chapter 4: Infection Control and Sterile Processing

This set of flashcards covers healthcare-associated infections, the detailed links of the chain of infection, and various modes of transmission and safety protocols based on sterile processing standards.

Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs)

Infection acquired while in a hospital, surgery center, or healthcare facility.

Pathogenic microorganisms

The first link in the chain of infection controlled by sterile processing personnel.

Reservoir of infection

The habitat where a pathogen lives and multiplies; can be humans, animals, soil, or water.

Portals of exit

The third link in the chain of infection; includes the respiratory tract (mouth and nose), gastrointestinal tract (feces and saliva), and genitourinary tract.

Mode of transmission

The fourth link in the chain of infection that sterile personnel must interrupt to prevent the spread of pathogens.

Portals of entry

The final link sterile processing personnel oversee in the chain of infection.

Soil reservoir

An environmental habitat that can harbor pathogens causing botulism and various fungal infections.

Water reservoir

A habitat for gastrointestinal pathogens, particularly when contaminated with feces.

Direct contact transmission

Physical contact source such as person-to-person transmission.

Fomites

Inanimate objects like rusty nails, tissues, and equipment that facilitate indirect contact transmission.

Droplet Transmission

Occurs when infectious droplets are expelled by coughing or sneezing and travel up to $1\,\text{meter}$ ($\approx 3\,\text{feet}$) before landing.

Airborne Transmission

Spread via nuclei or small particles that travel through air currents over distances greater than droplets and remain infective over time.

Airborne infection isolation rooms (AIIRS)

Required facilities used to contain and prevent the transmission of airborne pathogens like mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Vehicle Transmission

Involves contaminated sources such as food, water, or medical equipment transmitting infections.

Vector transmission

Transmission that occurs via organisms like mosquitoes or ticks which carry pathogens from one host to another.

Bloodborne pathogens

Microorganisms in human blood and body fluids capable of causing diseases such as malaria, syphilis, hepatitis B, C, and AIDS.

OSHA Transport Requirements

Mandates that contaminated materials be moved in leak-proof, rigid containers that are red or red-orange and display biohazard symbols.

Exposure control plan

An OSHA requirement involving exposure determination, control methods, vaccination, follow-up, hazard communication, education, and incident evaluation.

Microns

Also known as micrometers, a unit of measurement relevant to the study of small particles and pathogens.

Contact Transmission

A common transmission mode that includes direct physical interaction or indirect contact via fomites.

Respiratory Droplets Characteristics

Particles larger than 5 µm expelled by coughing, sneezing, or talking that travel about 3 feet.

Airborne Infection Isolation Rooms (AIIRs)

Required for pathogens that can infect over long distances via small airborne particles.

Standard Precautions

Safety strategies treating all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious to protect patients and employees.

Requirements for Transporting Contaminated Items

Containers used must be rigid, leak-proof, labeled with a biohazard symbol, and colored red or red-orange.

OSHA-Mandated Exposure Control Plan

Plan detailing exposure determination, control methods, vaccination programs, and incident follow-up.

Hepatitis B Vaccination Policy

Hepatitis B vaccination must be offered at no cost to employees at risk, involving a series of three injections.

Susceptibility of the Host

The degree to which a host is vulnerable to infections, influenced by factors such as immune status, age, and underlying health conditions.