Health Occupations Chapter 5 Invention Prevention and Control

Infection Prevention

Methods practiced in healthcare facilities to prevent and control the spread of disease.

Microorganism (Microbe)

A living organism so small that it can only be seen with a microscope.

Pathogens

Harmful microorganisms that invade the body and cause infection or disease.

Localized Infection

An infection limited to a specific area of the body, causing symptoms near the site.

Systemic Infection

An infection that enters the bloodstream and affects the entire body.

Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI)

An infection acquired in a healthcare facility while receiving medical care.

Signs of Localized Infection

Pain, redness, swelling, pus, fluid drainage, and heat at the site.

Signs of Systemic Infection

Fever, chills, body aches, nausea, vomiting, weakness, headache, confusion, low blood pressure, or rapid breathing.

Chain of Infection

A six-link model describing how disease spreads from one host to another.

Causative Agent and which chain link

The disease-causing pathogen, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites (Chain Link 1).

Normal Flora

Microorganisms that live harmlessly in/on the body unless transferred to a different body part.

Reservoir and which chain link

The warm, dark, moist environment where a pathogen lives and multiplies (Chain Link 2).

Portal of Exit and which chain link

Any body opening that allows pathogens to leave an infected person, like the mouth, nose, or open wounds (Chain Link 3).

Mode of Transmission and which chain link

How a pathogen travels from host to host via contact, droplets, or air (Chain Link 4).

Direct Contact Transmission

Spread of germs by physically touching an infected person or their secretions.

Indirect Contact Transmission

Spread of germs by touching a contaminated object, like linens, tissues, or needles.

Standard Precautions

Infection control rules treating all blood, body fluids, non-intact skin, and mucous membranes as infected for every patient.

Body Fluids

Fluids like blood, saliva, urine, feces, vomit, pus, and semen (excludes sweat).

Transmission-Based Precautions

Extra infection controls added to Standard Precautions based on how a specific disease spreads.

Sharps

Sharp medical objects like needles and razor blades that must be placed in puncture-resistant biohazard containers.

Multidrug-Resistant Organisms (MDROs)

Bacteria resistant to one or more antibiotics commonly used for treatment, like MRSA and VRE.

Airborne Precautions

Controls for airborne germs that float long distances; requires an N95 mask and negative-pressure room.

Droplet Precautions

Controls for germs spread through large droplets traveling up to 6 feet; requires a face mask.

Contact Precautions

Controls for germs spread by direct/indirect touch; requires gloves, gown, isolated room, and dedicated equipment.

Isolate

To keep a patient or object separate from others to prevent infection spread.

Respiratory Hygiene / Cough Etiquette

Infection rules to stop respiratory germs, including covering coughs, disposing tissues, and wearing masks.

Epidemic

A disease outbreak affecting a large number of people in a specific geographic area.

Pandemic

A global disease outbreak that spreads across multiple countries or continents.

Endemic

A disease that is constantly present in a specific region or population at expected levels.

Contact Time

The required amount of time a disinfectant must remain wet on a surface to kill pathogens.

Sterilization

A cleaning process using intense heat or chemicals to destroy all microorganisms, including spores.

Autoclave

A high-pressure steam machine used to sterilize medical instruments.

Handling Soiled Linen

Fold dirty areas inward, keep away from uniform, do not shake, and bag immediately at point of origin.

CRE (Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae)

Antibiotic-resistant intestinal bacteria that can cause severe, life-threatening infections.

Clostridioides difficile (C. diff)

Spore-forming gut bacteria causing severe diarrhea; resistant to alcohol sanitizer and requires soap and water.

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)

A federal agency that creates regulations to protect workers from job hazards, including infections.

CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

A federal health agency that provides disease prevention guidelines for healthcare workers.