Patient Care In Medical Imaging RAD 233 Abdulrahman Al Sayyari, PhD, MBA, &MS.c

Aseptic Technique and Infection Lecture Four

Infectious Diseases Controlling the spread of infections and disease is one of the technologist’s most important responsibilities. Knowledge of  sources of disease and  the method in which diseases are spread must be understood to correctly prevent disease transmission.

Infectious Diseases Control of infectious disease is of critical importance in healthcare Patients of all ages, and in all states of disease present for radiographic imaging As a healthcare professional the technologist is responsible to maintain patient safety by recognizing sources of infection and taking measures to prevent the spread of infection to all patients, public, staff and themselves.

Infectious Pathogens Pathogens are microorganisms that cause infection and disease in a person, known as a host. One who is ill or has lowered immunity is an ideal host and most susceptible to becoming ill from exposure to infectious pathogens Hospitals provide an excellent environment for growth of pathogens. Sources of pathogens include: – other patients, – personnel and – Equipment Symptoms of infection vary depending on the offending organism, they include: ─ fever, ─ nausea, and, ─ vomiting

Pathogens Viral Diseases Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) which cause AIDS Hepatitis Bacterial Disease Pneumonia Tuberculosis (TB) Staphylococcus aureus infections, often called “staph” infection. Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Viruses A virus is a microorganism, smaller than bacteria that cannot survive on its own. A virus must invade a living cell to survive and multiply. Because viruses mutate when reproducing, it can be difficult for the body to build up resistance, and therefore difficult to treat viral infections Therefore, technologists must be aware of measures to prevent transmission of common viruses in the healthcare environment

Viral Diseases - AIDS treatment No cureControl progress Confidentiality PatientFamily Transmission Sexual Blood Body fluid Precautions Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Strict precaution Acquired ImmunoDeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

Hepatitis is an infection of the liver Hepatitis B and C are the most common types of hepatitis which are contracted by exposure to infected blood or blood products Exposure to contaminated needles presents the greatest risk to technologists for blood borne diseases Technologist must use safety precautions when dealing with all potential sources of blood and body fluids Viral Diseases – Hepatitis

There is no cure for chronic hepatitis B (HBV) infection, however there is a vaccine available to prevent the infection Most employers require healthcare professionals be vaccinated against HBV Hepatitis C (HCV) is caused by a virus, and many affected with acute HCV do not experience symptoms Cirrhosis often develops years after contracting HCV, and liver cancer years later There is no vaccine to prevent HCV infection, therefore technologists must use required methods to prevent contracting HCV HBV vs. HCV

Viral Diseases – Hepatitis Infection Sexual Blood, Blood products Needle stick Symptoms Asympto -matic Jaundice & Stomach pain & Nausea Vomiting Medications Vaccine for B No vaccine for C No cure for chronic Complications Of B & C 5-10 Chronic liver disease liver damage And die Cirrhosis after Years Liver cancer after years

Bacterial Diseases Bacterial infections are an increasingly frequent source of infections in hospitals and healthcare settings. The infections are usually caused by staphylococcal bacteria or streptococcal bacteria Infections are dangerous to staff and patients therefore, thorough infection control measures must be utilized to prevent their spread

Common bacterial infections include: – Pneumonia – Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) – Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) – Clostridium difficile colitis (C. difficile) Bacterial Diseases

Bacterial Diseases - MRSA MRSA: Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. Commonly present in skin and nose. Some easy treated, some not Implicated with antibiotics overuse & poor infection control If not treated, it attacks blood stream, bones, lungs spread by contact with skin, contaminated object. MRSA

Susceptible people are chronic diseased, weaken immune system. More in hospital Mostly transmitted through health care’ hands Hygiene, Clean of contaminated object. Use hospital grade disinfectant, PPE MRSA

In the hospital setting, MRSA is most frequently spread from the healthcare worker to the patient via infected hands of the healthcare worker hand hygiene is imperative before starting and upon completion of any patient exam. MRSA

VRE VRE: Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus. Enterococcus present normally in GI tract & urinary tract Vancomycin is antibiotic prescribed for serious diseases Pathogen presents in feces, urine and blood contaminated with body secretion. Hand hygiene PPE Clean with disinfectant

Clostridium Difficile Colitis (C.difficile) Transmitted through direct touch of feces or contaminated surfaces, Causing severe diarrhea Spore forming bacteria Antibiotic upset normal balance of bacteria in intestine agitate it to overrun it Spore forming bacteria Antibiotic upset normal balance of bacteria in intestine agitate it to overrun it

Patients receiving antibiotics are susceptible to the infection because antibiotics upset the normal balance of bacteria in the intestinal tract, allowing spore forming bacteria to overrun the intestinal tract Clostridium Difficile Colitis (C.difficile)

Hand Hygiene for CDC

General precautions for bacterial infection Place patient in private room Hand wash before and after procedure and when touched soiled items Personal Preventive Equipment PPE

Nosocomial Infection infection which develops following exposure to a healthcare facility or procedure. Most common are: – Urinary Tract (when urinary catheters are inserted using poor sterile technique or when urinary drainage bags are positioned above the level of the urinary bladder) – Bloodstream (by failing to use sterile technique while inserting or caring for a patients intravenous lines or tubes of any type) – wound after surgery (caused by use of unclean equipment) – respiratory infections

Factors increase nosocomial infection Nosocomial Age Elderly and pediatric Nutritional status Obese or malnourished Medical history Poor defense E.g. Broken skin, immunocompromised or patients receiving chemotherapy Inadequate rest, exercise and stress

Cycle of Infection pathogenReservoirExit PortalTransmission Entry portal Susceptible host

Routes of pathogen Transmission Routedescriptiondisease Blood borne Contact with infected blood. Needle stick or broken skin Hepatitis AIDS Airborne Pathogens disperse via droplet or in air during speech. e.g. cough or sneeze TB, MDR TB, measles, chicken box Contact Touching patient himself, blood, body fluid, contaminated surface. MRSA VER CDC

Pathogens Contraction Methods DirectDropletVehicle IndirectAirborneVector

Preventing of Infection Given the increased awareness by patients and the medical community, and considering the prevalence of infectious diseases, the technologist must be aware of their practice and strive to prevent the spread of infections This challenge has become an increasingly important aspect of patient management.

Thank You Questions?