Module 6: Principles of Asepsis

Airborne

disease particles that remain infectious over long distances when suspended in the air

Asepsis

the absence of disease-causing organisms

Athlete’s Foot

foot-fungal infection of the foot, especially between the toes, causing redness, peeling, and cracking

Bacteria

most common microorganism causing disease; not all bacteria produce diseases

Barriers

items which prevent transmission of microorganisms from the worker to the resident or from the resident to the worker;

Biohazard symbol

identification for contaminated item containers ;the background is red or orange and the symbol is black

CDC

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Chain of infection

a series of related events required for the transmission and development of an infectious disease

Communicable

capable of being transferred from one person to another by direct or indirect contact

Contamination

a condition of being unclean or soiled with pathogens making an object unsafe for use

Contact

direct or indirect touching/exposure between two persons or surfaces

Disinfection

a process using chemicals to kill or slow growth of pathogenic organisms

Disorientation

loss of the ability to recognize time, place and/or people

Disposable

made to be used once and then thrown away

Droplet

respiratory secretions

E Coli

bacteria commonly found in the intestinal tract where it is normally non-pathogenic

Excretions

process of eliminating substances through skin, kidneys or intestines

Fungus

a class of microorganisms to which mold and yeast belong.

HIV

Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Host

animal or plant that harbors and nourishes another organism

Infections

multiplication of invasive pathogenic microorganism in the body causing disease

Infectious Agent

microorganism capable of causing disease

Influenza

highly contagious acute infection of the respiratory tract spread by airborne droplets

Isolation

separation of a resident from other residents; may be required when infection is present

Lice

common parasite of the skin and hair

Microorganisms

organisms that can only be seen under a microscope

MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus)

a pathogenic organism highly resistant to most antibiotics, particularly Methicillin

Nausea

a sensation often leading to the urge to vomit

Non-Intact

broken, cut, crooked, or cracked

Nosocomial

infections that occur at least 72 hours after admission to a care facility; also called hospital-acquired infection

OSHA

Occupational Safety and Health Administration: government agency that makes and enforces regulations to protect health care and other workers

Pneumonia

inflammation of the lungs usually caused by infection

PPE

equipment such as waterproof gowns, masks, gloves and goggles needed to protect an employee from infectious materials

Pathogens

disease producing microorganism

Reservoir

the place where infectious organisms live and reproduce

Scabies

communicable skin condition caused by a mite and transmitted by close contact with an infected source

Standard Precautions

practices developed by the Center for Disease Control used with all residents to prevent or reduce the spread of microorganisms

Sterilization

a process that destroys all microorganisms

Streptococcus

a bacteria capable of causing infection in body tissues

Transmission based precautions

isolation procedures used in addition to Standard Precautions that prevent the spread of infection by interrupting the way in which microorganisms are spread

Tuberculosis

a communicable lung infection easily spread by sneezing and coughing

Virus

the smallest disease causing microbe; it depends on the invaded host for reproduction

VRE

Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus: intestinal microorganism resistant to most antibiotics, in particular Vancomycin