Terminologies

Infection -invasion of body tissue by microorganisms & their proliferation. Asepsis- absence of disease-producing microorganisms/ being free from infection. Medical Asepsis- Clean Technique; practice designed to reduce the number & transfer of pathogens. Surgical Asepsis- Sterile Technique practices designed to keep objects/areas free from microorganisms. Sepsis- state of being infected.

Septicemia- infection through the body or blood

Carrier- a person or an animal, who is w/o signs of illness but who harbors pathogens w/ his body that can be transferred to another.

Terminologies
Contact- a person/animal known or believed to have been exposed to a disease. Reservoir- natural habitat for growth & multiplication of microorganisms. Transient Flora- microorganisms picked up by the skin as a result of normal activity that can be removed readily. Resident Flora- microorganism that normally lives on a persons skin. Sterilization- process by w/c all microorganisms including their spores are destroyed. Disinfectant- destroys pathogens but not the spores usually intended for use on inanimate objects Antiseptic- a substance usually intended for use in persons that inhibit growth of pathogen but not necessarily destroys them.

Terminologies
Bactericidal- chemical that kills microorganisms. Bacteriostatic- prevents bacterial multiplication but does not kill all forms of microorganisms. Contamination- process by which something is rendered unclean/unsterile. Bacteremia- culture of blood reveals microorganisms in an individual Disinfection- process by which pathogens but not their spores are destroyed from inanimate objects. Fomites- inanimate materials or objects that act as vehicles e.g utensils,handkerchiefs

Terminologies
Communicable Disease- results if infectious agent can be transmitted to an individual. Infectious Disease- invasion & multiplication of microorganisms in a host. Pathogen- a disease producing microorganism. Pathogenecity- the ability to produce a disease. Virulence- the vigor w/c the organism can grow & multiply.

Etiology- causation of disease/ study of causes

Disease- detectable alteration in an individuals function

Types of Microorganisms Causing Infections: -Bacteria (most common) - Viruses (rhinovirus,Herpes,Hepatitis) Fungi (yeasts & molds) - Parasites (protozoa, worms) Types of Infections: Local- limited or confined to specific area of the body. Systemic- when microorganisms spread & damage other parts of the body. Acute Infection Chronic Infection Nosocomial infections- hospital acquired; associated with delivery of health care services. ENDOGENOUS- from clients themselves EXOGENOUS- hospital environment/personnel IATROGENIC- results from diagnostic or therapeutic procedures

STAGES OF INFECTIOUS PROCESS:

Incubation Period- entry of microorganismsonset of signs & symptoms Prodromal Period- onset of non specific signs & symptomsappearance of specific ones Illness Period- specific signs & symptoms become evident. Convalescent period- Signs & symptoms (abate)normal state of health

Etiologic Agent- microorganism bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites (depends on virulence) Reservoir- source (humans, animals, plants, general environment) Portal of Exit: Respiratory: droplets, sputum Gastrointestinal: vomitus, feces, saliva, drainage tubes Urinary: urine, urethral catheters Reproductive: semen, vaginal discharge Blood: open wound, needles, puncture site Integumentary: skin

Mode of Transmission a. Contact- This may be: DIRECT- immediate/ direct transfer from person to person (body body);HANDS-most common

INDIRECT- exposure to contaminated objects

b. Droplet- contact; mucous membranes exposed to secretionscoughing, sneezing, laughing, talking c. Vehicle- contaminated items transmit pathogens Ex: food, H2O, pillows, mattress

d. Airborne- fine particles are suspended in air containing pathogens. e. Vectorborne- transports the infectious agent & can be: BIOLOGIC- animals, flying or crawling insects MECHANICAL- inanimate objects that are infected w/ infected body fluids e.g needes/syringes Portal of Entry- entry to hostbody orifices such as mouth, nose, ears, eyes, vagina ,rectum, urethra SUSCEPTIBLE- any person @ risk; have propensity to develop numerous types of infection

1. HANDWASHING- universal precaution; single most important infection control practice 2. CLEANING, DISINFECTION & STERILIZATION Cleaning- physical removal of dirt and debris. Disinfection- process by which pathogens but not their spores are destroyed from inanimate objects.

Types: Concurrent- ongoing practices observed in the care of the client Terminal- done after illness is no longer communicable
Sterilization- complete destruction of microorganisms including spores, leaving no viable forms of organisms. Methods: Steam- Autoclaving use of supersaturated steam under pressure. Gas- 2 to 5 hours; expensive, uses Ethylene Oxide; used to sterilize stethoscopes, oxygen/suction gauges Radiation- use of rays/ultraviolet light to sterilize food, drugs that are sensitive to heat. Chemicals- use of disinfectant/chemicals e.g chlorine Boiling Water- use in the ousehold; 15 minutes

3. USE OF BARRIERS- techniques in preventing transfer of pathogens a. Masks b. Gowns c. Caps d. Shoe Coverings e.Gloves f. Goggles/face shields 4. ISOLATION SYSTEMS- techniques to limit spread of infection Standard- universal precaution plus body substance precaution/isolation Wear gloves when touching blood/body fluids,etc. Perform handwashing Discard single use items NEVER RECAP NEEDLES.

5. SURGICAL ASEPSIS Principles: Moisture causes contamination. Never assume that an object is sterile. Always face the sterile field. Practice the concept of sterile to sterile & dirty to dirty principle. Sterile equipment or areas must be kept above the waist and on top of the field. Prevent unnecessary traffic and air currents around the sterile area like overreaching. Open, unused articles are no longer sterile after the procedure.