Infection Control

Biohazard: Biological hazard; harmful to health.
Biosafety: Safe handling of biological substances.
Blood-borne pathogen: Infectious microorganisms in blood/body fluids.
CDC: Center for Disease Control; investigates and controls diseases.
DOT: Department of Transportation.
NIOSH: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; research and prevention for workplace injuries.
OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Administration; enforces safe working conditions.

Infection: Occurs when microorganisms invade the body and cause disease.
Microorganism: Microscopic organism; includes bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa.
Pathogen: Microorganism that causes disease.
Nosocomial infections: Acquired in hospitals.
Healthcare-associated infections (HAI): Infections from healthcare delivery in all settings.

Infectious agent: Pathogenic microbe causing infection.
Reservoir: Place where microorganisms survive and multiply (e.g., humans, animals, food, water).
Exit pathway: How pathogen exits (eyes, nose, mouth, blood).
Means of transmission: Includes airborne, contact (direct/indirect), droplet, vector, vehicle.
Entry pathway: Ways pathogens enter the body (orifices, mucous membranes, skin breaks).
Susceptible host: Individuals with reduced ability to resist infection (newborns, elderly, immunocompromised).

Infection control program: Required to monitor and prevent infections.
Employee screening/immunization: Required TB screening, immunizations provided free (HBV, MMR).
Hand hygiene: Essential for infection prevention; includes washing and using alcohol-based cleansers.
Personal protective equipment (PPE): Protects against exposure to infectious substances; includes gloves, gowns, masks, and goggles.
- Gloves: Required during high-risk procedures (e.g., phlebotomy).
- Gowns: Fluid resistant, protects skin.
- Masks: Protect against droplets; single use.

Universal Precautions: Treat all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious.
Body Substance Isolation (BSI): Isolate workers from pathogens.
Standard Precautions: Combines elements of UP and BSI.
Transmission-based Precautions: Includes airborne, droplet, and contact precautions.

Biohazard exposure routes:
- Parenteral: Exposure other than digestive tract.
- Ingestion: Hand hygiene neglect leading to contamination.
- Airborne: Inhalation of aerosols or splashes.
- Non-intact skin: Exposure through cuts or abrasions.
- Percutaneous: Needle sticks or similar injuries.
- Permucosal: Entry through mucous membranes (e.g., eyes).

Blood-borne pathogens: Infectious microorganisms in blood/body fluids (e.g., HBV, HCV, HIV).
BBP Standard: OSHA-mandated standard to reduce occupational exposure risk.