Infection Control and Disease Prevention

Infection Control Microorganism – a small living organism that is not visible to the naked eye; found everywhere in the environment Microorganism – a small living organism that is not visible to the naked eye; found everywhere in the environment Normal flora - plant life adapted for living in a specific environment; important for maintaining certain body processes; non- pathogenic Normal flora - plant life adapted for living in a specific environment; important for maintaining certain body processes; non- pathogenic Pathogen - disease or infection causing microorganism Pathogen - disease or infection causing microorganism

Types of Microorganisms Bacteria Bacteria Simple, one-celled organisms that multiply rapidlySimple, one-celled organisms that multiply rapidly Examples of disease caused by bacteria include gonorrhea, meningitis, strep throat, botulismExamples of disease caused by bacteria include gonorrhea, meningitis, strep throat, botulism Antibiotics are used to kill bacteriaAntibiotics are used to kill bacteria

Types of Microorganisms Protozoa Protozoa One-celled animal-like organisms often found in decayed materials and contaminated water One-celled animal-like organisms often found in decayed materials and contaminated water Cause diseases such as malaria, amebic dysentery, trichomonas Cause diseases such as malaria, amebic dysentery, trichomonas

Types of Microorganisms Fungi Fungi Simple, plant-like organisms that live on dead organic matter Simple, plant-like organisms that live on dead organic matter Yeasts and molds are two common forms that can be pathogenic Yeasts and molds are two common forms that can be pathogenic Cause diseases such as ring worm, athlete’s foot, yeast vaginitis, and thrush Cause diseases such as ring worm, athlete’s foot, yeast vaginitis, and thrush Treated with antifungals Treated with antifungals

Types of Microorganisms Virus Virus Smallest microorganism, visible only with an electron microscope Smallest microorganism, visible only with an electron microscope Cannot reproduce unless inside another living cell Cannot reproduce unless inside another living cell More difficult to kill because resistant to many disinfectants and are not affected by antibiotics. More difficult to kill because resistant to many disinfectants and are not affected by antibiotics. Cause diseases such as common cold, herpes, chicken pox, AIDS, Hepatitis Cause diseases such as common cold, herpes, chicken pox, AIDS, Hepatitis

Terms Nosocomial infection - acquired by an individual in a health care facility Nosocomial infection - acquired by an individual in a health care facility Opportunistic infection - those that occur when the body’s defenses are weak (Pneumocystis carinii) Opportunistic infection - those that occur when the body’s defenses are weak (Pneumocystis carinii) Disinfection – to cleanse (wounds, rooms, clothing, etc..) of infection Disinfection – to cleanse (wounds, rooms, clothing, etc..) of infection Sterilization - Sterilization - The act or procedure of sterilizing

Chain of Infection Chain of Infection Causative agent (or pathogen) - virus, bacteria, etc. Causative agent (or pathogen) - virus, bacteria, etc. Reservoir - A place where the pathogen can live (human body, the environment, fomites) Reservoir - A place where the pathogen can live (human body, the environment, fomites) Portal of exit - A way for the pathogen to escape the reservoir in which it has been growing (body secretions) Portal of exit - A way for the pathogen to escape the reservoir in which it has been growing (body secretions)

Chain of Infection Cont. Mode of transmission - the way in which the pathogen is transmitted to another reservoir or host where it can live (direct person-to-person contact or direct contact with body secretions) Mode of transmission - the way in which the pathogen is transmitted to another reservoir or host where it can live (direct person-to-person contact or direct contact with body secretions) Portal of entry - the manner in which the pathogen enters a new reservoir or host (break in the skin, respiratory or digestive tract, circulatory system) Portal of entry - the manner in which the pathogen enters a new reservoir or host (break in the skin, respiratory or digestive tract, circulatory system) Susceptible host - a person likely to get an infection or disease Susceptible host - a person likely to get an infection or disease

How do we break the chain of infection????????

Standard Precautions Equipment and methods that prevent the transmission of microorganisms from one person to another. Equipment and methods that prevent the transmission of microorganisms from one person to another. Prior to the diagnosis of AIDS, personal protective equipment was used only in identified infectious processes. Prior to the diagnosis of AIDS, personal protective equipment was used only in identified infectious processes. Became universal with further study of AIDS as a disease. Became universal with further study of AIDS as a disease.

