Nosocomial Infections Flashcards
what are nosocmial infections also known as?
healthcare associated infections or hospital acquired infections
what are hospital acquired infections?
infections which are acquired by patients during hospitalisation
when should an infection be considered hospital acquired?
within 48 hours of hospitalisation or within 30 days of discharge
what are common hospital acquired infections?
UTI pneumonia bloodstream infection SSIs infectious diarrhoea
how many infections has it been suggested that are preventable through infection control measures?
10-70%
what are 5 costs of hospital acquired infection?
client dissatisfaction longer hospitalisation (possibly at cost to practice) Higher morbidity rates Multidrug resistance transmission to humans
what are 6 potential routes of infection?
urinary catheters surgery IV catheters indwelling implants/devices feeding tubes contaminated kennels and equipment
what are the 2 types of urinary catheter?
indwelling or repeat placement
what is an example of an indwelling device/implant?
drains
What patients are more at risk of hospital acquired infection?
elderly young immunocompromised those with endocrine conditions (diabetes/cushings) those with multiple indwelling devices
what are UTIs gained from?
use of urinary catheters either repeated placement for samples or emptying the bladder.
Poor hygiene when placing/managing an indwelling urinary catheter
what must always done before any procedure involving urinary catheter?
hand wash
should sterile gloves be used for placing a catheter?
yes for both indwelling and temporary
why should the vulva/prepuce be cleaned with dilute iodine prior to catheter placement?
mucous membranes so very sensitive but must be clean before catheter can be placed
what system should be used if an indwelling catheter is used?
closed - collection bag attached to the catheter at all times
to avoid UTI, what should be avoided where possible?
catheterisation or repeated catheterisation
when should antibiotics only be given to patients with a catheter?
if they are showing outward signs of of UTI - to reduce antibiotic resistance
what are the signs of a UTI?
pyrexia, change in urine colour, blood in urine
why is pneumonia less common in animals than in humans?
lesser use of mechanical ventilation and less totally recumbent patients
what can animals get pneumonia from?
endotracheal tubes or anesthetic circuits
what can be done to reduce the risk of pneumonia from endotracheal tubes or anesthetic circuits?
SOP for cleaning of ET tubes must be followed
heavily soiled ET tubes and circuits should be disposed of
in what type of animal is aspiration pneumonia a problem?
small animals
what causes aspiration pneumonia?
contents of regurgitation/vomit are inhaled
how can aspiration pneumonia be avoided?
starve patients before procedures requiring sedation or GA
secure airway ASAP once patient is under GA
how can a patient be managed during GA induction if they are at high risk for aspiration pneumonia?
head is kept raised until ET tube is correctly placed with cuff inflated
what are bloodstream infections associated with?
IV catheters, either peripheral or central
what are bloodstream infections mainly due to?
poor skin prep, lack of hand hygiene and contamination of products used