PPE Flashcards
what is an HAI?
infections acquired by patients during their care in healthcare settings
risks of acquiring HAI is greater when:
higher frequency of contact with providers
more intense and invasive care
higher comorbid burden
older age
compromised nutritional status
poor immunity
what are the three types of HAI?
iatrogenic
endogenous
exogenous
what is iatrogenic HAI?
infection occurs during a procedure
what is endogenous HAI?
results from an alteration/overgrowth of a patint’s flora
what is an exogenous HAI?
results from organisms outside the patient
what is an infection?
invasion of a susceptible host tissue by pathogens or microorganisms, which results in disease
what is colonization?
presence and growth of microorganisms within a host without tissue invasion or damage
what is a communicable disease?
the infectious process can readily transmit from one person to another
what are some defense systems we have in place to protect against infections?
intact skin
intact mucosa of nose/mouth
limited use of broad-spectrum antibiotics
intact blinking mechanism
normal urine acidity/flow
maintain normal acidity of gastric flora
what are some common modes of infection transmission?
droplets
blood/bodily fluids (direct)
feces/urine (direct)
vectors (mosquitoes)
equipment/medical devices (indirect)
healthcare providers hands (direct)
how do you perform hand hygiene with hand sanitizer or soap and water?
sanitizer - rub hands for 20 seconds
soap/water - wet hands, apply soap and rub for 20 seconds, rinse and dry with disposable towel
when would you use soap and water over hand sanitizer?
hands are visibly soiled
some conditions such as working with patients with c diff
what are the 5 moments of hand hygiene?
before touching patient
before cleaning/aseptic procedure
after body fluid exposure risk
after touching a patient
after touching patient surroundings
what is isolation?
separation and restriction of movement of ill persons with contagious diseases
what are some standard precautions that are applicable to all patients?
hand hygiene before/after seeing a patient
use gloves in physical contact with patient is anticipated
isolation gown if possibility of risk of body fluids splashing
wear surgical mask if provider is unwell with a respiratory infection
no artificial nails
what precaution is used when droplet nuclei are smaller than 5 microns?
airborne precaution
what should be utilized during airborne precaution?
patients placed in private rooms equipped with negative-pressure air flow (AIIR)
respiratory protection device may be required (N-95)
isolation gown and gloves
what precaution is used when droplet nuclei are larger than 5 microns?
droplet precaution
what are some characteristics of droplet precaution?
can be spread within 5 feet of patient
minimal patient transport
preferably in a private room, but can share with another patient if:
with curtain: 3 feet, without curtain: 6 feet
what are some common diagnoses that require droplet precaution?
ebola
pertussis (whooping cough)
flu
rhinovirus
pneumonia
strep
rubella
COVID
what precaution would you utilize when preventing infections that spread via direct or indirect contact with patient/belongings?
contact precautions
what are some diagnoses that require contact precautions?
MDROs
MRSA
Staph
VRE
CRE
ebola
norovirus
RSV
rotavirus
herpes
scabies
covid
what must be worn during droplet precaution?
mask
goggles/face shield
gown
gloves
