Unit one

cycle of infection

-Pathogen

-Reservoir

- portal of exit

-mode of transmission

-portal of entry

-susceptible host

Vector

An animal that transmits infectious agents from one host to another. Ex. tick, mosquito, fly.

fomite

A physical object that serves to transmit an infectious agent from person to person.

what is a direct method of spreading germs?

-droplet (coughing and sneezing)

-direct contact with body fluids

·What diseases would require contact precautions?

Herpes simplex, scabies, drug-resistant organisms, GI, wounds, MRSA, C.diff, VRE

What PPE may be used to prevent the spread of microorganisms?

gloves, gown, masks, hair cover

Who should wear PPE during surgery?

everyone

What is the purpose of reverse isolation?

Protect immunocompromised patient from infectious agents

Name three common blood-borne pathogens

HCV, HBV, HIV

what is a blood borne pathogens?

Reside in blood and can be transmitted to an individual exposed to the blood or body fluids of the exposed individual

how do you transmit blood-borne pathogens?

needle sticks, wounds, mother to child, sexual transmission

medical asepsis

-use of precise practices to reduce the number, growth, and spread of micro-organisms

--> clean technique

-used in everyday medical practices

surgical asepsis

-use of precise practices to eliminate all micro-organism from an object r area

-->sterile technique

-used for sterile procedures

What is the primary goal of aseptic technique?

To prevent the unintentional introduction of microorganisms or the spread of them.

what can happen if a sterile field is compromised but still used?

Microorganism will be introduced and can cause infections/disease

what are the restrictions in zone 1 of the OR?

this is the unrestricted area and you may wear whatever you want

what are the restrictions in zone 2 of the OR?

hair and shoes must be covered with surgery scrubs on

what are the restrictions in zone 3 of the OR?

Only persons wearing scrub dress, shoe covers, and masks are allowed to be present.

Sterilization vs Disinfection

sterilization- kills all bacteria

disinfection- reduces numbers of bacteria

methods used in sterilization?

• Steam Under Pressure

• Chemical Sterilization

• Ethylene

chemical used in sterilization

2% activated glutaraldehyde

what is the most effective method of sterilization?

steam sterilization

When should surgical instruments be sterilized?

after use

What are physical methods of disinfection?

heat and cold, chemical agents, antiseptics, and alcohol swab

Do all disinfectants have the same effectiveness?

no.

disinfectant vs antiseptic

Disinfectant - antimicrobial agent used on inanimate objects

Antiseptic - antimicrobial agent used on living tissue

List some items necessary for maintaining a sterile field during surgery

gowns, sterile drapes, sterile gloves

· Can a non-sterile person or thing touch a sterile field? And what should be done if they do?

no, anything that they have touched should be considered unsterile and should be replaced by a new sterile field

At what level are OR tables considered sterile?

anything on the tabletop is sterile and anything below is unsterile

· Where is a surgical gown considered sterile?

anything above waist level in the front

· Where should hands wearing surgical gloves be kept?

above waist level

What should I do if I feel dizzy or nauseous during a surgery I am involved in?

ask someone to take over for you so you do not pass out onto the sterile field

pulsed beam aka intermittent fluro

the beam is not a steady stream but pulses on and off.

What types of exposure factors reduce patient dose?

high kVp and low mAs

when should you use the boost feature on a C-arm?

· Boost should only be used when necessary to obtain adequate penetration on thicker than average body parts

What position of the c-arm causes the most exposure to the surgeon or operator's head?

when the tube is above the patient

What position of the c-arm causes the least exposure to the surgeon or operator's head?

tube under the table