Communicable Diseases & Transmission in the Health Care Setting

Flashcards covering Chapter 11 content on bloodborne and airborne pathogens, transmission methods, standard precautions, and OSHA regulations.

Bloodborne Pathogens

Disease-producing microbes transmitted through blood, urine, feces, vomitus, saliva, wound drainage, sweat, tears, semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, amniotic fluid, and breast milk.

Needlestick Injury (Puncture Wound)

A common route of bloodborne pathogen transmission occurring when a healthcare worker suffers a puncture wound from a needle.

Broken Glass Transmission

Transmission of bloodborne pathogens occurring via cuts from contaminated, broken glass such as a blood tube.

Direct Contact Transmission

Transmission of bloodborne pathogens resulting from contact between contaminated fluids and broken skin, mucous membranes, or eyes.

Highest Risk Diseases for Health Care Workers

Hepatitis and AIDS, which represent the highest infection risk among bloodborne diseases for healthcare personnel.

Most Common Bloodborne Diseases

Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, AIDS, and Syphilis.

Hepatitis

Inflammation of the liver, originating from the roots 'hepat' (liver) and 'itis' (inflammation).

Causes of Hepatitis

Viral infection, chemicals, drugs, or drinking alcohol.

Five Types of Hepatitis

Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis D, and Hepatitis E.

Primary Healthcare Concerns among Hepatitis Types

Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV).

Hepat

A medical root term meaning liver.

Itis

A medical suffix meaning inflammation.

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)

A virus transmitted through blood, blood products, unprotected sex, and across the placenta from mother to baby; a vaccine is recommended by OSHA.

HBV Risk Factors for Healthcare Workers

Needlestick injuries, cuts from contaminated objects, and exposure of broken skin or mucous membranes to contaminated blood or body fluids.

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)

A bloodborne virus transmitted through contaminated blood transfusions and needlestick exposures that leads to liver failure.

HCV Transmission Routes

Contaminated blood transfusions and needlestick exposures.

Liver Failure

The organ failure condition that Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) leads to.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

A virus transmitted through blood and body fluids that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

A disease affecting the immune system caused by HIV, for which there is no cure or vaccine.

Primary Causes of Death in AIDS Patients

Infections and malignancies, due to a severely compromised immune system.

Vaccine/Cure Status for HIV/AIDS

There is currently no cure or vaccine for AIDS or HIV.

Standard Precautions: Gloves

Personal protective equipment worn whenever touching blood, body fluids, or contaminated surfaces and objects.

Standard Precautions: Waterproof Gown

Protective apparel worn when clothes could become soiled with blood or body fluids.

Standard Precautions: Facial Protection

Masks, face shields, and eye goggles worn when blood or body fluids could splash or spray.

Sharps

Items such as needles and razors that must be disposed of properly in OSHA-approved containers.

OSHA-Approved Containers

Designated disposal receptacles used for the proper containment of sharp items like needles and razors.

Handling Broken Glass Protocol

Broken glass must never be handled directly with hands; it should be swept or vacuumed up.

Spill Cleanup Protocol

Spills of blood or body fluids must be cleaned up using an approved cleaning agent while wearing PPE.

Handwashing

The most important method of preventing the spread of infection, required whenever PPE is removed.

Handwashing Timing

Hands must be washed immediately when removing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Protective gear (gloves, gowns, masks, face shields, goggles) required to prevent exposure during care and spill cleanup.

OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard

A set of workplace regulations requiring bloodborne pathogen training, free HBV vaccines, PPE, environmental controls, and exposure control plans.

OSHA HBV Vaccine Requirement

A regulation stating that employers must offer Hepatitis B vaccines to at-risk workers free of charge.

Environmental Control Methods

Measures such as special ventilation systems, proper waste disposal, and safe handling of contaminated linen and trash to protect employees and patients.

Exposure Control Plan

A plan required by OSHA that dictates procedures if employees are exposed to blood or body fluids from a patient.

Airborne Pathogens

Pathogens transmitted through the air that spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes and another person breathes the contaminated air.

Examples of Airborne Pathogens

Measles, chickenpox, and tuberculosis (TB).

Measles

A viral airborne disease spread through respiratory droplets and contaminated air.

Chickenpox

An airborne disease spread through coughs, sneezes, and contaminated air.

Tuberculosis (TB)

An airborne pathogen that infects people via breathing in contaminated air.

N95 Mask

A specific respirator mask worn by healthcare employees caring for residents with airborne pathogens and by patients during transport.

Airborne Precautions: Room Assignment

Placing residents known or suspected of having airborne pathogens in private rooms equipped with special ventilation systems.

Airborne Precautions: Caregiver PPE

Healthcare workers must always wear an N95 mask while caring for residents with airborne pathogens.

Unexposed Staff Airborne Protocol

Requirement for healthcare staff who have never been exposed to measles or chickenpox to wear an N95 mask when caring for residents.

Airborne Precautions: Resident Transport

Requirement that patients with airborne pathogens wear an N95 mask when being transported to another location.

Syphilis

One of the most common diseases caused by bloodborne pathogens highlighted in healthcare settings.

Placental Transmission

The route by which Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) can pass directly from an infected mother to her baby.

Contaminated Blood Transfusions

A medical route of transmission for bloodborne pathogens, specifically identified for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV).

Special Ventilation Systems

An environmental control method used in isolation rooms for airborne precautions to maintain safe air quality.

OSHA

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which recommends the HBV vaccine and mandates bloodborne pathogen safety standards in healthcare.