WEEK7-Infection, prevention and control

Question 1

what is infection prevention

Answer 1

activities that intend to protect people from infections
an infection= body’s adverse response to the presence of a pathogen, disease-causing microorganism.
damage to tissues caused by infection= can either be limited site of infection (localized) or spread throughout the body .
sometimes a pathogen in or on the body may not lead to infection (known as colonisation)

Question 2

how many people a year get HCAI and what does hcai mean

Answer 2

300,000 patients a year in england get hcia.

a healthcare-associated infection (HCAI) is any infection acquired as a result of a healthcare-related intervention or an infection acquired during the course of healthcare that the patient may expect to be protected from.

Question 3

what is the care quality commission for England responsible for

Answer 3

ensuring that organisations meet required standards in the management of infection prevention and control

Question 4

what other 3 rules and regulations talk about infection, prevention and control

Answer 4

health and social care act (2008)
care quality commission
Health and safety at work act 1974

Question 5

whats the chain of infection

Answer 5

transmission of an infection is a complex process, involving a number of factors, l of these factors must be present.

Question 6

what are the 6 chain of infection

Answer 6

pathogen, reservoir, exit route, route of transmission, entry route, susceptible host

Question 7

how to get rid of pathogens

Answer 7

an infectious agent like bacterium, virus, fungus or parasite is needed.
link can be broken by cleaning, sterilisation of equipment and the treatment of the patient, using antibiotics for bacterial infections

Question 8

whats a reservoir

Answer 8

a place where the pathogen can live and replicate.
can include human body, animals, water and soil.
this link can be broken by cleaning the environment and removing stagnant water

Question 9

whats the exit route

Answer 9

a method for the pathogen to leave its reservoir. in humans this usually involves urine, faeces, vomit, sputum and like sneezing and coughing, asking a patient with tuberculosis to wear a mask would help break the chain

Question 10

what is the route of transmission

Answer 10

transmission can be direct, through touching, sexual intercourse and faecal- oral via ingestion.
transmission can also be in direct, contaminated bedding, clothing, blood, bodily fluids and hands of healthcare workers.
to break this chain, use hygienic hand washing

Question 11

what is entry route

Answer 11

includes the respiratory, gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts. also mucus membranes via the skin.
direct access to the blood= also possible if pathogen is inadvertently injected into the person.
to break this chain use a waterproof plaster on an open wound.

Question 12

what is a susceptible host

Answer 12

some people are more vulnerable to infection than others (like people with immune system due to old age)
others have natural defences like wounds, surgery and urinary catheters.
This chain can be broken by ensuring person has been vaccined and has personal hygiene

Question 13

what are the 7 actions that can be taken to reduce the risk of infection

Answer 13

hand hygiene, safe care of linen, management of care equipment, respiratory hygiene, personal protective equipment, safe waste disposal and management, occupational exposure and sharps management.

Question 14

why is management of equipment important and what is it

Answer 14

cleaning leads to effective decontamination and removes visible dirt, organic matter and reduces the presence of microorganisms

ensure to clean diagnostic equipment, ambulance floor, outside the ambulance and the ambulance internal surfaces (within patient reach)

to clean appropriately, use hot water or use detergent and sanitise wipes

Question 15

importance care of linen and what does it mean

Answer 15

after each patient contact replace the linen.
clean linen will be stored in the ambulance along with the hospital.
place dirty linen into a linen bag/white plastic bag that can be sealed ready for collection

Question 16

when to conduct hand washing

Answer 16

hand wash immediately before every episode of direct patient contact/care (including aseptic techniques)
immediately after every episode of direct patient contact of care
immediately after any exposure to bodily fluids

Question 17

how can respiratory hygiene be achieved

Answer 17

covering mouth and nose with single disposable tissues when coughing, sneezing, wiping or blowing noses.
These tissues should be disposed of appropriately immediately after use, followed by washing the hands

catch it, bin it and kill it

Question 18

what is ppe

Answer 18

personal protective equipment (PPE) is used to spread the infection to you, colleagues, patients and other members of public
your choice of ppe should be based on an assessment of the risk of transmission of infection
the amount of ppe required will vary from patient to patient

Question 19

when should gloves be used

Answer 19

when there’s a risk of contact with blood and/or bodily fluids
when sharp and or contaminated items are handled
if there’s likely to be contact with non-intact skin/ mucus membranes during contact with a patient

hand hygiene is required before and after wearing gloves

Question 20

ways to conduct waste disposal and management

Answer 20

injections:- sharps that are contaminated- put in yellow sharps bin
items/equipment for treating patients:- contaminated packages- put in orange waste receptacles
items/ equipment for treating patients:- uncontaminated packages= put in yellow and black stripped bag
waste packaging from treating a patient:- contaminated packaging carboard/plastic- put in orange bin
refuse/rubbish:- uncontaminated packaging and refuse/rubbish- put in black or clear bag

Question 21

whats aseptic techniques

Answer 21

aseptic techniques= a procedure thats performed in complete absence of micro-organisms.
be cautious when selecting the site/environment of preparation, clean and prepare the skin beforehand, use ppe and sterile equipment

Question 22

how do you conduct sharp safety

Answer 22

check package before use
keep sharps covered for as long as possible
immediately dispose of used sharps in yellow waste bin
once sharp is uncovered never re-sheath (put cap back over)
never leave sharp unattended
ensure you notify everyone that you hve sharp

Question 23

what to do if you get a sharps injury

Answer 23

bleed it
wash it
cover it
report it