Week 3 C.diff Flashcards
Decontamination
occurs prior to sterilization doesn’t remove microbes but removes chemicals, radioactivity to make safe to handle
Sterilization
destroys all living organisms, viruses, and endospores so they are no longer able to reproduce
Disinfectant
reduce organisms to a low enough level that disease is unlikely; inanimate objects since often too toxic to use on human tissues
Antiseptic
microbicide safe to use on human tissue
Sanitizer
decrease number of microbes to a safe level but doesn’t eliminate
Aseptic
procedure performed under sterile conditions
Factors effecting sterilization
Concentration of microbe or chemical
Time over which the agent is applied
Temperature (higher temp. takes less time)
Type of organism
Material bearing the microorganism (dirt)
May affect normal flora
Methods of disinfection and sterilization
Hydrogen Peroxide, bleach, glutaraldehyde, boiling, autoclave, radiation
How is C. diff Transmitted?
spores transmitted fecal-oral route and hospital workers (nosocomial) and devices (fomite) may be intermediaries
- ingestion of endospores
- Increase in incidence and severity possibly due to the emergence of more virulent strains like B1/NAP1/027, which produce more toxin as well as binary toxin.
What are risk Factors for CDIFF?
Taking an antimicrobial or antineoplastic (anticancer)
- Antibiotics diminish healthy bacteria allowing C. diff to multiply and begin producing toxins
- Gastric acid suppression- proton pump inhibitor
- Hospitalization (one of most common nosocomial infection)
- Immunocompromised or elderly individuals
What are the symptoms with CDiFF?
Present with fever, abdominal pain, watery diarrhea, and dehydration
Diarrhea is a key clinical feature- 3 or more loose stools for 1-2 days with no blood present
