MEDRADSC 2A03 - Infection Control

what are the four most common types of infectious microorganisms in the healthcare setting?

bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites

bacteria

unicellular organisms that reproduce through spore formation

viruses

small unicellular particles that transmit either DNA or RNA and require a host cell to survive

fungi

multicellular or unicellular organism that is typically found in a tropical, warm and moist setting

what are the two types of fungi?

yeasts and moulds

which type of fungi is multicellular?

mould

which type of fungi is unicellular?

yeast

what are the three common structural types of bacteria?

cocci, spirilia and baccili

cocci bacteria

round shaped bacteria

spirilia bacteria

spiral-shaped bacteria

bacilli bacteria

rod-shaped bacteria

what are some common bacteria found in the healthcare setting?

h, pylori, e. coli and streptococci

the influenza vaccine prevents acquisition of the virus and transmission in nearly _____% of the population that receives it.

70

what are the two classifications of parasites?

protozoa and helminths

protozoa

complex unicellular organisms that move by action of cilia

helminths

parasitic worms commonly found in the intestinal tract

universal precautions

a set of strategies to prevent the transmission of blood-borne pathogens

what bodily fluids were included in universal precautions?

blood, CSF, pleural fluid and amniotic fluid

what does universal precautions assume about all patients?

all patients must be assumed to be infectious for blood-borne diseases

standard precautions

set of guidelines, like universal precautions, but are more inclusive to include virtually all body fluids

routine practices

a combination of standards set out by universal and standard precautions

what are the five major components of routine practices?

risk assessment, hand hygiene, PPE, environmental controls and administrative controls

nosocomial infection

an infection acquired in the course of medical care

where do most nosocomial infections occur?

acute care settings

what is one of the most common bacterial infections that can be contracted while taking antibiotics?

C difficile

what are the four most common nosocomial infections?

methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant enterococcus and C difficilie

what are the 6 interrelated elements in the chain of infection?

1. Microorganism

2. Reservoir

3. Exit from source

4. Means of transmission

5. Susceptible host

6. Portal of entry to host

exogenous infection

an infection caused by microorganisms not classified as normal flora

endogenous infection

an infection caused by microorganisms that are normal flora which travel to an area they are not normal flora or there is an abundance of them

what are the two most common sites for a nosocomial infection?

blood and urinary tract

what are the sterile areas of the body?

brain, bone, heart, blood and vasculature

virion

complete infectious virus particle containing a central nucleoid

what are the four stages of infection?

incubation, prodromal, full disease and convalescent

what type of virus is HIV?

retrovirus

which hepatitis viruses are transmitted by fecal-oral route?

A & E

which hepatitis viruses are transmitted via blood and body fluid contact?

B, C & D

which hepatitis virus is most common amongst HCWs?

hepatitis B

what are the five antibiotic-resistant bacteria of concern to HCWs?

1. MRSA 2. VRSA 3. VRE 4. Fungemia and bacteremia 5. C difficile

isolation technique

the procedures encompassing isolation of a patient who poses a risk to other patients and HCWs in which they are separated from patients and additional safety barriers are introduced

reverse isolation technique

the procedures put in place for high-risk and immunocompromised patients in which visitors and HCWs undergo special precautions and where PPE to reduce the risk of the patient contracting infectious diseases

outline airborne isolation precautions

negative pressure ventilation, door closed and private room for patient, HCWs wear N95 respirators and patient wears surgical mask when being transported, standard precautions

outline droplet precautions

private room, door open or closed, HCWs and visitors maintain 3 metres distance or wear surgical mask, standard precautions

outline contact precautions

private room if proper requirements cannot be maintained, gloves for HCW, careful handling of everything to avoid cross-contamination, equipment remains in patient room and standard precautions

what is the number one means of transmission of microorganisms in the healthcare setting?

human hands

what are the four moments for hand hygiene for a HCW?

1. Before initial patient contact

2. After patient contact

3. Before aseptic procedure

4. After aseptic procedure/exposure

medical asepsis

the removal or destruction of as many microorganisms and spores possible

surgical asepsis

the removal and destruction of all microorganisms and their spores

what are the two types of isolation practices?

barrier(isolation) or reverse barrier (reverse isolation)

what are examples of airborne infectious diseases?

TB, smallpox, measles and SARS

what are examples of droplet infectious diseases?

influenze, rubella, pneumonias and meningococcal meningitis

what are the two types of contact in relation to contact precautions

direct and indirect contact

what are examples of contact infectious diseases?

wound infections, GI infections, hep A, herpes simplex, impetigo, abscesses, etc.

expanded precautions

precautions put into effect to protect the patient from becoming infected from others, includes very strict entry and exit procedures