Infection Control

 Small living organisms invisible to the naked eye  Some beneficial…some pathogenic while some helpful  Types: bacteria, protozoa, fungi, rickettsiae, virus  Anaerobic organisms: live without oxygen (treat with hyperbaric pressure)  Aerobic: need oxygen to live

 Pathogenic  Opportunistic Occurs when immune system is compromised (i.e. Aids patients)  Nosocomial Acquired while hospitalized

 One celled that multiply rapidly  Classified by shape and arrangement  Diseases: necrotizing fascitis, TB ( airborne), gonorrhea, chlamydia

 One celled often found in decaying materials and contaminated water  May contain flagella which aid in movement  Some are pathogenic i.e. malaria, trichomonas

 Plantlike organism that lives on dead, organic matter  Some pathogenic: yeast, mold  Diseases from fungi: thrush (candida albicans), ringworm, athletes foot  Cannot be killed by antibiotics

 Micro-parasite that lives within an organism  Commonly found in fleas, ticks, and mites  Transmitted by bite of organism  Common diseases: typhus fever, rocky mountain spotted fever  Many killed with antibiotics

 Smallest living organism  Lives in other living things  Cannot reproduce without being in another living cell  Spread by blood and bodily fluids  Difficult to kill…not antibiotics…many resistant to disinfectants  i.e. hepatitis, Aids, rhino virus

 Breaks the chain of infection Most important step in preventing infection is handwashing i.e. mouth pieces used in cpr prevent contamination  Also called Universal Precautions  Barriers used on every patient where there may be blood or body fluid exposure  i.e. gloves, mask gown (PPE = personal protective equipment)

 Standard – Universal precautions  Contact – gloves, gown  Respiratory (system with portals of entry) – respirator mask  Droplet – requires PPE within 3 feet of patient

 Isolation precautions may be needed (2 persons needed to transfer things out of an isolation unit)  Protective / Reverse isolation – protects patients who are immunocompromised

 Developed standards concerning standard precaution guidelines  Page 136 in resource guide…Standard precautions rules developed by the FDA and CDC  Complete Infection Control Review pg 138 in resource guide

 Used for aseptic control…however does not kill spores or viruses  Typically used for instruments or items that do not penetrate body tissue (i.e. percussion hammers, thermometers)

 Usually a chemical 90% isopropyl alcohol (antisepsis….inhibiting microbial growth…alcohol swab) 10% bleach solution Lysol 15 – 30 mins in boiling water Time needed for disinfection action of a particular chemical is on the label…read a label 3 times before use!  Ultrasonic unit commonly used in dental and medical offices to disinfect Uses sound waves to create millions of bubbles Bubbles then hit an instrument and explode driving cleaning solution into instrument

 Steam under pressure  Destroys ALL microbes (including spores and viruses)

 Instruments must be clean and wrapped in a steam-penetrating material with an indicator strip included or wrapped around wrapping  May not be used on instruments that are sensitive to steam / water (i.e. reflex hammers…due to the rubber tip)

 Frees objects from ALL microorganisms  Autoclave is a type of sterilization  Sterile = free from all microogranisms  Contaminated = organisms / pathogens are present

 Area free from all pathogens  Need clean working area to open / work with sterile package or equipment  Do not reach over sterile field  1 – 2 inch border considered contaminated

 Never turn your back on a sterile field  Sterile gloves are contaminated on the inside