Hand Hygiene and Infection Control

Vocabulary practice flashcards based on nursing lecture notes regarding hand hygiene, infection prevention, surgical scrubbing, and patient safety guidelines.

Hand Hygiene

The most important and basic technique in preventing and controlling the transmission of infection.

Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs)

Infections occurring in U.S. hospitals each year, resulting in approximately $1.7\text{ million}$ cases, $99,000$ deaths, and an estimated $\$20\text{ billion}$ in healthcare costs.

Subungual areas

The areas underlying the fingernails which harbor high concentrations of bacteria.

Antiseptic hand rub

An alcohol-based waterless antiseptic containing emollients preferred for decontaminating hands that are not visibly soiled.

Standard Precautions

Safety guidelines applied to all nursing care activities, such as using clean gloves for contact with body fluids and nonintact skin.

Natural nail length

The standard requirement that natural fingernail tips should be no longer than $0.625\,cm$ ($1/4\text{ inch}$) long.

Artificial fingernails

Applications including extenders that should not be worn by health care personnel in contact with high-risk patients as they increase microbial load.

Handwashing duration

The process of using soap and water for at least $20\text{ seconds}$ when hands are visibly soiled, before eating, or after using the restroom.

Friction

The mechanical action of rubbing hands together during washing to loosen and remove dirt and transient bacteria.

Alcohol hand sanitizer concentration

The recommended alcohol-based product strength of at least $60\%$ for routine hand decontamination.

Clostridium Difficile (C-Diff) and Norovirus

Specific infectious microorganisms that require handwashing with soap and water because sanitizers do not effectively eliminate them.

Gram-negative bacilli

One of the types of bacteria found in higher counts underneath rings, along with enterobacteria and Staphylococcus aureus.

Surgical hand scrub

An antimicrobial procedure designed to remove resident microorganisms on all surfaces of hands and arms prior to a sterile procedure.

Purulent drainage

A baseline clinical finding or sign of surgical site infection, often accompanied by redness, heat, swelling, and pain.

Surgical site infection (SSI) timeline

The period following surgery, usually $2-3\text{ days}$, during which an infection of the operative site typically develops.

Kegel exercises

Specific exercises taught to patients like Mrs. Andrews to help manage and improve urinary incontinence.

Standard Soap

Antimicrobial or regular product that cleans by emulsifying fat and oil and lowering surface tension during handwashing.