Module 3: Asepsis, Infection Control, Techniques Flashcards
Difference between Aspesis and Sterile
Asepsis means free of harmful microorganisms, but Sterile means free of ALL microorganisms
Chain of Infection
-infection steps that can be interrupted to significantly minimize infection chance
Infectious Agent –> Reservoir –> Portal of Exit –> Mean of Transmission–> Portals of Entry –> Susceptible Host
3 Means of Transmission
- contact
- Inhalation
- Ingestion
The smallest infectious agents capable of causing an infection are …
virus
Stages of Infection
- Incubation Period
- Prodromal Stage
- Full Stage of Illness
- Covalescenct Period
Incubation Period
- time between invasion and appearance of symptoms of infection (ex: cold is 2 day incubation)
- does not necessarily mean they are contagious but often are
Prodromal Stage
- persons most infectious stage where they do not realize they are contagious, but early signs and symptoms are present that are vague/nonspecific
Full Stage of Illness
- Also called Acute Phase
- specific S/S present indicative of local or system infection
Covalescenct Period
- recovery period
- still can be infectious
Most infectious stage ?
Prodromal
Local infection
occurring in one body area
Systemic infection
symptoms manifested throughout the entire body
Most contagious infectious disease?
Measles
Information on Measles
- Agent - Paramyxovirus
- Reservoir - Human
- Portal of Exit - Aerosol
- Mode of transmission - inhalation
- portals of entry - respiratory
- susceptible host - non-immunized persons
- Incubation - 10 to 12 dats with rash in 14 days
- Prodromal - 2-4 days (fever, cough, rash, on mucus membranes)
- full Stage - rash at 14 days post exposure lasting 5-6 days
- Covalescence - recovery 10-14 days after rash develops
Nosocomial Infections
- infection occuring while client is getting health care (ex: UTI from catheter)
Types of Nosocomial infections?
- Exogenous
- Endogenous
- Iatrogenic
Exogenous Nosocomial infection
causative organism is from people / outside
Endogenous Nosocomial infection
causative organism comes from microbial life within the person (natural flora)
Iatrogenic Nosocomial infection
results from a treatment or diagnostic procedure (IV line, urinary catheter)
Most common sites of Nosocomial infections
- urinary tract
- respiratory tract
- surgical wounds
- traumatic wounds (like burns)
- bloodstream
The Most effective prevention method of nosocomial infections?
Hand Washing
Information to remember when washing hands
- no fake nails/polish
- clean under nails, between fingers, back of hands, 1 inch above wrist
- keep skin intact and moisturized to prevent drying out and breaking allowing infection
- you can use gel based hand hygiene agents EXCEPT when hands are soiled or dealing with C Diff spores
Information to keep in mind when using PPE
- Assess the risk of exposure outside the room to choose PPE, and do it before health care activity
- practice respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette and hand hygiene alongside PPE
Isolation and Barrier Techniques Used in Practice
- OHSA regulations (legally binding)
- CDC guidelines (not legally binding)
- Precautions (Standard/Universal, body substance/contact, airborne, droplet)
Universal Precautions
used with everyone, person is not necessarily infectious, but every health care worker associated with their care must treat all body fluids as though they are infectious
also called standard precautions
Body Substance/Contact Precautions
- OHSA regulation
- extension of universal precautions
- includes blood, blood tinged fluids, and not necessarily infectious things, feces, urine, oral secretions, wound secretions, emesis (vomit), and other body substances
- Do not bring gloves into the hallway
- wash hands BEFORE leaving patient room
- if you might have fluid contact, wear a gown or other PPE
MDRO
Multi drug Resistant Organism (MRSA,VRE,VRSA,ESBL)
Airborne Precautions
- small size infections spread through the air (like rubeola, varicella, and TB)
- patient goes into a pressure negative room
- staff use N95 respirators
- patients only leave rooms if absolutely necessarily
- patient needs to wear surgical mask if possible
Droplet Precautions
- large (>5 microns) particle droplets like rubeolla, mumps, diptheria, adenovirus, child/infant infections
- transport REQUIRES patient to wear mask
- social distancing (3 feet to 6 feet)
- mouth, nose, eye protection may be needed
Disturbing Discovered on Fabric Sanitation (Uniforms)
- 33% of staff do not launder at the correct temp
- tumble drying recommended
- some dont clean uniforms after each shift
- some clean uniforms with other clothing!!
- pockets and sleeves often are contaminated
- scrubs with antimicrobial properties DONT help
- ACS urges no public scrub wearing
- white coats give a professional look but harbor tons of pathogens
- white coats are rarely if ever washed
- MDRO is often carried back into patient care areas
1 in ___ Hospitalized Patients has at least 1 HAI
31
__% of patients had one or more HAI
3
What parts of worker uniforms increase rate of HAI?
- clothing (improper care/sanitation)
- jewelry (rings hold a very large bacterial load)
- watches (significantly higher (3x the amount) of bacteria is found on watches)
____ HAIs a year, ____ deaths due to HAIs
687,000 ; 72,000