Patient Care (test 2) Flashcards
What is a health care associated infection (aka nosocomial infection)?
-infection acquired during a patient’s stay in the healthcare environment, that was not present at the time of administration
What can a nosocomial infection lead to?
- increased length of stay
- increased wait times
- increased morbidity and mortality
- increased # of antibiotic resistant organisms
- decreased confidence in the healthcare system
What are routine practices?
-infection control measures that are used with every patient, during any/every type of care
What are routine practices used to prevent, and how?
-control and transmission of infections
- screening
- assessing the risk of infection before every patient encounter
- performing hand hygiene at the correct times
- wearing appropriate PPE
- environmental and administrative controls
If a patient has no signs/symptoms of infection, routine practices so not need to be used. T of F?
-false
PPE
-equipment that you wear to help prevent the transmission of infectious agents between staff and patient
What does choice of PPE depend on?
-the risk assessment that is to be done before every patient interaction
Gloves
Used whenever there is possibility of coming in contact with:
- tissue, blood, body fluids
- non intact skin
- mucous membranes
- soiled equipment or surfaces
- using cleaning chemicals
Gowns
-used when you anticipate that your care activity may contaminate your clothing
Yellow Gowns
-most common
Blue Gowns
-used for chemo
Masks and Eye Protection
- used when it is anticipated that your care activity may generate splashes or sprays of blood/body fluids
- also when within 2 m of a coughing patient
- must wear during high risk (aerosol generating) respiratory procedures regardless of whether or not the patient has symptoms of infection
What are examples of when to use a mask and eye protection?
- use of bag valve mask
- endotracheal intubation
- thoracostomy
- bronchoscopy/endoscopy
- tracheostomy suctioning/replacement
When do we wear an N95?
-airborne diseases
N95 Mask
- specifically fit to the structure of face
- tight seal that prevents any droplets from entering respiratory system
When a patient is not on isolation precautions, but requires oral airway suctioning, what PPE do you wear?
- gloves
- gown
- fluid resistant mask
- eye protection
Alcohol Based Hand Rub vs. Soap and Water
ABHR:
- more effective (99.9% of germs removed after 15s)
- faster (15s)
- easier on skin
Soap and Water:
- less effective (99% of germs removed after 25s)
- longer (20 to 25s)
- dries out skin
When to Use ABHR
-when hands are not visibly soiled
When to Use Soap and Water
- visibly soiled hands (blood, body fluids, dirt)
- exposure to spore forming bacteria
- after the washroom
how can we reduce dryness and irritation?
- use warm (not hot) water
- rinse thoroughly
- pat dry (don’t rub)
- use facility provided lotion
- protect hands from chemicals (gloves when cleaning)
Factors Impacting Hand Hygiene
- skin condition
- keep nails short and clean
- remove rings, bracelets, watches, etc.
- no fake nails
- no chipped nail polish
- push sleeves up
Patient Zone vs. Healthcare Zone
Patient Zone: everything in immediate proximity to the patient
Healthcare Zone: everything outside the patient zone
4 Moments of Hand Hygiene
1) before initial patient/patient environment contact
2) before aseptic procedure
3) after body fluid exposure risk
4) after patient/patient environment contact
What is the most common mode of transmission of infection organisms in a hospital setting?
-contaminated hands of healthcare workers
