Ms. Carey Orientation to Health occupations Infection Control Ms. Carey Orientation to Health occupations This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

Understanding the principles of infection control Healthcare workers must understand the basic principles of infection control to protect themselves and their patients. They must know how disease is transmitted and how to prevent disease transmission. A microorganism is a small, living organism that is not visible to the naked eye. You must use a microscope to see them. Found everywhere in the environment Found on and in the human body Many are part of normal flora of body and mAy be beneficial to your health

Microorganisms (also called microbes) Found everywhere in the environment Found on and in the human body -Nonpathogens – beneficial to the human body -Pathogens – cause infection or disease Most need warm, dark, moist environments Some need oxygen (aerobic) and some do not (anaerobic) The human body is the perfect environment for microorganisms to LIVE

Classification of microorganisms Bacteria Protozoa Fungi Rickettsiae Viruses

bacteria Simple one-celled Plantlike organisms Multiply rapidly Classified by shape and arrangement -cocci – round in shape (figure 13-1) in pairs – diplococci (pneumonia) in chains – streptococcus (strep throat) In clusters – staphylococci (pus-producing, like boils, skin, and wound infections)

Bacteria cont’d -Bacilli are rod shaped (Figure 13.2) Occur singly, in pairs, or in chains May have flagella (like tails) Ability to form spores (thick walled capsules) which make them hard to kill Cause diseases like tuberculosis, tetanus, botulism, typhoid

Bacteria cont’d Spirilla - spiral or corkscrew shape (Figure 13-3) -cause syphilis and cholera

Antibiotic resistance Antibiotics are used to kill bacteria Some have become antibiotic-resistant. When bacteria become antibiotic resistant, antibiotics are no longer effective. http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-antibiotics-become-resistant-over-time-kevin-wu

protozoa One-celled, animal-like organisms (figure 13-4) Found in decayed materials and contaminated water May have flagella for movement Some are pathogenic – harmful, causing disease Examples: malaria, trichomonas, amebic dysentery

Fungi Simple, plant-like organisms Live on dead organic matter Yeast and molds Can be pathogenic Examples: ringworm. Athlete’s foot, thrush (fig 13-5)

rickettsiae Parasitic microorganisms - Cannot live outside the cells of another living organism Transmitted to humans by the bites of insects (e.g., fleas, lice, ticks, mites) Examples: Rocky Mountain spotted fever

viruses Smallest microorganisms -Must use electron microscope to see Must be inside another living cell to reproduce Spread by blood and body secretions Very difficult to kill – they are resistant to many disinfectants antibiotics will not kill viruses Cause many diseases – common cold, measles, mumps, chicken pox, herpes, warts, the flu, polio, Ebola, hepatitis a, b, and c https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rpj0emE GShQ&feature=share This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

Viruses – hepatitis b Caused by HBV Transmitted by blood, serum, and body secretions Affects the liver Vaccine available for protection Vaccine is expensive – it’s a series of three shots OSHA states that By law, Health care workers who may be exposed to blood or body fluids must be offered the vaccine for free from their employers This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA

Hepatitis c Caused by HCV Transmitted by blood and blood-containing body fluids Many infected individuals are asymptomatic (have no symptoms) Others have mild symptoms – like the flu Can cause severe liver damage Currently, no vaccine is ready for use Vaccine is in development stage Very hard to kill – can survive in dried blood for several days This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

Aids – acquired immunodeficiency syndrome Caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Suppresses the immune system Individual becomes susceptible to cancers and infections that would not affect a healthy person No cure and no vaccine Take precautions for prevention Transmitted through blood and bodily fluids This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

Types of infections Infections and diseases are classified as: Endogenous - one that originates within the body (tumors, heart disease, diabetes, etc...) Exogenous – one that originates outside the body (pathogenic organisms – germs, radiation, trauma, electric shock, etc…) Nosocomial – an infection that is acquired in a health care Facility (such as a hospital or nursing home). They are transmitted by health care workers to the patient Opportunistic – occur when the body’s defenses are weak, such as with HIV

Chain of infection Organism – the pathogen (the bacteria or virus) Reservoir – the area the bacteria or virus lives (human body, fomites, animals, the environment) A fomite is an object that is contaminated with a pathogen, like a doorknob, bedpan, desk, textbook (yuck!) Portal of exit – a way for the pathogen to escape (urine, blood, draining wounds, saliva, droplets from a sneeze, eTC…) transmission – a way the pathogen can be transmitted (person-to- person, bug bite, touching contaminated objects unwashed hands!) Portal of entry – a way for a pathogen to enter the new reservoir or host breaks in the skin, respiratory tract, digestive tract, mucous membranes Vulnerable host – person likely to get an infection, usually because their body defenses are weak.

How to break the chain of infection If you can eliminate any part of the chain, the spread of disease or infection will be stopped What are some ways you can break the chain of infection? * Handwashing – most effective method of Breaking the chain of infection *Immunizations *Proper disposal of contaminated objects *proper food handling *wearing proper personal protective Equipment (PPE) This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC

aseptic techniques Pathogens are everywhere Contaminated means that pathogens and organisms are present Asepsis is the absence of disease causing microorganisms, or pathogens This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

Common aseptic techniques include: Handwashing Good personal hygiene Use of disposable gloves Proper cleaning of instruments and equipment Thorough cleaning of the environment This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

Aseptic techniques cont’d Antisepsis—can be used on the skin – the use of antiseptics to prevent or inhibit growth of pathogenic organisms. Not effective on spores or viruses. Examples of Antiseptics are Listerine, alcohol, iodine, hydrogen peroxide. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

Disinfection—used mainly on objects, can damage or irritate skin Disinfection—used mainly on objects, can damage or irritate skin. Process that destroys or kills pathogenic organisms. Not always effective on spores or viruses (Does not kill all micro-organisms – 99.99%) This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA

Sterilization—use of steam under pressure, gas, radiation, and chemicals on objects. This process destroys all microorganisms This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

Standard precautions Standard precautions were developed by the CDC – the Centers for disease control and prevention. Standard precautions state that you should treat all body fluids (except sweat) and all patients as infectious.

Bloodborne Pathogens hepatitis c hiv Bloodborne pathogens are pathogens that are spread through blood and body fluids. The three bloodborne pathogens that health care workers must protect themselves from are: Hepatitis B hepatitis c hiv This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

PPE Personal protective equipment Gloves gown goggles (protective eyewear) mask This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

Sharps container To protect themselves from contact with sharp objects that may be contaminated with pathogens, health care workers dispose of sharp objects in a sharps container which has hard, rigid sides, which sharp objects cannot penetrate. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

All infectious waste must be placed in a biohazardous waste bag. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

Bloodborne pathogens standard Osha sets standards that must be followed by health care facilities to protect its workers. Three of these standards are: They must provide PPE They must provide yearly training They must provide the hepatitis b vaccine at no cost to the employee. If the employee does not want it, they must sign a written release. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA