Asepsis and Infection Control (25)

Aerobic

bacteria that require oxygen to live and grow

Airborne transmission

spreading of microorganisms when an infected host coughs, sneezes, or talks, or when the organism becomes attached to dust particles

Anaerobic

capable of living without oxygen

Antibody

immunoglobulin produced by the body in response to a specific antigen

Antigen

foreign material capable of inducing a specific immune response

Antimicrobials

antibacterial agent that kills bacteria or suppresses their growth

Asepsis

absence of disease-producing microorganisms; using methods to prevent infection

Bacteria

the most significant and most commonly observed infection-causing agents

Bundles

evidence-based best practices that have proven positive outcomes when implemented together to prevent infection

Contact tracing

Direct contact

way for organisms to enter the body that involves proximity between the susceptible host and an infected person or a carrier, such as through touching, kissing, or sexual intercourse

Disinfection

process used to destroy microorganisms; destroys all pathogenic organisms except spores

Droplet transmission

transmission of particles greater than 5 mcm

Endemic

something that occurs with predictability in one specific region or population and can appear in a different geographical location

Endogenous

infection in which the causative organism comes from microbial life harbored within the person

Exogenous

infection in which the causative organism is acquired from outside the host

Fomite

any lifeless object or surface that can hold germs and pass them from one person to another

Fungi

plant-like organisms (molds and yeasts) that can cause infection

health care–associated infections (HAIs)

an infection that was not present on admission to a health care institution and develops during the course of treatment for other conditions (nosocomial)

Host

animal or person on or within which microorganisms live

Iatrogenic

infection that occurs as a result of a treatment or diagnostic procedure

indirect contact

personal contact with either a vector, a living creature that transmits an infectious agent to a human, usually an insect; or an inanimate object, called a fomite, such as equipment or countertops

Infection

disease state resulting from pathogens in or on the body

Isolation

protective procedure designed to prevent the transmission of specific microorganisms; also called protective aseptic techniques and barrier techniques

medical asepsis

practices designed to reduce the number and transfer of pathogens (clean technique)

Pandemics

Parasites

organism that lives on or in a host and relies on it for nourishment

Pathogens

disease-producing microorganism

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

gloves, gowns, masks, and protective eye gear designed to minimize or prevent the health care worker’s exposure to infectious material

Reservoir

natural habitat for the growth and multiplication of microorganisms

Sterilization

(1) the process by which all microorganisms, including spores, are destroyed; (2) surgical procedure performed to render a person infertile

Surgical asepsis

practices that render and keep objects and areas free from microorganisms; synonym for sterile technique

Vector

nonhuman carriers (mosquitoes, ticks, and lice) that transmit organisms from one host to another

Virulence

ability to produce disease

Virus

smallest of all microorganisms; can be seen only by using an electron microscope

Transmission-based Precautions

precautions used in addition to Standard Precautions for patients in hospitals who are suspected of being infected with pathogens that can be transmitted by airborne, droplet, or contact routes; these precautions encompass all the diseases or conditions previously listed in the disease-specific or category-specific classifications