Session 8 - Infection Prevention Flashcards
What are the 3 methods through which infection can spread?
- From source (e.g. food/water, environmental, animals) to person
- From person to person directly e.g. influenza, norovirus
- From person to person indirectly via a vector, e.g. malaria and mosquitos
Define an endemic disease
The usual background rate of infection
Define an outbreak of a disease
Two or more cases linked in time and space. More cases than you would usually expect in one area.
Define an epidemic
A rate of infection greater than the usual background rate
Define a pandemic
Very high rate of infection spreading across many regions, countries, continents.
How do antibiotic resistant pathogens impact empirical use of antibiotics?
A resistant pathogen is more likely to be treated inappropriately empirically as the first line antibiotic is not useful.
How do antibiotic resistant pathogens impact prophylaxis?
o All major surgery benefits from prophylaxis to prevent surgical site infections. Loss of prophylaxis makes this more dangerous
o Prophylaxis also used for chemotherapy as it wipes out immune cells.
Define multi drug resistance
Non susceptibility to at least one agent in 3 or more antimicrobial categories
Define extensively drug resistant
non susceptibility to at least one agent in all but 2 or fewer antimicrobial categories
Define pan resistance
non susceptibility to all agents in all antimicrobial categories.
What 3 persuasive methods can you use to prevent antibiotic resistance?
Education, audits and reminders
What 2 restrictive methods can you use to prevent antibiotic resistance?
Prior authorisation, formulary restriction (restricting list of medicines available)
