RT infection control

medical asepsis

clean technique, things like suctioning, wiping, area is clean

surgical asepsis

sterile technique, operating room, delivery room, dressing changes, endotracheal open suction

infection elements

disease microbe, reservoir where they can live, way of exit or escape from reservoir, way for transmission to the host, way of entry into host, susceptible host

spread of infection

source (reservoir), route of transmission and susceptible host

susceptible hosts

poorly controlled diabetics, extremes of ages, HIV infections, latrogenic (chemo, catheters, piks, lines)

natural defenses

skin, mucous, WBCs/phagocytes, acidosis, antibodies, fever, immunity

vectors

mosquitos, flies, rates, and other vermin that host disease

indirect transmission

most frequent mode, involves transfer of a pathogen through a contaminated intermediate object (fomites)

airborne transmission

rubella, measles, meningitis, the flu

microorganism growth

moisture, food, oxygen, temperature, darkness

virulence

ability of organism to cause severe disease in a host, how harmful it is to host, higher = more serious disease

nosocomial

common problem exposed to at home, usually something minor like a cold, commonly

HAI

commonly urinary, surgical incision or respiratory infection, hospital acquired infection

local infection

redness, heat, swelling, pain, fluid, may be asymptomatic

systemic / general infection

located throughout the body, fever, chills, pain, ache/tenderness, night sweats, fatigue 

OPIM

other potentially infectious materials, blood, semen, vaginal secretion, pleural fluid etc.

OSHA

occupational safety and health administration, protects employees who come in contact with contaminated materials at work

blood born pathogens

hepatitis B and C, HIV, malarira, brucellosis, syphilis

HIV

depletes T cells (immune system)

hepatitis B

can lead to chronic liver disease, liver cancer and death, very virulent, can survive long on dry blood outside of body (1 week)

bacteriostatic

inhibits the growth of bacteria but does not kill them

virocidal

destroys viruses, ethanol, hand sanitizer

antiroom

every 2 hours air is exchanged, every 12 hours room air is circulated, for airborne precautions, air cannot escape room, negative pressure and HEPA filters in room

disinfection and sterilization levels

cleaning, disinfection (pasteurization), chemical disinfection (immersion, specific agents), sterilization (steam, pasteurization), immediate use sterilization

immediate use sterilization

placed on open tray or container for rapid penetration of steam for easy access

surveillance

ongoing process of monitoring patients and health care personnel for acquisition of infection, colonization of pathogens or both, survey device related infections as well