Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering core terms, definitions, and procedures in Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) based on lecture notes.

Infection Prevention and Control Risk Status

The assessed level of risk for infection transmission within a healthcare setting, monitored through regular assessments and mitigation measures.

Point of Care Risk Assessment

A quick decision made before and during a task considering the patient, specimen or body fluid, procedure, likelihood of splash/sharps exposure, and available environment or equipment.

Microorganisms

Tiny living organisms (also called microbes) that can only be seen with a microscope, found in soil, water, air, food, and on or inside the human body.

Bacteria

Single-celled prokaryotic organisms lacking a true nucleus that come in three basic shapes: spherical, rod-shaped, and spiral.

Viruses

The smallest microorganisms that are not true living cells, which reproduce by invading and hijacking a host cell's machinery.

Fungi

Microorganisms larger than bacteria that have rigid cell walls made of chitin and reproduce via spores.

Parasites

Organisms that live on or inside a host, ranging from microscopic protozoa to visible worms, transmitted through food, water, soil, or insect bites.

Pathogen

A microorganism capable of causing disease in a host, depending on its virulence, dose, and host susceptibility.

Virulence

A measure of how aggressive or damaging a pathogenic microorganism is in causing disease.

Normal Flora

Trillions of microorganisms colonizing the skin, mouth, gastrointestinal tract, and genitourinary system from birth that are essential to health.

Dysbiosis

The disruption of the body's natural microbial balance, which can allow normal flora to become harmful.

Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs)

Infections acquired by patients while receiving healthcare that were not present or incubating at the time of admission.

Hospital Acquired Infection Timing Criterion

An infection that develops 48 hours or more after hospital admission, or within 30 days after discharge for surgical procedures.

Endemic

A disease consistently present within a specific geographic area or population.

Outbreak

A sudden increase in disease cases beyond what is normally expected in a specific place, population, or time period.

Epidemic

The rapid spread of an infectious disease affecting many individuals within a community or region.

Pandemic

An epidemic that has spread across multiple countries or continents.

Chain of Infection

A six-stage model of infection transmission consisting of Infectious Agent, Reservoir, Portal of Exit, Mode of Transmission, Portal of Entry, and Susceptible Host.

Reservoir

Where an infectious agent normally lives, survives, or multiplies (such as people, animals, water, food, or equipment).

Portal of Exit

The path by which an infectious agent leaves its reservoir, such as blood, respiratory secretions, saliva, feces, or urine.

Portal of Entry

The pathway through which an infectious agent enters a host, such as eyes, nose, mouth, respiratory tract, broken skin, or percutaneous injuries.

Percutaneous Exposure

Occupational exposure occurring through skin puncture, most commonly from needlestick injuries or cuts from sharp instruments.

Hepatitis B (HBV)

A viral bloodborne infection attacking the liver that is up to 100 times more infectious than HIV via needlestick.

Hepatitis C (HCV)

A bloodborne viral infection transmitted primarily through blood-to-blood contact that lacks a vaccine but can be cured with antivirals in most cases.

Secretion

A process by which useful substances (such as saliva, mucus, tears, or hormones) are produced and discharged from a cell, gland, or organ for specific physiological purposes.

Excretion

The process of eliminating or expelling metabolic waste matter (such as urine, feces, sweat, or carbon dioxide) from the body.

Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2)

The biosafety level under which clinical diagnostic laboratories operate to handle moderate-risk pathogens spread by direct contact, mucous membranes, sharps injuries, or ingestion.

Standard Precautions

Minimum infection control practices applied to all patients at all times to prevent transmission from blood, body fluids, non-intact skin, and mucous membranes.

Direct Contact Transmission

Physical transfer of pathogens through close or intimate skin-to-skin contact between a source and a susceptible host.

Indirect Contact Transmission

Transfer of an infectious agent when a susceptible host touches a contaminated intermediate object or surface.

Droplet Transmission

Transfer of an infectious agent via large, heavier droplets generated by coughing, sneezing, or talking to mucous membranes within 2 metres / 6 feet.

Airborne Transmission

Spread of fine infectious particles that remain suspended in air and persist over long distances and time.

Vehicle Transmission

Transmission of infectious agents through contaminated inanimate media such as food, water, blood products, or IV fluids.

Vector Transmission

Transfer of an infectious agent carried mechanically or biologically by a living organism, typically an insect or arthropod.

Cohorting

The practice of grouping patients infected with the same confirmed or suspected pathogen together and separating them from unaffected patients.

5 Moments of Hand Hygiene

The key clinical indications for hand hygiene: 1. Before touching a patient, 2. Before a clean/aseptic procedure, 3. After body fluid exposure risk, 4. After touching a patient, and 5. After touching patient surroundings.

Donning PPE Steps

The sequential order for putting on PPE: 1. Perform Hand Hygiene, 2. Put on Gown, 3. Put on Mask / N95 Respirator, 4. Put on Protective Eyewear, 5. Put on Gloves.

Doffing PPE Steps

The sequential order for safely removing PPE: 1. Remove Gloves, 2. Remove Gown, 3. Perform Hand Hygiene, 4. Remove Protective Eyewear, 5. Remove Mask / N95 Respirator, 6. Perform Hand Hygiene.

Negative Pressure Room

An isolation room maintained at lower air pressure than surrounding areas so air flows inward, venting airborne pathogens outdoors or through HEPA filters.

Reverse Isolation

Protective isolation practices designed to shield immunocompromised or highly vulnerable patients from external pathogens.