INFECTION CONTROL

Infections
Are diseases caused by microbiologic agents. Microbiologic agents are organisms that are too small to be seen with the naked eye and are called : Microorganisms Microbes Germs

*Most infections occur as a result of microorganisms entering the body through a wound or the respiratory system andnot all microorganisms cause disease; some are essential to life( ex: microbes that aid in digestion)

Pathogens: an infectious microorganism that cause disease Idiopathic: a disease where cause or the origin is unknown Iatrogenic: disease that results from contact from a healthcare professional

MICROORGANISMS

BACTERIA VIRUSES FUNGI PROTOZOAN PARASITES

BACTERIA
Bacteria: very small single celled microorganisms (TB, Strep throat, Salmonella, Lyme disease) Rod shaped, spiral, spherical Therapy: antibiotics; man made or naturally occurring substance which is used to destroy microorganisms within the body.

VIRUSES
The smallest microorganisms that are known to produce disease in humans. Cannot live outside a cell Need a host to survive and replicate Ex: common cold, influenza, HIV, AIDS, mumps, measles, mononucleosis, herpes, hepatitis.

FUNGI
Exists in 2 forms:
Yeast & mold; usually infect moistcovered regions of the body

Ringworm, mold, athletes foot

PROTOZOAN PARASITES

An organism that spends part of its existence on or in another organism.

Ex: malaria

The establishment of Infectious Disease; involves the infectious organism coming into contact with the host. Response to the organism will vary with the host.

Source: person with or incubation the disease Host: any person with a reduced natural resistance to infection Fomite: an inanimate object, such as a clothing, or a table that is not itself harmful but is able to harbor pathogenic microorganisms ( xray table, soiled linen, needles)

Cleaning Equipment at Work

According to the EPA (environmental protection agency)
Clean with the following solution:

Sodium Hypochlorite( Chlorine Bleach) and water at a ratio of 1: 101 part bleach, 10 parts water
* most hospitals use prepared commercial cleaning solutions

Infection
Encounter: the contact of the organism with the host ( begins in the normal birthing process) Entry: the entrance of a microbe into the body (respiratory & digestive systems) Spread: the propagation of infectious organisms Multiplication: the increase in the number of microbes Damage: destruction that the microbes cause to the host

OUTCOME
Result of the infectious agent encounter with the host: a. The host eliminates the infectious agent b. The infectious agent overcomes the host and causes disease c. The host and the infectious agent live in harmony

Methods of transmission of infection

DIRECT- contact with the infected person or animal with the disease
Touching blood, bodily fluids

INDIRECT-touching objects that have been contaminated

Contaminated dressing

DROPLET- infectious secretions

Coughing, sneezing, talking

VEHICLES- transport of infection

Food or water that are contaminated

AIRBORNE- diseased microorganisms suspended in air

Diseases in the air

VECTORS- insects or animals that carry a disease

Ticks spreading lyme disease

STAGES OF INFECTIOUS PROCESS

Incubation or Latent : pathogens enter the host but there are apparent signs of illness or clinical symptoms. The period when microorganisms reproduce Prodromal Stage: early signs and symptoms of disease are present( general feelings: ex: tiredness)

Active or Full phase: complete symptoms are manifested

in the patient ( fever, cough, chickenpox, measles)

Convalescence phase: periodic of recovery; few days to

many months, depending on severity

NOSOCOMIAL INFECTION
infections acquired while receiving medical care in a hospital Common Nosocomial infections:

Urinary tract infections Respiratory infections Wound infections secondary to surgical procedures

Microbial Environmental Control

Asepsis: means freedom from infection Ex: surgical asepsis medical asepsis: ALAP- Hwash Sterilization: the process of complete destruction or elimination of all microorganisms

HANDWASHING
Single most important means of preventing infection. A form of medical asepsis
HW should take place between working with patients

Methods of sterilization
Autoclaving (steam, most convenient) Gas Chemical (germicide solution) Dry heat ( + 300 degrees) Ionizing radiation Microwaves (non-ionizing rad)

STEAM

DRY HEAT

BARRIER METHODS

Healthcare workers may wear gloves, gowns, protective eye wear, face shields that act as barriers to prevent the spread of infection

ISOLATION TECHNIQUES
The physical separation of the infected person and non-infected persons as a way of breaking the cycle of infection Wash hands before and after entering the room Gloves, gown, mask for the clinician.. Cover/clean any equipment

TYPES OF ISOLATION

Contact Respiratory Disease Specific Strict or Complete Protective

Contact: disease spread by close contact Respiratory: spread by droplet, talking coughing * patient may wear mask, not just others Disease specific: patients with the same disease are roomed together Strict or Complete: use of gloves, masks, and gown when in contact with the patient..highly contagious. Protective: when the patient is in risk. Burn patients, any patient with severe compromised immune systems.

HIV/ AIDS; BODY FLUIDS

Blood Semen Vaginal fluid Breast Milk Other body fluids containing blood Fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord(CSF) Fluid surrounding bone joints (synovial fluid) Fluid surrounding an unborn baby (amnionic)

** blood to blood, sexual contact (unprotected) infected pregnant woman can pass HIV to their baby during pregnancy/birth Breast feeding

HEPATITIS
Viral diseases that affect the LIVER 7 types HC workers are more likely to contract H than HIV There are approximately 10,000 workers infected with Hepatitis each year w/ 200 reported mortalities.
*the actual risk for medical workers contracting hepatitis or AIDS is low

RECAPING NEEDLES
Dont do it: this is the principle means of infection for healthcare workers.
IF YOU MUST (WHEN YOU SHOULD)
1. Place the cap on a flat surface, then remove your hand from the cap 2. With one hand, hold the syringe and use the needle to scoop up the cap 3. When the cap covers the needle completely, use the other hand to secure the cap on the needle hub. Handle the cap at the bottom ONLY

epidemiology

- study of occurrence, distribution, and control of diseases in populations - origin, spread or communication, and eradication of disease

incidence - number of diseased individuals in a defined population

prevalence - proportion of diseased population (i.e. percent)

endemic - constantly present disease

epidemic - abnormally high incidence locally

pandemic - abnormally high incidence over a wide geographic area

outbreak - short-term local increase in a disease

morbidity - all cases, fatal and nonfatal

mortality - fatal cases

herd immunity - if the proportion of immune individuals is sufficiently high, then the whole population is protected