Infection Control

Chapter 3 Infection Control I. Terminology and Basic Concepts A. Medical and Surgical Asepsis B. Handwashing C. Personal Care II. Cycle of Infection A. Pathogens B. Contact: Direct and Indirect C. Nosocomial III. Standard Precautions IV. Transmission-Based Precautions A. Airborne B. Droplet C. Contact

Infection Control

Practices used in healthcare to prevent the spread of infectious microorganisms

Antisepsis

Practice that slows or prevents growth of pathogenic microorganisms on living tissue

Medical Asepsis

Reduction or destruction of pathogenic microorganisms through disinfection procedures

Surgical Asepsis

Complete elimination of all microorganisms including spores through sterilization

Disinfection

Process that destroys pathogenic microorganisms but not bacterial spores

Sterilization

Process that eliminates all microorganisms including spores

Pathogens

Microorganisms capable of producing disease

Opportunistic Pathogens

Normally harmless organisms that cause disease in weakened hosts

Bloodborne Pathogens

Microorganisms present in blood that can cause disease when transmitted

Common Bloodborne Pathogens

Hepatitis B hepatitis C and HIV

HIV

Human immunodeficiency virus that attacks the immune system

Hepatitis B

Bloodborne viral infection that affects the liver

Handwashing

Most important method of preventing infection transmission

Handwashing Duration

At least 10 seconds with soap and warm running water

Alcohol Hand Sanitizer

Alternative hand hygiene method when hands are not visibly soiled

Disinfectants

Chemical agents used to destroy microorganisms on nonliving surfaces

Antiseptics

Chemicals applied to living tissue to inhibit microorganisms

Germicides

Substances used to destroy pathogenic microorganisms

Hydrogen Peroxide

Common disinfectant used in infection control

Chlorine

Powerful disinfectant commonly used for sanitation

Iodine

Antiseptic used to disinfect skin before procedures

Formaldehyde

Strong disinfectant used to destroy microorganisms

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Protective clothing or equipment used to prevent exposure to infection

Gloves

Barrier protection worn when contact with blood or body fluids is possible

Gown

Protective clothing worn when contamination of clothing is possible

Mask

Protective barrier used to prevent inhalation of infectious droplets

Eye Protection

Face shield or goggles used to prevent fluid splashes to the eyes

Healthcare Uniform

Clean clothing worn in clinical areas to reduce contamination

Artificial Nails Restriction

Not allowed in many facilities because they harbor microorganisms

Jewelry Restriction

Only plain wedding band and wristwatch recommended

Sterile Technique

Technique used to maintain surgical asepsis during invasive procedures

Sterile Corridor

Area between draped patient and instrument table in surgery

Cycle of Infection

Series of events allowing microorganisms to spread from one host to another

Infectious Agent

Disease-causing microorganism

Reservoir

Place where microorganisms live and multiply

Portal of Exit

Route by which pathogens leave the host

Mode of Transmission

Method by which microorganisms spread

Portal of Entry

Route through which pathogens enter new host

Susceptible Host

Person at risk of infection due to weak immunity or exposure

Direct Contact Transmission

Spread of infection through physical contact such as touching

Droplet Transmission

Spread of infection through respiratory droplets from cough or sneeze

Indirect Contact Transmission

Spread through contaminated objects or airborne particles

Airborne Transmission

Spread through tiny evaporated droplets that remain suspended in air

Fomites

Inanimate objects capable of transmitting infection

Vector

Living carrier such as insect or animal that transmits disease

Mosquito Vector

Carrier of diseases such as malaria

Tick Vector

Carrier of diseases such as Lyme disease

Nosocomial Infection

Infection acquired during hospitalization

Most Common Nosocomial Infection

Urinary tract infection

Nosocomial Infection Cause

Use of catheters contaminated equipment or poor hygiene

Sepsis

Severe infection where bacteria enter the bloodstream

Respiratory Infection

Infection affecting lungs or airways often spread by droplets

Standard Precautions

Guidelines assuming all patients may carry infectious microorganisms

Purpose of Standard Precautions

Protect healthcare workers and patients from infection

Body Fluids Considered Infectious

Blood semen vaginal secretions breast milk amniotic fluid CSF synovial fluid

Additional Infectious Substances

Urine feces saliva nasal secretions tears and sweat

Barrier Protection

Use of gloves masks gowns and eye shields to prevent exposure

Biomedical Waste

Medical waste contaminated with infectious materials

Sharps

Objects capable of puncturing skin such as needles or scalpels

Sharps Disposal

Must be placed immediately in puncture-resistant container

Needle Safety

Needles should never be recapped after use

Bleach Disinfection Solution

One part bleach to ten parts water

Airborne Precautions

Isolation for diseases transmitted through airborne particles

Airborne Disease Example

Tuberculosis

Airborne Disease Example

Measles or rubeola

Airborne Disease Example

Varicella or chickenpox

Airborne Room Requirement

Negative pressure private room

Airborne PPE Requirement

N95 respirator mask

Droplet Precautions

Used for diseases spread by large respiratory droplets

Droplet Disease Example

Rubella

Droplet Disease Example

Mumps

Droplet Disease Example

Influenza

Droplet Room Requirement

Private patient room

Droplet PPE Requirement

Surgical mask when entering room

Contact Precautions

Used for infections spread by direct or indirect contact

Contact Disease Example

MRSA

Contact Disease Example

Clostridium difficile infection

Contact Disease Example

Infected wounds

Contact PPE Requirement

Gloves and gown required

MRSA

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus resistant bacterial infection

Clostridium difficile

Bacteria causing severe intestinal infection

Mobile Radiography Isolation

Usually requires two radiographers

Dirty Radiographer

Radiographer who positions patient and handles contaminated materials

Clean Radiographer

Radiographer who handles equipment controls to prevent contamination

Cassette Protection

Cassette placed in plastic bag or pillowcase to avoid contamination

Contaminated Linen Handling

Placed in plastic bag and returned with patient

Equipment Disinfection

All radiographic equipment must be cleaned with disinfectant after use

Handwashing After Procedure

Hands must be washed immediately after patient contact

Protective Isolation

Isolation used to protect immunocompromised patients

Reverse Isolation

Another term for protective isolation

Burn Patients Isolation

Burn patients require protective isolation due to skin damage

Transplant Patients Isolation

Require protection because immune system is weakened

Leukemia Patients Isolation

Immunocompromised and susceptible to infection

CPR Infection Control

Use resuscitation bags and mouthpieces during emergency CPR

Blood Splash Protection

Face and eye shields must be worn

Glove Changing Rule

Gloves must be changed between each patient

Contaminated Equipment Risk

Equipment can transmit infection through indirect contact

Radiographer Responsibility

Strict adherence to infection control procedures at all times

Hospital Infection Control

Each department must implement infection control protocols

Main Route of Infection Spread

Healthcare workers hands