1 Infection Control Geriatric Aide Curriculum NC Division of Health Service Regulation Module 4

2 Infection Control Objectives 1.Define vocabulary words related to infection control. 2.Describe the history of infection control. 3.Discuss the importance of infection control measures, such as handwashing and good personal hygiene. 4.Demonstrate good handwashing technique.

3 Infection Control Objectives 5.Describe how germs spread. 6.Describe each link in the chain of infection. 7.Relate the chain of infection to the work of nurse aides. 8.Describe the signs and symptoms of infection to report to the nurse. 9.Compare standard precautions and transmission-based precautions.

4 Infections 2 million infections start in facilities each year 70,000 people die each year as a result Each of these infections costs $30,000 US spends over $45 billion yearly on facility acquired infections Leading cause of death in nursing home is infection Infections lower quality of life Nurse aides can decrease occurrence of infection in facilities

5 Infection Control Fascinating Facts Infection Control prior to 1595 Infection Control in the 1800’s Infection Control in the present time. MRSA Hepatitis Tuberculosis

6 Cough Staph, Strep, Yeast, Dipthoids

7 Work Shoes Everything

8 Unwashed Hands Two Types of Fungus and Staph, Strep

9 Unwashed Hands Staph

10 Unwashed Hands Pseudomonas, Staph, Gram Positive, Gram Negative Rods

11 Handwashing

12 How Germs Spread

13 Chain of Infection Infectious agent Reservoir Portal of exit Mode of transmission Portal of entry Susceptible host

14 What Has This Got To Do With Nurse Aides? Work in an environment that encourages infection Residents are elderly and susceptible to disease Health care is facing new dangers

15 Breaking the Chain of Infection Infectious agent Reservoir Portal of exit Mode of transmission Portal of entry Susceptible host

16 Signs and Symptoms of Infection Confusion, dizziness, sudden onset of falls Fever Fast breathing or fast heart beat Pain or tenderness of the affected area or all over Loss of energy Loss of appetite Nausea Vomiting

17 Signs and Symptoms of Infection Diarrhea Rash Sores on mucus membranes Redness and swelling of a body part Discharge or drainage from the infected area Cloudy and/or foul/thick urine Painful and/or difficult urination Foot blisters, cracks, change in color

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19 Mumps: Mumps is spread by mucus from the nose or throat of an infected person, usually when a person coughs or sneezes. Pink eye: Infectious forms of pink eye are highly contagious and are spread by touching the infected person or something the infected person has touched after rubbing the eyes. TB: TB germs are put into the air when a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings. These germs can float in the air for several hours, depending on the environment. Persons who breathe in air containing these TB germs can become infected.

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