Infection Control

Table of Contents

Health Science and Technology Education

APPLIED EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS

Infection Control

APPLIED EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMSHealth ScienceHealth Science

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Microorganisms

Microorganisms are small living bodies that are not visible to the naked eye.▫ Nonpathogens -

maintain body processes▫ Pathogens – cause

infection and disease

Classes of microorganisms:▫ Bacteria▫ Protozoa▫ Fungi▫ Viruses


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Bacteria

Bacteria are one-celled microorganisms that are classified by shape.

Spores are thick-walled cells created by bacteria to aid in reproduction and to make the bacteria resistant to harsh environments. Spores can result in serious illness.

Diseases - food poisoning, strep throat, tetanus, syphilis, and cholera


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Protozoa

Protozoa are the simplest organisms in the animal kingdom.

Most protozoa need moisture to survive, so they are often found in watery environments.

Diseases - malaria, dysentery, and African sleeping sickness


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Fungi

Fungi are plant-like microorganisms that can be found in the air, in soil, on plants, or in water.

There are thousands of types of fungi, including mushrooms, yeasts, and molds. Only about half of these types of fungi are pathogenic.

Diseases - athlete’s foot, ringworm, yeast infections, and thrush


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Viruses

Viruses are the smallest type of microorganism. They are made up of only a few molecules.

Viruses invade the cells of a living organism where they reproduce more viruses.

Diseases - common cold, chicken pox, measles, herpes, hepatitis B and C, HIV, and AIDS


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Classification of Infections and Diseases

Endogenous – begins inside the body

Exogenous – caused by something outside the body

Nosocomial – acquired by an individual within a health care facility

Opportunistic – occur when the body’s defenses are weak


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Infectious and Communicable Diseases

An infectious disease results from an invasion of microorganisms.

A communicable disease is a type of infectious disease that can be transmitted from one person to another person.

Not all infectious diseases are communicable.


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Chain of Infection

Causative agent

Reservoir

Portal of exit

Mode of transmission

Portal of entry

Susceptible host


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Mode of Transmission

Airborne Transmission

Bloodborne Transmission

Vectorborne Transmission

Sexual Transmission

Foodborne Transmission

Casual Contact


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Asepsis

Asepsis is a condition that is free of pathogens.

Maintaining asepsis in a health care facility is the primary way to prevent the spread of disease from person to person.

It works by breaking the chain of infection.


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Medical and Surgical Asepsis

Medical asepsis is maintaining a clean environment in order to reduce the number of pathogens. It is also called clean technique.

Surgical asepsis is maintaining a sterile field that is free from all microorganisms and spores. It is also known as sterile technique.


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Sterilizing

Sterilization is the highest level of asepsis.

Sterilization is a type of surgical asepsis that kills all microorganisms, including viruses and spores.

The most common piece of equipment used for sterilization is called an autoclave.


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Disinfecting

Disinfection is a type of medical asepsis that destroys most pathogens, but is not always effective on viruses and spores.

Common disinfectant solutions include chlorine and bleach. An object must soak in a disinfectant solution for at least 20 minutes to be properly disinfected.


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Cleaning

Cleaning is the lowest level of asepsis, and is also called sanitization.

The cleaning process does not require harsh chemicals to destroy pathogens, so cleaning can be used on people.

Antiseptic solutions such as iodine, betadine, and alcohol are often used in the cleaning process.


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Hand Washing

Hand washing is the most basic and important type of medical asepsis.

Hand washing is the number one way to prevent the spread of infection.


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Handwashing

When arriving at the health care facility and immediately before leaving the facility

Before and after every patient contact

Before and after a procedure Before and after handling a

specimen Before and after touching the

mouth Before and after wearing

gloves. After contacting soiled or

contaminated items After picking up any item from

the floor After using the bathroom After coughing, sneezing, or

using a tissue


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Handwashing

Use liquid soap Use warm water Rub hands together firmly Clean all surfaces of the

hands Keep fingers pointed

downward Wash for at least 15 to 20

seconds Use only dry paper towels

to dry hands


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Standard Precautions for Patient Contact

Use appropriate personal protective equipment

Wash hands frequently

Bandage cuts properly

Use face shields during CPR


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Precautions for Environmental Cleanliness

Place sharps in puncture-proof biohazardous waste containers

Clean up spills immediately

Discard infectious waste in biohazardous waste bags

Place contaminated linens in biohazardous laundry bags


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Masks and Eyewear

Masks and eyewear must be worn for procedures that may produce splashes or sprays of blood or bodily fluid.

Masks should be worn once and then discarded into biohazardous waste containers.

Eyewear is often reusable. However, it must be cleaned and disinfected before reuse.


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Gowns

Gowns should be worn when using chemical solutions and during procedures where splashing or spraying of blood and bodily fluid is likely.

Disposable gown should be placed into biohazardous waste containers after use.

Non-disposable gowns may be placed into biohazardous linens bags.


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Non-Sterile Gloves

Non-sterile gloves should be worn when contacting blood or other bodily fluids and when handling or cleaning contaminated items.

The same pair of gloves should never be worn in more than one procedure.

Wearing gloves should never replace washing hands.


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Using PPE

Order for donning PPE▫ Mask and eyewear▫ Gown▫ Gloves

Order for removing PPE▫ Gloves▫ Gown▫ Mask and eyewear

Always wash hands before donning the items and immediately after removing them.


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Communicable Diseases

A communicable disease is a type of infectious disease that can be transmitted from one person to another person.

Some communicable diseases are spread through direct contact. Others may be spread through indirect contact.


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Transmission of Communicable Diseases

Not all communicable diseases are transmitted the same way.

There are many different types of communicable diseases, and health care workers must become familiar with the mode of transmission for each disease.


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Transmission-Based Precautions

Transmission-based precautions are used only with patients who have been diagnosed with highly communicable diseases.

Three types:▫ Airborne▫ Droplet▫ Contact


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Airborne Precautions

Airborne precautions are used for patients with disease that are spread through tiny airborne droplets.

Precautions:▫ Isolation room▫ Respiratory protection▫ Negative pressure

Examples of diseases:▫ Tuberculosis▫ Chicken pox


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Droplet Precautions

Droplet precautions are used for patients with diseases that are spread through large airborne droplets.

Precautions:▫ Isolation room▫ Standard surgical masks

Examples of diseases:▫ Pneumonia▫ Influenza▫ Whooping cough


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Contact Precautions

Contact precautions are used for patients with diseases that are spread through direct and indirect contact.

Precautions:▫ Isolation room▫ Gowns and gloves▫ Equipment precautions

Examples of diseases:▫ MRSA▫ VRE


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Transmission-Based Garments

Special care must be taken when removing transmission-based garments because the items may be contaminated with highly infectious pathogens.

Transmission-based garments must be removed and disposed inside the door of the patient’s room.

Health care workers must not touch the outer surface of any protective garments.

Infection Control

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