Week 6 - Infection Control in Healthcare settings UPDATED Flashcards
Define infection control
processes and precautions taken to control the spread of infection
What is the chain of infection
the cycle of which infection is continuously spread
1. infectious agent
2. Reservoir (water, food, soil, humans, animals)
3. Portal of exit
4. made of transmission (droplet, faecal-oral, vector-borne)
5. portal of entry (mouth, nose, skin cuts, eyes)
6. susceptible host (human)
What are the basic principles of effective control of microbial growth
- Physical Strategies
- Immunization
- Chemotherapeutic
what does it mean by physical strategies
sterilization and disinfection
What does it mean by immunization
Use of antigens from a specific microbe to generate a protective immune response
What does it mean by Chemotherapeutic
Use of drugs to kill or inhibit growth of microorganisms
What are the standard precautions in healthcare settings
Treat all patients as potentially infectious because of prodromal phase, asymptomatic carriers and transmission risk associated with certain procedures.
- hand hygiene
- use of PPE
- safe use and disposal of sharps
- routine environmental cleaning
What are the main methods used to destroy and inactivate microorganisms in heathcare settings
- Removal of microorganisms from the environment through - cleaning and disinfection
- Removal of organisms from patient care equipment through - cleaning, disinfection and/or sterilization
What sites need to be cleaned
- blood
- pus
- mucous
- grease
- dirt
What are methods which clean equipment
- automated washer
- ultrasonic bath
- manual
Methods of disinfection
- heat - boiling for 5 min
- liquids e.g. phenolic compounds, bleach, 70% alcohol
What makes bacteria harder to be disinfected
if the bacteria has
- spores (tough outer layer)
- gram negative (LPS acts as a protective barrier)
- non-enveloped (disinfectants target the lipid envelope)
- a large amount of bacteria
- contact time
- repeated exposure as it gains resistance
What are types of antiseptics
- alcohol e.g. skin wipes
- chlorhexidine (common)
- iodine-containing
What are the different levels of risk for care equipment
Critical
Semi-critical
Non-critical
What makes a piece of equipment classified as critical
If they penetrate sterile tissue, body cavity or bloodstream
How do you clean critical level equipment
Sterilisation
What are examples of critical risk equipment
surgical instruments, needles, periodontal scalers, implants
What is a semi critical level of risk item
an item which comes in contact with mucous membranes or non intact skin
How do you clean semi critical level risk items
single use
sterilization
high level chemical disinfection
Examples of semi critical level risk items
dental mouth mirrors
amalgam condensers
dental handpieces
What are non-critical level of risk items
items which only come in contact with intact skin
How do you clean non critical level risk items
cleaning
decontamination
Examples of non critical level risk items
x ray heads
bib chain
alginate spatula
protective eyewear
