospitalization
-exposure to antibiotics
-increased number of HCP examinations
what are the 4 patient conditions that influence care requirements?
- ability to ambulate
- mental alterness
- ability to perform ADLs
- need for assistance to maintain normal body functions
the Human Microbiome Project (HMP) indicated what?
That a patients normal body flora may increase their risk for normal infections