Infection, Prevention, and Control

Infection

results when a pathogen invades tissues and begins growing within a host

Pathogen or Microorganisms

is any microorganism capable of producing an illness

Colonization

the presence and growth of microorganisms within a host but without tissue invasion or damage

Communicable disease

a infectious disease that can be transmitted directly from one person to another

Symptomatic

if the pathogens multiply and cause clinical signs and symptoms

Asymptomatic

if clinical signs and symptoms are not present

Chain of Infection

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

Potential to cause disease depends on

number of organisms, virulence (ability to produce disease), ability to enter and survive host, and susceptibility of host.

What is MRSA

methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus

What is VRSA

Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

What is VRE

vancomycin resistant enterococcus

What is C.Diff

Clostridium difficile

how do blood-borne pathogens spread?

spread through contaminated blood and bodily fluids

what is a reservoir?

A place where a pathogen survive and multiply (conductive environment)

conductive environment is?

a place where pathogens grow

A common reservoir?

the human body

portals of exit?

skin and mucous membranes, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary tract, urinary tract, reproductive tract, and blood

respiratory tract- pathogens spread through

coughing, sneezing, and talking

urinary tract- pathogens spread through

peeing

reproductive tract- pathogens spread through

unprotected sex

blood- pathogens spread through

cut or vomiting blood

Gastrointestinal Tract

The most contaminated (vomiting)

Breaking the chain- Respiratory

-Cover mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing--especially when performing dressing changes.

-Wear mask if suffering from URI

Breaking the chain- Urine, feces, and blood

-Wear gloves when handling blood and body fluids

-Wear gown and eyewear if chance of splashing

-Handle ALL lab specimens as if infectious-biohazard bag

Where do we have the most impact in breaking the chain?

mode of transmission

Contact transmissions?

direct, indirect, droplet, and airborne

direct transmission

person to person contact

indirect transmission

inaniment object (not disinfecting properly)

droplet transmission

larger, coughing, and sneezing

airborne transmission

smaller, stays suspended in the air longer

Vehicle transmission

contaminated food, water, or medicine spread pathogens

vector-borne transmission

insects (external-fly's)

(internal-biting insects)

Red bags are designed for?

items soiled with blood or bloody drainage

White or blue bags designed for?

soiled linen (urine and feces- even if bloong-tinged)

White or brown bags designed for?

normal trash

Yellow bags designed for?

chemotherapy agents

A susceptible host has to be?

immunocompromised

Immunocompromised is?

a person is not fully capable of an immune response to pathogens

Normal Flora is?

microorganisms that reside on the body or within the body (kills pathogens)

Our skin does what

keeps pathogens from invading (our first line of defense)

Our saliva does what

kills bacteria

Serous?

clear, plasma like

Sanguineous?

contains red blood cells (pink-tinged)

Purulent?

contains WBC's and bacteria (pus)

Incubation Period

interval between entrance of pathogen into body and appearance of first symptoms

Prodromal Stage

Interval from onset of nonspecific signs and symptoms to more specific symptoms (contagious in this stage)

Illness Stage

Interval when patient manifests signs and symptoms specific to type of infection

Convalescence Stage

Interval when acute symptoms of infection disappear (recovery could take days or months)

Localized infection

an infection that is limited to a specific location in the body

Systemic infection

an infection throughout the body

Patients at risk?

Age related populations, nutritional status, stress, disease processes, and patients in healthcare settings (HAI's)

Asepsis?

absence of pathogenic microorganisms

medical asepsis?

goal is to reduce or prevent the spread of microorganisms

Surgical asepsis?

goal is to eliminate ALL microorganisms from an object or area

Cover nose/mouth with a ______ during cough or sneeze?

tissue

Airborne precautions?

-used for droplet nuclei smaller than 5 microns

-private room

-negative pressure airflow of at least 6-12 exchanges per hour via HEPA filter (TB)

-mask or respiratory protection device or N95 respirator

Droplet precautions?

-used when droplets are larger than 5 microns; being within 3 feet of patient

-private room or cohort patients

-surgical mask or respirator

Contact precautions?

-required when there is direct and indirect patient and environmental contact

-private room

-gown

-gloves

-patient can leave room if infectious material is contained or covered, hands are clean, and wearing a clean gown

Protective precautions?

-used when protecting a patient from an infection

-private room

-positive pressure room with 12 or more air exchanges per hour

-HEPA filtration for incoming air

-Mask

-Gloves

-Gown

-no fresh flowers/plants