Infection Control and Medical Waste Management Guidelines

Vocabulary-style practice flashcards covering standard precautions, hand hygiene, transmission-based precautions, PEP protocols, instrument reprocessing, and hazardous medical waste management based on the official guidelines.

Healthcare-Associated Infection (HCAI)

Infections that were neither present nor incubated at the time of admission to a health facility, typically becoming evident after $48\,\text{hours}$ following admission.

Standard Precautions

The minimum evidence-based infection prevention measures that apply to all patient care in any setting, regardless of suspected or confirmed infection status.

Five Moments for Hand Hygiene

The five key clinical indications for hand hygiene defined by WHO: 1. Before patient contact, 2. Before aseptic task, 3. After body fluid exposure risk, 4. After patient contact, and 5. After contact with patient surroundings.

Alcohol Hand Rub Formulation

An antiseptic hand hygiene preparation made by mixing $97\,\text{ml}$ of $70\%$ alcohol in $3\,\text{ml}$ of glycerin, used when hands are not visibly soiled.

Surgical Hand Washing

A hand scrubbing procedure performed for at least $2\text{--}5\,\text{minutes}$ using liquid antiseptic soap and running water to eliminate transient flora and reduce resident flora before surgical procedures.

Airborne Precautions

Infection control measures for pathogens transmitted via small droplet nuclei ($< 5\,\mu\text{m}$) in the air, requiring patient isolation in negative pressure/ventilated rooms and N95 respirators for personnel.

Droplet Precautions

Measures for pathogens transmitted via large droplets ($> 5\,\mu\text{m}$) within $1\,\text{meter}$, requiring healthcare workers to wear a surgical mask when working in close proximity.

Contact Precautions

Precautions for diseases spread by direct or indirect contact with the patient or environment, requiring gloves, gown, single/cohort room isolation, and dedicated patient equipment.

Multi-Drug Resistant Organisms (MDROs)

Bacterial isolates resistant to one or more agents in three or more different classes of antimicrobials to which they are expected to be susceptible (e.g., MRSA, ESBL, VRE).

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) HIV Regimen

A 4-week, 3-drug antiretroviral course consisting of TDF ($300\,\text{mg}$ OD) + 3TC ($300\,\text{mg}$ OD) + LPV/r ($400\,\text{mg}/100\,\text{mg}$ OD), ideally initiated within $72\,\text{hours}$ of exposure.

HBV Vaccine Responder

A vaccinated individual who achieves adequate protective antibody levels, defined as Hepatitis B surface antibody levels of $\ge 10\,\text{IU/ml}$.

HBV Vaccine Non-responder

A vaccinated individual who fails to develop adequate protective antibody levels, defined as Hepatitis B surface antibody levels of $< 10\,\text{IU/ml}$.

Decontamination

The initial process of soaking used instruments in $0.5\%$ bleaching solution for $10\text{--}15\,\text{minutes}$ (maximum $30\,\text{minutes}$) to make them safer for staff to clean.

High Level Disinfection (HLD)

A process that destroys all microorganisms except some bacterial spores, commonly achieved using $2\%$ Glutaraldehyde immersion for at least $20\,\text{minutes}$.

Autoclaving

A steam-under-pressure sterilization method operating at $15\,\text{PSI}$ pressure and $121\,^\circ\text{C}$ temperature for $30\,\text{minutes}$ once set temperature is reached.

Biohazard Symbol

The universal warning symbol placed on containers and red plastic bags designated for infectious solid medical waste.

Sharps Container Symbol

The symbol used to identify puncture-proof yellow or white containers designated for collecting sharp items like needles, scalpels, and broken glass.

Cytotoxic Waste Symbol

The symbol designated for purple containers or plastic bags holding cytotoxic drugs and genotoxic waste.

Chemical Waste Symbol

The identification symbol used on brown containers designated for chemical and pharmaceutical waste disposal.

Radioactive Waste Symbol

The trefoil symbol marked on lead containers storing radioactive substances used in diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.

Encapsulation

A disposal technique where pharmaceutical waste fills $75\%$ of a drum, topped with cement ($15\%$), lime ($15\%$), and water ($5\%$+), sealed, and buried at landfill bases.

Infectious Medical Waste Storage Limits

The maximum permissible duration for storing infectious waste within a facility: $24\text{--}48\,\text{hours}$ during summer and $24\text{--}72\,\text{hours}$ during winter.

Deep Burial Pit Standards

A disposal pit built at least $50\,\text{meters}$ from water sources and dwellings, with the bottom $1.5\,\text{meters}$ above groundwater, measuring $2\text{--}3\,\text{m}$ deep and lined with $30\,\text{cm}$ of clay.