Infection Control and Disease Prevention

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Infection Control and Disease
Prevention
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Infection Control

• Microorganism a small living organism that is
  not visible to the naked eye found everywhere in
  the environment
• Normal flora - plant life adapted for living in a
  specific environment important for maintaining
  certain body processes non-pathogenic
• Pathogen - disease or infection causing
  microorganism

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Types of Microorganisms

• Bacteria
• Simple, one-celled organisms that multiply
  rapidly
• Examples of disease caused by bacteria include
  gonorrhea, meningitis, strep throat, botulism
• Antibiotics are used to kill bacteria

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Types of Microorganisms

• Protozoa
• One-celled animal-like organisms often found in
  decayed materials and contaminated water
• Cause diseases such as malaria, amebic dysentery,
  trichomonas

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Types of Microorganisms

• Fungi
• Simple, plant-like organisms that live on dead
  organic matter
• Yeasts and molds are two common forms that can be
  pathogenic
• Cause diseases such as ring worm, athletes foot,
  yeast vaginitis, and thrush
• Treated with antifungals

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Types of Microorganisms

• Virus
• Smallest microorganism, visible only with an
  electron microscope
• Cannot reproduce unless inside another living
  cell
• More difficult to kill because resistant to many
  disinfectants and are not affected by
  antibiotics.
• Cause diseases such as common cold, herpes,
  chicken pox, AIDS, Hepatitis

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Terms

• Nosocomial infection - acquired by an individual
  in a health care facility
• Opportunistic infection - those that occur when
  the bodys defenses are weak (Pneumocystis
  carinii)
• Disinfection to cleanse (wounds, rooms,
  clothing, etc..) of infection
• Sterilization - The act or procedure of
  sterilizing

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Chain of Infection

• Causative agent (or pathogen) - virus, bacteria,
  etc.
• Reservoir - A place where the pathogen can live
  (human body, the environment, fomites)
• Portal of exit - A way for the pathogen to escape
  the reservoir in which it has been growing (body
  secretions)

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Chain of Infection Cont.

• Mode of transmission - the way in which the
  pathogen is transmitted to another reservoir or
  host where it can live (direct person-to-person
  contact or direct contact with body secretions)
• Portal of entry - the manner in which the
  pathogen enters a new reservoir or host (break in
  the skin, respiratory or digestive tract,
  circulatory system)
• Susceptible host - a person likely to get an
  infection or disease

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How do we break the chain of infection????????
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Standard Precautions

• Equipment and methods that prevent the
  transmission of microorganisms from
  one person to another.
• Prior to the diagnosis of AIDS, personal
  protective equipment was used only in identified
  infectious processes.
• Became universal with further study of AIDS as a
  disease.

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Standard Precautions

• Applies to all patients at all times because not
  all diseases are readily observable.
• Gloves should be worn ANYTIME there is ANY
  possibility of coming into contact with a
  patients body fluids.
• It is NEVER wrong to put on gloves!!!!!

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Standard Precautions

• The HCP should choose what barriers to wear when
  caring for a patient based on
• the activity performed (vital signs)
• the patients illness, and
• the amount of exposure to blood and body fluids
• Ex gown and goggles if patient is coughing,
  bleeding, or has drainage from wounds or body
  orifices.

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Standard Precautions

• All sharps (needles, razors, etc.) should be
  disposed of immediately in biohazardous puncture
  proof sharps containers located in each room.
• Red, plastic container
• All unknown spills or waste should be treated as
  potentially hazardous.

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Types of Isolation

• Airborne Precautions - used for patients known
  (or suspected) to be infected with pathogens
  transmitted by small particles of evaporated
  droplets that contain microorganisms.
• Diseases rubella, tuberculosis, and shingles.

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Types of Isolation Cont.

• Droplet Precautions - must be followed for a
  patient known (or suspected) to be infected with
  pathogens transmitted by large particle droplets
  expelled during coughing, sneezing, talking, or
  laughing.
• Diseases flu, Neisseria meningitis,
  pertussis, some types of pneumonia,
  and diphtheria.

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Types of Isolation Cont.

• Contact Precautions - must be followed for any
  patients known or suspected to be infected with
  microorganisms that can be transmitted by either
  direct or indirect contact.
• Diseases GI, respiratory, or skin infection
  caused by a multi-drug resistant organism (MRSA),
  incontinent patients infected with E. coli,
  patients with lice or scabies, and patients with
  a staph infection.
• Isolation precautions include the
• use of gloves, gowns, and disposable
• equipment.

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Types of Isolation Cont.

• Protective or Reverse Isolation - refers to
  methods used to protect certain patients from
  organisms present in the environment. Protective
  isolation is used mainly for immunocompromised
  patients, or those whose body defenses are not
  capable of protecting them from infections.
• Examples organ transplant patients, burn
  patients, patients receiving chemotherapy, and
  patients whose immune systems have failed (e.g.
  AIDS).
• Precautions include frequent disinfecting of the
  patients room and the use of gloves, gowns, and
  masks.

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Bodys Defense Mechanisms

• Mucous membranes
• Cilia
• Coughing and sneezing
• Stomach acid
• Tears
• White blood cells
• Fever
• Inflammation

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Inflammatory Response

• The Inflammatory Response is a defensive action
  which takes into account fluids, hormones, and
  cells.
• Some symptoms relating to this response are
  redness, heat, swelling, and pain.
• Other signs of infection include foul smell from
  drainage, fever, fatigue, rash, nausea, vomiting
  or loss of appetite.

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Personal Protective Equipment

• Gloves
• Masks
• Gowns

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Standard Precautions

• Standard precautions
• Transmission-based precautions
• Blood and body fluids
• Personal protective equipment

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Medical Asepsis

• Hand washing

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Removing Contaminated Gloves