Topic 2: Infection Control Flashcards
What is a microorganism?
An organism which is too small to be seen without a microscope
What is a pathogenic microorganism?
A microorganism which can cause disease, especially in a susceptible host
Name the 4 major groups of microorganisms that cause disease.
- Bacteria
- Viruses
- Fungi
- Protozoa parasites
What bacteria causes strep throat?
streptococcus bacteria
91% of cervical cancer is caused by what virus
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
What are the two main types of fungi?
- Yeast (one celled)
- Molds (multi-celled)
What type of yeast causes thrush and vaginal infections?
Candida albicans
List the 6 things that form the Cycle of Infection.
- Pathogenic organism
- Reservoir of infection
- Portal of exit
- Means of transmission
- Portal of entry
- Susceptible host
List 3 factors that would make someone a susceptible host.
- Stress
- Decreased nutrition
- Decreased sleep (increased fatigue)
List 6 factors that would make the RT patient a more susceptible host.
- Age (infants and elderly)
- Nutritionally compromised
- Treatments (Chemo, RT, surgery)
- Comorbidities (Diabetes, COPD, Dementia)
- Invasive procedures (Catheters, IVS)
- Unvaccinated status
List the 3 major signs/symptoms of an infection
FIL
- Fever
- Lymph node swelling
- Inflammation
What is a nosocomial infection?
An infection that a patient acquires during his stay in hospital
List 6 things that can be done to reduce the risk of infection
- Handwashing
- Cleaning treatment surfaces
- Use of PPE
- Linen changes, paper waste disposal
- Increased immunity
- Stay home if ill
What is surgical asepsis?
The practice of eliminating all pathogenic microorganisms from a specific area
Critical items:
Used in normally sterile areas (eg. needles, scalpels)
Semi-critical items:
Do not penetrate the tissue but are inserted into body cavities (eg. endoscopes, laryngeal mirrors)
Non-critical items:
May touch skin (eg. gowns, bed linens, blood pressure cuffs)
List 5 ways of achieving sterilization.
- Heat (boiling/use of autoclave)
- Gas (eg. ethylene oxide)
- Ozone (O2 + H2O + Electricity)
- Radiation (Gamma radiation less than 10MV)
- Chemical disinfectants (eg. alcohol and zepepharine chloride)
List PPEs that can be found in a hospital
- Gloves
- Gowns
- Masks
- Eyewear
- Face shields
Name the functions of an Infection Control Committee
Investigate and monitor epidemics/pandemics
Resource role: make recommendations, maintain research, record stats, improve infections control
How to care for patients who are under isolation:
- Ensure the patient understands infections and the importance of isolation
- Patient should participate in care decisions when possible
- Use appt terminology (avoid “dirty”, “contaminated”
- Have a positive body language
- Don’t overdo it. Do what is required.
What is a bone marrow transplant?
A procedure that infuses healthy blood-forming stem cells , to replace damaged or diseased ones
Ways to reduce risk of infection for cancer patients
- Improve host defence
- Reduce exposure to pathogens
- Adequate rest and activity
- Coughing and deep breathing exercises
List the SHARPS that would be found in a hospital
Needles, scalpels, lancets, razor blades, scissors, metal wire, retractors, clamps, pins, staples, cutters.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Human Metapneumovirus, Parainfluenza virus, influenza adenovirus, coronavirus.
Duration and Comments:
Patients may have chronic respiratory symptoms and/or a post viral cough, which do not require maintenance or precautions
Mycobacterium tuberculosis:
Duration and Comments:
Until infectious TB is ruled out, for infected patients, until patient has received two weeks of effective therapy, and is improving clinically, and has three consecutive sputum smears negative for acid fast bacilli collected on consecutive days, 8-24 hrs apart. If multi-drug resistant TB; until sputum culture is negative
Chicken pox/Shingles - Varicella:
Duration and Comments:
If confirmed, until all lesions are dry
Clostridioides difficile (C-Diff):
Duration and Comments:
Until asymptomatic for at least 48 hours
Methicillin Resistant S. Aureus (MRSA)
Duration and Comments:
When asymptomatic, precautions are not required in long term care, prehospital and home care
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
If there is contact: Discontinue precautions based on resolution of respiratory symptoms or clinical improvement for 48 hours and not based on duration of treatment or negative laboratory results. Chronic respiratory symptoms or post viral cough do not require maintenance of precautions
