Chapter 14 Infection Control Understanding Principles of Infection

Chapter 14 Infection Control

Understanding Principles of Infection Control o Microorganism=small living organism not visible by the naked eye o Pathogens=germs; microorganisms that cause infection and disease o Nonpathogens=microbes that are part of the normal flora and are beneficial to maintaining certain body processes

Understanding Principles of Infection Control o Aerobic=organisms that require oxygen to live o Anaerobic=organisms that live and reproduce in the absence of oxygen

Virus vs. Bacteria o Bacteria=simple, one-celled organisms that multiply rapidly n Cocci n Bacilli n Spirilla o Viruses=cannot reproduce unless living inside another living cell n n Smallest microorganisms H 1 N 1 HIV (AIDS) Hepatitis

Types of Infection o Nosocomial (acquired in health facility) o Endogenous (originates inside body) o Exogenous (originates outside body) o Opportunistic (body defenses are weak)

Chain of Infection Causitive Agent (pathogen) Reservoir (where pathogen lives) Portal of Exit (way for pathogen to escape) Mode of Transmission (the way the pathogen is transmitted) o Portal of Entry (a way the pathogen enters a new reservoir) o Susceptible host (person likely to get an infection) o o

Aseptic Techniques o Asepsis – absence of disease-producing organisms o Sterile – free from ALL organisms o Contaminated – organisms and pathogens are present o Antisepsis – prevent or inhibit growth of o o pathogens but NOT effective against spores and viruses Disinfection – process that destroys or kills pathogenic organisms but not always effective against spores and viruses. Sterilization – destroys ALL microorganisms

Hand Hygiene o MOST IMPORTANT METHOD USED TO PRACTICE ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE o See pg 360: When to wash hands

How to Wash Hands o o o o pg. 360 Soap Warm water Friction Clean all surfaces Fingertips pointed downward Dry paper towels used to turn off faucet

Bloodborne Pathogens Standard o Pathogens of major concern: n HBV n HCV n HIV o In 1991 OSHA established Bloodborne Pathogen standards that must be followed by ALL health care facilities (pg. 363)

Standard Precautions o Rules developed by CDC o Every body fluid must be considered a potentially infectious material o All patients are considered potential sources of infection

When to use Standard Precautions o Whenever potential contact with: n blood or any fluid that may contain blood n Body fluids, secretions and excretions o o o o o Mucus Sputum Saliva CSF Feces Urine Vomitus Semen Vaginal secretions Pericardial, synovial, pleural, peritoneal fluids

Basic Rules o o o o o Handwashing Gloves Gowns Masks and eye protection Sharps Spills or splashes Resuscitation devices Waste and linen disposal Injuries

Sterilizing o Autoclave = uses steam under pressure or gas to sterilize equipment and supplies

Chemical Disinfection o Used for aseptic control o Many chemicals do NOT kill spores and viruses o Used to disinfect instruments that do not penetrate body tissue (dental instruments, scissors)

Ultrasonic Unit o Cleans using sound waves o Removes dirt, debris, blood, saliva and tissue from instruments prior to sterilizing o NOT sterilization because does not kill all spores and viruses

Using Sterile Technique o Sterile = free from all organisms o Contaminated = organisms and pathogens are present o Sterile Field n 2 in border n Never reach across n Keep in constant view

Maintaining Transmission Based Isolation Precautions o Communicable Disease = pathogen that is easily transmitted o Epidemic = when communicable disease spreads rapidly from person to person and affects large number of people at the same time. o Pandemic = outbreak occurs over wide geographical area.

Transmission Based Isolation Precautions o Method or technique of caring for patients who have communicable diseases n Tuberculosis n Pertussis o o o Standard Precautions Airborne Precautions Droplet Precautions Contact Precautions Protective or Reverse Isolation