Chapter 11 Infection Control The Infection Cycle Infection

Chapter 11 Infection Control

The Infection Cycle § Infection cycle: chain of events allowing a pathogen to infect a host: § § § Pathogen is present Reservoir host Portal of exit Route of transmission Portal of entry Susceptible host

Breaking the Chain of Infection § Spread of disease can be stopped by removing any link in the chain § Kill pathogen before it enters host § Change the environment in which the bacteria lives § For instance, if the bacteria needs moisture, keep the area clean and dry

Help Prevent the Spread of Infection! • Wash hands frequently • Wear gloves and other protective clothing – Gowns, goggles, and masks • Exposure to blood or other body fluids exists • Working with clients who may be infectious

Help Prevent the Spread of Infection! • Keep your immunizations up-to-date – Especially hepatitis vaccinations

Medical Asepsis (Clean Technique) § Practices and procedures designed to ensure a clean environment § Removing or destroying disease-causing microorganisms

Handwashing: The Key to Medical Asepsis § Handwashing is done at the following times: § When first arriving at work § Before performing each procedure on a client § During a procedure if hands become contaminated

Handwashing: The Key to Medical Asepsis § Handwashing is done at the following times: § Between each client when a procedure is performed § After using the restroom § After removing gloves from your hands § Before eating

Using Gloves § The athletic trainer: § Should always wear gloves whenever blood or body fluids are present § Even when the potential for such fluids are present, gloves must be worn

Contaminated Sharps § A serious risk exists when punctured by a needle or other sharp object § Dispose of all needles, scalpel blades, and other sharp objects in the proper puncture-resistant container

Reducing the Risk of Puncture Wounds • Never recap, bend, or manually remove a dirty needle • Always deposit the entire syringe and needle or sharp object in punctureresistant container

Reducing the Risk of Puncture Wounds • Immediately clean a puncture wound with alcohol and Betadine and cover the wound • Report this to your supervisor

Reducing the Risk of Puncture Wounds • Never carry needles or sharp objects from one location to another with the tips pointing toward other people or yourself • Point them toward the floor

The Risk of Hepatitis § Handwashing is critical for reducing hepatitis spread § Often transmitted through the fecal-oral route due to not washing one’s hands after using the bathroom

AIDS § Incurable (at present) disease § Great care must be taken to avoid contact with this virus § Wash hands § Wear protective eyewear, gloves, and a mask to prevent exposure to splattering blood or other body fluids

Universal Precautions § Health care workers must be familiar with these precautions: § Wear gloves when one has contact with blood, body secretions, or broken skin § Do not reuse gloves

Universal Precautions § Health care workers must be familiar with these precautions: § Wear protective eyewear and a mask during any procedures that may expose you to splattering blood or other body fluids

Universal Precautions § Health care workers must be familiar with these precautions: § Wear disposable gowns if blood or body fluids may splatter § Thoroughly wash hands and other skin surfaces immediately following contamination

Universal Precautions § Health care workers must be completely familiar with these precautions: § Avoid giving direct mouth-to-mouth resuscitation § Use mouth-to-mask method, resuscitator bags, and other available equipment

Universal Precautions § Health care workers must be completely familiar with these precautions: § Keep an airway nearby when working in a health care environment § Avoid direct patient contact if you have open wounds or other skin conditions

Universal Precautions § Healthcare workers must be completely familiar with these precautions: § Wash your hands after each patient contact and after removing gloves § Carefully dispose of all sharp objects in appropriate puncture-resistant containers

Body Secretions for which Standard Precautions Are Used § Urine § Sputum § Fecal material § Wound drainage § Semen § Vaginal secretions

Body Secretions for which Standard Precautions Are Used § Tissues § Synovial fluid § Around a joint § Cerebrospinal fluid § Around brain and spinal cord

Body Secretions for which Standard Precautions Are Used § Pleural fluid § Lung § Peritoneal fluid § Abdominal cavity § Pericardial fluid § Around the heart § Amniotic fluid