ch 7 asepsis and infection control

Aseptic Technique

Methods used to stop the growth and reproduction of microorganisms to prevent infection.

Father of Aseptic Technique

Joseph Lister.

Goal of Infection Prevention

Achieve asepsis (absence of pathogenic microorganisms).

Health Care-Associated Infection (HAI)

An infection that develops during a patient's stay in a health care facility.

Community-Acquired Infection

An infection acquired outside of a health care facility.

Medical Asepsis

Clean technique that inhibits the growth and transmission of pathogens.

Examples of Medical Asepsis

Hand hygiene, changing linens, routine patient care.

Surgical Asepsis

Sterile technique that destroys all microorganisms and spores.

Examples of Surgical Asepsis

Operating room procedures, catheter insertion, sterile wound care, injections.

Chain of Infection

The six steps required for an infection to spread.

6 Links of the Chain of Infection

Infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, susceptible host.

Infectious Agent

A microorganism capable of causing disease.

Pathogen

A disease-causing microorganism.

Reservoir

The place where microorganisms live and multiply.

Portal of Exit

The path by which pathogens leave the reservoir.

Mode of Transmission

How pathogens spread from one place to another.

Portal of Entry

The route pathogens use to enter a susceptible host.

Susceptible Host

A person who cannot effectively resist infection.

Bacteria

Single-celled microorganisms that may cause disease.

Aerobic Bacteria

Bacteria that require oxygen to grow.

Anaerobic Bacteria

Bacteria that grow without oxygen.

Bacterial Spores

Highly resistant forms of bacteria that survive harsh conditions.

Capsule (Bacteria)

Protective layer that helps bacteria resist antibiotics.

Gram Stain

Test used to identify bacteria as gram-positive or gram-negative.

Viruses

The smallest infectious agents that require host cells to reproduce.

Do Antibiotics Treat Viruses?

No.

Viral Treatment

Usually symptom management; some require antiviral medications.

Fungi

Yeasts and molds that can cause infections.

Common Fungal Infection Sites

Skin, hair, nails, and mucous membranes.

Protozoa

Single-celled parasites that may infect the GI, GU, respiratory, or circulatory systems.

Example of Protozoal Disease

Malaria.

Common Reservoirs

Humans, animals, water, soil, contaminated surfaces.

Common Portals of Exit

Respiratory secretions, blood, body fluids, open wounds.

Types of Transmission

Contact, droplet, airborne, vector, fomites.

Fomite

An object that carries infectious microorganisms.

Common Portals of Entry

Mucous membranes, respiratory tract, urinary tract, broken skin.

Factors Increasing Susceptibility

Age, chronic illness, immunosuppressants, stress, fatigue, poor nutrition.

Common HAIs

Surgical site infections, UTIs, pneumonia, bloodstream infections.

Role of Infection Control Nurse

Monitors infections and develops infection prevention practices.

Occupational Health Service

Protects healthcare workers and patients through infection prevention.

Hepatitis B Vaccine Requirement

Employers must provide it to workers at risk for occupational exposure.

Needlestick Injury

Response

Most Common Infection from Needlesticks

Hepatitis B.

Standard Precautions

Practices used with all patients to prevent disease transmission.

When to Perform Hand Hygiene

Before and after patient contact, after contaminated items, and when hands are visibly soiled.

How Long Should You Wash Hands?

15–20 seconds.

When Can Alcohol Hand Sanitizer Be Used?

When hands are not visibly dirty.

Standard Precautions Apply To

Blood, body fluids except sweat, nonintact skin, and mucous membranes.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection used to reduce exposure.

Sharps Safety

Never recap needles; dispose of them in approved sharps containers.

Preventing Cross-Contamination

Provide personal care items, teach hand hygiene, separate contaminated equipment.

Transmission-Based Precautions

Additional precautions for patients with known or suspected infections.

Three Types of Transmission-Based Precautions

Airborne, Droplet, Contact.

Airborne Precautions

Used for infections spread by tiny particles that remain suspended in the air.

Diseases Requiring Airborne Precautions

Measles, tuberculosis, COVID-19, chickenpox.

Airborne Isolation Room

Negative-pressure room with door kept closed.

Respirator Required for Airborne Precautions

N95 respirator or PAPR.

Fit Test

Determines correct respirator size and seal.

Fit Check

Performed every time a respirator is worn.

Droplet Precautions

Used for infections spread by large respiratory droplets.

Examples Requiring Droplet Precautions

Meningitis, pneumonia caused by Haemophilus influenzae or Neisseria meningitidis.

Contact Precautions

Used for infections spread through direct or indirect contact.

Diseases Requiring Contact Precautions

C. difficile, RSV, Hepatitis A, E. coli O157:H7, herpes simplex.

Cleaning

Removal of dirt, debris, and organic matter.

Disinfection

Process that destroys microorganisms but not spores.

Sterilization

Process that destroys all microorganisms, including spores.

Antiseptics

Agents that inhibit microorganism growth and are safe for human tissue.

Disinfectants

Chemicals used on inanimate objects to kill microorganisms.

Examples of Antiseptics

Alcohol and chlorhexidine (CHG).

Examples of Sterile Procedures

Urinary catheterization and sterile dressing changes.

Sterile Body Areas

Blood, cerebrospinal fluid, internal organs, and bone.

Sterile Technique Rule

Sterile only touches sterile.

If Sterile Touches Nonsterile

It becomes contaminated.

Requirements for Sterile Packages

Intact, unopened, dry, and undamaged.

Where Should Sterile Items Be Kept?

In sight and above waist level.

What Contaminates a Sterile Field?

Turning away, reaching over it, moisture, touching nonsterile objects.

Moisture and Sterility

Moisture contaminates sterile items because microorganisms travel through wet surfaces.

Gravity Rule in Sterile Technique

Fluids flow downward; dirty fluid contaminates sterile surfaces.

Sterile Field Border

The outer 1-inch border is considered contaminated.

Purpose of Infection Prevention

Protect patients, healthcare workers, and reduce spread of infection.

Why Are Hospitalized Patients at Higher Risk?

Illness, weakened immunity, invasive procedures, and exposure to pathogens.

Most Important Method to Break the Chain of Infection

Hand hygiene.