Infection Prevention and Control (IPC)

These flashcards encompass essential vocabulary and definitions related to Infection Prevention and Control, summarizing key concepts from the lecture.

Chain of Infection

Explains how an infection develops and spreads through six interconnected links: infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible host. Breaking any link disrupts disease transmission.

Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI)

Infections acquired during healthcare delivery that were not present at admission, often related to invasive procedures or devices. Susceptibility is increased in vulnerable clients (e.g., elderly, immunocompromised, those with chronic illnesses).

Antimicrobial Resistant Organism (ARO)

Microbes that survive despite antimicrobial treatments and complicate treatment, requiring strict infection control.

Medical Asepsis

Reduces the number and spread of pathogens through clean techniques and practices like hand hygiene, cleaning surfaces, and wearing gloves. Aims to limit the growth and spread of microorganisms.

Surgical Asepsis

Eliminates all microorganisms, including spores, from an area or object. Involves sterile procedures, sterile fields, and the use of sterile instruments and attire. Essential for invasive procedures to prevent infection.

Transient Micro-organisms

Temporarily colonize skin and are removed by hygiene.

Resident Micro-organisms

Permanently reside on or in the body, primarily on the skin, forming part of the body's normal flora. They provide a protective barrier by competing with pathogenic organisms and stimulating immune responses, helping the body protect itself against infection.

Modes of Transmission

Ways infections spread, including direct contact (person-to-person), indirect contact (via contaminated objects), droplet spread (large respiratory droplets over short distances), and airborne spread (small airborne particles over longer distances).

Preventive Measures in Infection Control

Strategies to prevent infection spread, including thorough hand hygiene, appropriate use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), safe handling of equipment, proper waste disposal, and respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette.

Portal of Exit

How infectious agents leave the body, such as through respiratory secretions, blood, and bodily fluids.

Susceptible Host

An individual vulnerable to infection due to factors like age, immune status, chronic illnesses, and medical treatments.

Routine Precautions

Basic infection prevention practices used for all clients in healthcare settings to prevent transmission of recognized and unrecognized sources of infection. They include hand hygiene, appropriate PPE use, safe injection practices, and respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette.

Contact Precautions

Additional precautions used for clients with infections transmissible by direct or indirect contact (e.g., C. difficile, MRSA). Requires a gown, gloves, and often dedicated equipment or thorough disinfection of shared items upon leaving the room.

Droplet Precautions

Additional precautions used for clients with infections transmissible by large respiratory droplets (e.g., influenza, mumps). Requires a surgical mask when within 2 meters of the client, along with routine precautions.

Airborne Precautions

Additional precautions used for clients with infections transmissible by small airborne particles that remain suspended in the air (e.g., tuberculosis, measles, varicella). Requires an N95 respirator or higher, and placing the client in a private, negative pressure room.

COVID-19 Precautions

Involve a combination of droplet and contact precautions, with airborne precautions for aerosol-generating medical procedures. Requires a medical mask (or N95 for certain procedures), eye protection, gown, and gloves for client care.

Psychological effects of isolation

Clients in isolation may experience feelings of loneliness, anxiety, depression, sensory deprivation, and a sense of stigmatization or rejection due to limited social interaction and perceived threat to others. Nurses can mitigate these effects through frequent communication, explaining the rationale for precautions, providing diversional activities, and addressing emotional concerns.

Risk assessment for isolation decision-making

A systematic process involving evaluating the likelihood of infection transmission and the severity of potential harm to determine the appropriate level of precautions. Considers factors like client diagnosis, symptoms, procedures, and the environment.

Role of the clinical judgment model in infection prevention

Guides nurses in making informed decisions about infection prevention by integrating evidence-based practice, clinical expertise, and client values/context to determine appropriate strategies for individual client care and outbreak management.