Outbreak Flashcards
Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI)
Infection caught when receiving healthcare in hospitals, care homes, doctors’ surgeries, health centres or at home
- Hospital acquired infection: infection acquired after being in hospital >48 hours
Most common HAI infection sites
- UTI
- Surgical site
- RTI
- Bloodstream
- GI
- Skin and soft tissue
Outbreak of an infection
2 or more cases of an infection linked in time and space
Prevention of outbreak
Infection Prevention and Control measures
Surveillance of outbreak
- Detect
- Identify
Local (lab, ward)
National
Infection chain
- Infectious agent
- Reservoir
- Point of exit
- Mode of transmission
- Point of entry
- Susceptible host
Infectious agent
Bacteria, virus, fungi, prion
Infectious agent: break the chain
- Diagnosis and treatment
- Antimicrobial stewardship
Reservoir
- Humans
- Environment
- Water and food
- Animals, insects and soil
Reservoir: break the chain
- Cleaning, disinfection, sterilisation
- Infection prevention policies
- Pest control
Portal of exit
- Blood
- Body fluids
- Skin scales/wounds
- Aerosols: coughing, sneezing
Portal of exit: break the chain
- Hand hygiene
- PPE
- Control of aerosols: respiratory etiquette
- Waste disposal
Mode of transmission
Contact: direct/indirect
- Inhalation and ingestion
Mode of transmission: break the chain
- Hand hygiene
- PPE
- Food safety
- Cleaning, disinfection, sterilisation
- Isolation
Portal of entry
- Broken skin/incisions
- Respiratory tract
- Mucous membranes: eye, mouth, intestinal
- Catheters and tubes
Portal of entry: break the chain
- Hand/personal hygiene
- PPE
- First aid
- Removal of catheters/tubes
Susceptible host
Any person, especially those receiving healthcare
- Underdeveloped/decreased immune system
- Drugs and tubes
Susceptible host: break the chain
- Immunisations
- Treat underlying disease
- Health insurance
- Patient education
Cleaning
Physical removal of organic material and decrease microbial load
- Low risk
- Intact skin contact: mattress
- Detergent and water. Drying important
Disinfection
Large reduction in microbe numbers, spores may remain
- Medium risk
- Mucous membrane contact: bed pan, endoscope
- Heat (pasteurisation, boiling), Chemical
Sterilisation
Removal/destruction of all microbes and spores
- High risk
- Surgical instruments
- Steam under pressure (autoclave), hot air oven, gas (ethylene dioxide) and ionising radiation
Droplet
- > 5 um
- 1m spread
- Fall to ground
Aerosol
- <5 um
- widespread
- In air
- More transmissible
