Microbiology & Infection Control: Health and Safety Interventions (Strand 3)

Chain of infection

The set of links that must all be present for an infection to spread.

Infectious agent

The microbe involved in infection (bacteria, virus, fungus, parasite).

Reservoir

Where the infectious agent lives (people, animals, surfaces, water, equipment).

Portal of exit

How the infectious agent leaves its reservoir (e.g., respiratory droplets, blood).

Mode of transmission

How the infectious agent moves (contact, droplet, airborne).

Portal of entry

How the infectious agent enters a new host (e.g., mouth, broken skin).

Susceptible host

A person with insufficient defenses against infection (no immunity, chronic disease).

Health and safety interventions

Targeted barriers placed at different links in the chain of infection.

Hand hygiene

Cleaning hands to remove or kill microbes.

Standard precautions

Minimum practices used for all patients to prevent infection.

Transmission-based precautions

Additional measures used when a specific infection is suspected or confirmed.

Risk assessment

Evaluating likelihood and severity of exposure to decide interventions.

Swiss cheese model

Layered controls allowing for small gaps in each layer for safety.

Alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR)

Fast and effective hand cleaning method against many pathogens.

Soap and water

Method used to mechanically remove dirt and microbes from hands.

PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)

Worn to create a barrier between healthcare workers and infectious materials.

Aseptic technique

Practices that prevent microorganisms from entering sterile body sites.

Cleaning

Physical removal of dirt and organic material.

Disinfection

Process that kills many pathogenic microorganisms except bacterial spores.

Sterilization

Complete destruction of all forms of microbial life, including spores.

Spaulding classification

Classification system for reprocessing items based on infection risk.

Contact precautions

Precautions taken to prevent contact transmission.

Droplet precautions

Precautions to mitigate risks of droplet transmission.

Airborne precautions

Precautions against transmission of airborne pathogens.

Sharps safety

Measures taken to prevent injuries from needles and sharp objects.

Clinical waste

Waste containing pathogens that requires special handling procedures.

Linen handling

Procedures to avoid contamination when managing soiled linens.

Antimicrobial stewardship

Efforts to use antibiotics appropriately to reduce resistance.

Surveillance

Systematic collection and analysis of infection data.

Outbreak response

Steps taken to control and investigate infection outbreaks.

Quality improvement

Continuous efforts to improve infection control practices.

Key parts

Specific components in a procedure that must remain sterile.

Key sites

Vulnerable areas where infection can occur (e.g., wound beds).

Respiratory hygiene

Measures to reduce the transmission of respiratory infections.

Cohorting

Grouping patients with the same infection to reduce transmission.

Immediate first aid

Initial steps taken after a sharps injury or exposure.

Safety culture

An environment that encourages reporting and correcting unsafe practices.

Environmental controls

Changes to the setting to reduce infection risk.

High-touch surfaces

Frequently touched surfaces that require regular cleaning.

Biofilm

A community of microorganisms attached to surfaces that can protect them from disinfection.

Immunization policy

Guidelines to vaccinate staff to protect them and patients.

Reporting culture

Encouragement of staff to report incidents without fear of punishment.

Fitness for work screening

Assessing healthcare workers' health status to prevent infection spread from them.

Immediate precautionary controls

Quick measures taken to mitigate risk during outbreaks.

Process measures

Metrics used to determine if infection control processes are followed correctly.

Infection prevention

Strategies to inhibit the spread of infections in healthcare settings.

Layered controls

Multiple interventions that together provide a more effective safety net against infections.