Standard Precautions  Applies to all patients at all times because not all diseases are readily observable.  Gloves should be worn ANYTIME there is ANY possibility of coming into contact with a patients’ body fluids. It is NEVER wrong to put on gloves!!!!!It is NEVER wrong to put on gloves!!!!!

Standard Precautions The HCP should choose what barriers to wear when caring for a patient based on: The HCP should choose what barriers to wear when caring for a patient based on: –the activity performed (vital signs) –the patients illness, and –the amount of exposure to blood and body fluids  Ex: gown and goggles if patient is coughing, bleeding, or has drainage from wounds or body orifices.

Standard Precautions All sharps (needles, razors, etc.) should be disposed of immediately in biohazardous puncture proof sharps containers located in each room. – –Red, plastic container All unknown spills or waste should be treated as potentially hazardous.

Types of Isolation Airborne Precautions - used for patients known (or suspected) to be infected with pathogens transmitted by small particles of evaporated droplets that contain microorganisms. Airborne Precautions - used for patients known (or suspected) to be infected with pathogens transmitted by small particles of evaporated droplets that contain microorganisms. Diseases: rubella, tuberculosis, and shingles. Diseases: rubella, tuberculosis, and shingles.

Types of Isolation Cont. Droplet Precautions - must be followed for a patient known (or suspected) to be infected with pathogens transmitted by large particle droplets expelled during coughing, sneezing, talking, or laughing. Droplet Precautions - must be followed for a patient known (or suspected) to be infected with pathogens transmitted by large particle droplets expelled during coughing, sneezing, talking, or laughing. Diseases: flu, Neisseria meningitis, pertussis, some types of pneumonia, and diphtheria. Diseases: flu, Neisseria meningitis, pertussis, some types of pneumonia, and diphtheria.

Types of Isolation Cont. Contact Precautions - must be followed for any patients known or suspected to be infected with microorganisms that can be transmitted by either direct or indirect contact. Contact Precautions - must be followed for any patients known or suspected to be infected with microorganisms that can be transmitted by either direct or indirect contact. Diseases: GI, respiratory, or skin infection caused by a multi-drug resistant organism (MRSA), incontinent patients infected with E. coli, patients with lice or scabies, and patients with a staph infection. Diseases: GI, respiratory, or skin infection caused by a multi-drug resistant organism (MRSA), incontinent patients infected with E. coli, patients with lice or scabies, and patients with a staph infection. Isolation precautions include the Isolation precautions include the use of gloves, gowns, and disposable use of gloves, gowns, and disposable equipment. equipment.

Types of Isolation Cont. Protective or Reverse Isolation - refers to methods used to protect certain patients from organisms present in the environment. Protective isolation is used mainly for immunocompromised patients, or those whose body defenses are not capable of protecting them from infections. Protective or Reverse Isolation - refers to methods used to protect certain patients from organisms present in the environment. Protective isolation is used mainly for immunocompromised patients, or those whose body defenses are not capable of protecting them from infections. Examples: organ transplant patients, burn patients, patients receiving chemotherapy, and patients whose immune systems have failed (e.g. AIDS). Examples: organ transplant patients, burn patients, patients receiving chemotherapy, and patients whose immune systems have failed (e.g. AIDS). Precautions include frequent disinfecting of the patient’s room and the use of gloves, gowns, and masks. Precautions include frequent disinfecting of the patient’s room and the use of gloves, gowns, and masks.

Body’s Defense Mechanisms Mucous membranes Mucous membranes Cilia Cilia Coughing and sneezing Coughing and sneezing Stomach acid Stomach acid Tears Tears White blood cells White blood cells Fever Fever Inflammation Inflammation

Inflammatory Response The Inflammatory Response is a defensive action which takes into account fluids, hormones, and cells. The Inflammatory Response is a defensive action which takes into account fluids, hormones, and cells. Some symptoms relating to this response are redness, heat, swelling, and pain. Some symptoms relating to this response are redness, heat, swelling, and pain. Other signs of infection include foul smell from drainage, fever, fatigue, rash, nausea, vomiting or loss of appetite. Other signs of infection include foul smell from drainage, fever, fatigue, rash, nausea, vomiting or loss of appetite.

Personal Protective Equipment Gloves Masks Gowns

Standard Precautions Standard precautions Standard precautions Transmission- based precautions Transmission- based precautions –Blood and body fluids –Personal protective equipment

Medical Asepsis Hand washing Hand washing

Removing Contaminated Gloves