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Infection

is when a microorganism (pathogen) invades the body, multiplies and causes injury or disease.

communicable

can spread from person to person 

nosocomial & healthcare

associated infections (HAIs) - are acquired while in the hospital and other healthcare facilities usually caused by infected personnel, patients, visitors, food drug or equipment.

Infectious (causative) agent

Pathogenic microbe such as virus, bacteria, etc 

Reservoir

Source of infection agent or place where the microbe could grow which could be in humans, animals, equipment,etc

Exit pathway

A way or manner where an infectious agent can leave the reservoir host which could be through secretions etc.

Means of transmission

Airborne, direct  or indirect contact , droplets, vector (insect) and vehicle (food, water or drugs)

Entry pathway

Refers to the way an infectious agent enters a host that is susceptible to infection which includes body orifices.

Susceptible host

Someone who is prone to infection due to age, health or immune status. They usually include the elderly, newborn, patients who are immune suppressed.

INFECTION CONTROL PROGRAM

set of procedures that must be followed at all times that aims to break the chain of infections. 

routine hand washing

which uses plain soap and water or use of alcohol-based antiseptic hand cleaners

hand antisepsis

uses antimicrobial soap or alcohol-based hand sanitizer to remove transient microorganisms.

PPE

This includes gloves,  gown/lab coats, masks, face shields & goggles, and respirators. these are kept clean , worn to protect the healthcare worker from splashes of blood and specimen during the patient-care activities and is removed at the ante room or before leaving the room of the patient  to avoid contamination.   

Exposure control plan

  Healthcare workers are at risk of being exposed to blood-borne pathogens as they perform their duties either by needle stick or sharp object injury or mucous membrane exposure,

Blood-Borne Pathogens

are microorganisms in the human blood which are infectious and can cause diseases. The most common pathogens include, hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

1:10

For surface decontamination, use of ____ bleach solution or other disinfectants for the specimen collection and processing areas.

10 minutes

Mucous membrane exposure: 1. Flush with water or saline for at least _____.

eyewash

Mucous membrane exposure: 2. For the eyes, use _____ station for flushing. Remember to remove the contact lenses (if there are any) and make sure to disinfect them.

Report

Mucous membrane exposure: 3. ____ the incident to the immediate supervisor and the provider so that evaluation, treatment and counseling can be provided.

1. remove

Needle stick or other sharp injury:

1. Carefully ____ the shards or foreign object.

30

Needle stick or other sharp injury:

2. Wash the site thoroughly with soap and water for at least __seconds.

Biohazard

refers to any material that could be harmful to health.

Biosafety

is used to prevent and protect clinical laboratories from harmful incidents caused by laboratory specimen that are potentially biohazard

Ingestion

did not sanitize hands before handling food

Airborne

from splashes and aerosols during centrifugation

Non-intact skin

contamination through breaks or cuts in the skin

Percutaneous

exposure through the skin due to injuries from sharp objects

Permucosal

infection through mucous membranes of the mouth and nose and the conjunctive of the eyes.

ELECTRIC

Remove the source of electricity using non-conductive object or simply turn off the source of electricity, ask for medical assistance, start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if necessary, and keep the victim warm. 

FIRE

 Regular fire drills, The location of fire extinguishers and heavy blankets should be known

RADIATION

Radiation symbol be posted on areas where radioactive materials are used and kept.

CHEMICAL

wear the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE);  use chemical cleanup materials properly in case of spills; must be oriented where the safety showers and eyewash stations are located.

Shock

is a condition when there is not enough blood that circulates back to the heart which results to inadequate supply of oxygen in the body

keep the airway open

When the patient is in shock, perform the following steps as first aid: (1)

call for medical assistance

When the patient is in shock, perform the following steps as first aid: (2)

keep the patient lying down

When the patient is in shock, perform the following steps as first aid: (3)

control any bleeding or other cause of shock

When the patient is in shock, perform the following steps as first aid: (4)

keep the patient warm.

When the patient is in shock, perform the following steps as first aid: (5)

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

is a procedure done during emergency cases such as when a person is in cardiac arrest.