Foundations of Physiotherapy

3 modes of bacteria/virus transfer

Contact (direct/indirect), airborne, droplet

What is MRSA?

A strain of bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics and spread quickly, making infections harder to treat

What is VRE?

Type of bacteria that is resistant to an antibiotic called vancomycin

Describe contact as a mode of transfer

direct contact is the physical transfer of organisms from one person or being to another and can be caused by touching such as herpes through sexual contact. Indirect contact is transmission via contaminated objects like unclean medical equipment

Describe droplet as a mode of transfer

Spread via large respiratory droplets like coughing and sneezing such as influenza, and don't stay in the air for too long

Describe airborne as a mode of transfer

particles that can linger in the air for extended periods of time and can travel longer distances like measles.

What is exogenous HAI?

infections caused by microorganisms originating outside the body such as other patients or healthcare workers

What is endogenous HAI?

infections caused by microorganisms that were already present in the patient's body

What are control strategies of contact transfer?

strict hand hygiene, wearing and changing gloves for different patients, disinfecting medical equipment, single patient in each room if possible or having separation.

What are control strategies of droplet transfer?

wearing surgical masks when close to patients, patients wearing masks when being transported

What are control strategies of airborne transfer?

Limiting patient movement, keeping door closed, proper room ventilation systems.