NHA Review: Infection Control & Safety

Microorganisms that live in or on the human body without causing disease

nonpathogens/ normal flora

microorganisms that are capable of causing disease by invading the body and damaging tissues

Pathogens

single-celled organisms that can survive on their own and are classified by their shape (cocci, bacilli, spirilla)

Bacteria

Strep Throat or UTIs

bacteria

Smaller than bacteria, they are not alive on their own and require a living host cell to reproduce

Viruses

Influenza, COVID 19

Viruses

Plant-like organisms like molds or yeasts

Fungi

Athletes foot, ringworm, candida (yeast) infections

fungi

single-celled or mutli-celled organisms that live in or on a host causing disease

Protozoa/ Parasites

Malaria and lice

Protozoa/ parasites

Specific conditions that pathogens thrive in

warm, moist, dark, and neutral pH

Chain of Infection

infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, portal of entry, susceptible host

Physical contact between an infected person and a susceptible host, like touching or kissing

Direct Contact

When a host touches a contaminated inanimate objection (fomite), like a doornob, medical instrument, and then touches their mouth, nose or eyes

Indirect contact

Large, heavy particles generated by coughing, sneezing, or talking traveling less than 3 feet (influenza)

Droplet transmission

tiny, lightweight particles that remain suspended in the air for long periods and can travel through ventilation systems (Measles and TB)

Airborne transmission

Living organisms usually insects or mosquitoes or tics that carry pathogens from one host to another (lyme disease from tics, west nile virus from mosquitoes)

Vector-Borne transmission

The body’s protective response

inflammation

the invasion of pathogens

infection

rapid onset, short duration (common cold, flu)

Acute infection

slow onset, long duration, may last a lifetime (Hepatitis B, HIV)

Chronic infection

virus hides in the body with no symptoms and can get worse later in life

Latent Infection

CDC’s precautions for only blood

universal precautions

CDC’s precautions for moist body substances

body substance isolation

All body fluids, non-intact skin, mucous membranes, (not sweat), should be treated as potentially infectious

standard precautions

When should the hepatitis B vaccine be offered when starting a job?

10 days

Method that mechanically removes spores and heavy organic material

Hand washing

When will an alcohol handsanitizer not kill the spores?

C. diff

Three most important factors of handwashing?

friction, warm water, soap

percent alcohol in alcohol-based hand rubs

60%

Donning PPE

gown, mark, goggles, gloves

Doffing PPE

gloves, goggles, gown, mask, wash hands

reduces/limits the number of pathogens

medical asepsis

eliminates all pathogens and spores

surgical asepsis

first step of the cleaning hierarchy. it removes visible soil and lowers microbial counts by using soap, water, friction, and enzymatic detergents.

Sanitization

Step 2 of the cleaning hierarchy that destroys most pathogens (but not spores)

Disinfection

Common low-level disinfection agent

1:10 bleach solution

Step 3 of the cleaning hierarchy that destroys all microorganisms including spores by using heat, pressure, and gas

Sterilization

Steaming under pressure

autoclave

Sterilization temperature for the autoclave

250 F- 254 F (121 C)

Pressure PSi for the autoclave

15 pounds per square inch

How much time should wrapped instruments be in the autoclave?

20-30 minutes

How full can the sharps container be?

2/3 to ¾ full

Bags that are reserved for items that are soaked or saturated with blood or other potentially infectious material (OPIM)

Red biohazard bags

Bags were medical waste that is not saturated can be thrown away “squeeze and drip”

Regular trash

Technical document that provides comprehensive information about a chemical product

Safety Data Sheet

What is the most critical rule regarding the SDS?

Accessibility