Disease, Dialysis, and Infection Control

Flashcards on Disease, Dialysis, and Infection Control

Hand Hygiene

Washing hands frequently with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand sanitizer before and after contact with dialysis equipment or patients to reduce bacteria and spread of infections.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Wearing gloves, mask, apron, and eye protection when necessary to prevent the spread of germs.

Cleaning and Disinfection

Cleaning and disinfecting all dialysis equipment and surfaces properly to remove contaminants.

Dialysis Access Sites Care

Regularly checking dialysis access sites (fistulas, grafts, catheters) for signs of infections such as swelling, redness, or pus and reporting any concerns to the Registered Nurse.

Water Quality Control

Ensuring that the water used for dialysis is free from bacteria and other contaminants through regular monitoring and treatment.

Patient Education

Educating patients and their families about infection prevention measures including proper hand hygiene and access site care.

Minimize Use Of Invasive Devices

Reducing the need for central venous catheters (CVCs) to lower the risk of catheter-associated bloodstream infections.

Renal Care Bundle

Structured approach to improving care for patients with kidney conditions such as renal failure, aiming to enhance patient outcomes by standardizing care and reducing variability.

CLABSI Care Bundle

Central line-associated bloodstream infections care bundles are sets of interrelated best practices used to reduce the risk of CLABSI in patients with renal failure, especially those undergoing dialysis, by focusing on prevention measures during central line insertion and maintenance.

Minimizing Central Line Use

Prioritizing vascular access methods like grafts and fistulas, choosing the appropriate catheter type and gauge, and removing the central line as soon as it's no longer needed.

Insertion Bundle Components

Performing thorough hand hygiene, using a full sterile barrier (including a surgical mask), cleaning the skin with an appropriate antiseptic (like chlorhexidine), and choosing an appropriate site for the central line (avoiding the femoral vein in adults).

Waste Management

Involves segregating contaminated waste, using single-use equipment, and decontaminating reusable items.

Sharps Waste

Needles and syringes, IV tubing, and other sharp medical equipment should be placed in designated puncture-resistant containers.

Biohazardous Waste

Items like bandages, dressings, and other materials that have come into contact with blood or bodily fluids should be placed in appropriate biohazard bags.

Non-Contaminated Waste

Materials like paper and plastic packaging should be separated and sent to appropriate recycling facilities.

Single Use Equipment

Equipment like dialysis filters, tubing, and some dialyzer components should be discarded after use.

Reusable Equipment

Equipment like tourniquets and certain dialyzer components should be thoroughly decontaminated between patients to prevent cross-contamination.

Sharps Disposal

Collected in designated puncture-resistant containers and then disposed of through a licensed medical waste disposal provider.

Contaminated Waste Disposal

May be incinerated or autoclaved to kill pathogens before disposal.

Hand Hygiene

Washing hands thoroughly with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer before and after touching patients, equipment, or contaminated surfaces.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Acts as a barrier to prevent the transfer of pathogens from patients to healthcare workers and vice versa, including gloves, masks, and eye protection (like goggles and face shields).