Asepsis Chapter 10 Bethann Davis MSN NP Quincy

Asepsis Chapter 10 Bethann Davis MSN, NP Quincy College PNU 145 Fall 2015

Asepsis • Learning objectives: At the end of the chapter, the student will be able to: define microorganisms and pathogens list the six components in the chain of infection name factors to break the chain of infection

Asepsis define nosocomial infections differentiate between medical and surgical asepsis list common medical aseptic practices

Microorganisms • Living plants, animals visible only with a microscope • Commonly called germs

Microorganisms Divided in to 2 groups Pathogens Nonpathogens (normal flora)

Microorganisms • Many of these will reside within the body without causing diseases • Some will cause an infection or infectious diseases

Types of Pathogens • Pathogens-are micro-organisms or microbes that cause infection • Bacteria (Staphylococcus, E-coli, strep) • Viruses ( HIV, hepatitis, herpes zoster/simplex, ebola) • Fungi Molds and yeasts (Candida albicans, Alpergillus) • Prions Protein particles

Pathogens • Parasites Protozoa (malaria, toxoplasmosis) and helminths ( worms) • Virulence is the ability of a pathogen to invade and injure a host

Microorganisms • Chain of infection: 1. Infectious agent 2. Reservoir for growth 3. Exit route from reservoir 4. Means of transmission 5. Portal of entry 6. Susceptible host

Microorganisms • Chain of infection

Microorganisms • Chain of infection 1. infectious agent Bacteria, virus, fungus, prior, parasite 2. reservoir for growth Human, animal, water, soil, insect

Chain of infection • 3. Exit route from reservoir • 4. Means of transmission

Microorganisms • Chain of infection (cont) 5. Portal of entry 6. Susceptible host

Infection Process Chain of infection • Causative agent (bacteria, fungus, parasite) • Reservoir (human, water, soil, insect) • Portal of exit from (means of leaving) the host -Respiratory tract (droplet, airborne) Mycobacterium tuberculosis and strep pn -Gastrointestinal tract Ecoli, hepatitis A, herpes virus

Chain of infection • Skin/MM -herpes and varicella Blood/body fluids -HIV, hep B and C

Mode of transmission • Contact -direct, indirect, fecal oral Droplet -sneezing, coughing, talking Airborne -sneezing, coughing Vector borne -Animals or insects (ticks, mosquitoes)

Portal of entry to the host • May be same as portal or exit • Susceptible host -Compromised defense mechanism (immunocompromised, breaks in skin) leave host more susceptible

Immune Defenses • Nonspecific innate immunity -temportary immunity -intact skin -MM, secretions, phagocytic cells, protective protein -inflammatory response

Immune Defenses • Specific adaptive immunity -Requires time to react -Provides permanent immunity -Involves B- and T lymphocytes -Produces specific antibodies

Infection Control (IC) • An infection occurs when the presence of a pathogen leads to a chain of events. All compartments must be present and intact for the infection to occur. • Nurses use IC practices (medical/surgical asepsis, standard precautions) to break the chain and stop the spread of infection.

Microorganisms • Nosocomial infections: an infection acquired while client was in healthcare facility ex. pneumonia, urinary

Asepsis • Asepsis: practices that decrease or eliminate infectious agents, their reservoirs, and vehicles for transmission Health care professionals use both medical and surgical asepsis to prevent spread of infections.

Asepsis • Medical asepsis: reduces number of organisms measures that interfere with the chain of infection.

Infection Process Chain of infection • Causative agent (bacteria, fungus, parasite) • Reservoir (human, water, soil, insect) • Portal of exit from (means of leaving) the host -Respiratory tract (droplet, airborne) Mycobacterium tuberculosis and strep pn -Gastrointestinal tract Ecoli, hepatitis A, herpes virus

Stages of an infection • • Incubation Prodromal stage Illness stage Convalescence

Asepsis • Surgical asepsis: measures that make supplies and equipment totally free of organisms practices to avoid contaminating sterile items

Asepsis • Surgical asepsis practices: sterilization using sterile gloves creating sterile fields following rules of sterile fields/objects

Asepsis • Surgical asepsis practices:

General considerations • Older clients more susceptible to infections. • Maintain intact skin, proper aseptic techniques, personal hygiene, and thorough hand washing. • Sick health care workers should take sick leave rather than expose susceptible clients to infectious organisms.