1. Chapter 22: Infection Control

2. Infection Control Infectious diseases
Contagious or communicable diseases and community-acquired infections
Persistence of infectious diseases
The current public health problem of AIDS, HIV, and SARS

3. Infection
Infection: condition that results when microorganisms cause injury to a host
Colonization: condition that results when microbes are present but host is without signs or symptoms of infection
Progress of infections through distinct stages

4. Question #1 Is the following statement true or false?
Colonization is a condition that results when microorganisms cause injury to a host.

5. Answer to Question #1
False. Colonization is a condition in which microorganisms are present, but the host does not manifest any signs or symptoms of infection.

6. Five Stages Infectious Disease
Incubation period-agent reproduces but no recognizable symptoms
Prodromal stage-Initial symptoms appear
Acute stage-symptoms more severe and specific to tissue or organ
Convalescent stage-symptoms subside
Resolution-pathogen is destroyed, health improves

7. Infection Control Precautions #1
Infection control precautions: physical measures designed to curtail the spread of infectious diseases
Infection control practices include the following:
•  Hand hygiene and hand antisepsis measures (see Chap. 10)
•  Using standard precautions
•  Following transmission-based precautions
•  Wearing personal protective equipment
•  Cleaning, disinfecting, or sterilizing equipment used by more than one client (see Chap. 10)
•  Keeping the client’s environment clean (see Chap. 10)

8. Infection Control Precautions #2
Standard precautions: reduce transmission of microorganisms from both recognized and unrecognized sources of blood, body fluids (except sweat), nonintact skin, mucous membrances

9. Three new precautions:
Respiratory Hygiene/ Cough Etiquette (using a tissue or other alternative, prompt disposal, hand hygiene, surgical mask, and distance)
Safe Injection Practices (aseptic techniques: single-dose vials, single-use disposable syringe, and prevent the contamination of injection equipment and medication)
Special Lumbar Puncture Procedures (person performing the procedure must wear a mask in addition to the usual PPE)

10. Infection Control Precautions #3
Transmission-based precautions (aka: isolation precautions)-to control the spread of highly transmissible or epidemiologically important infectious agents
When standard precautions are not enough:
Airborne-TB, measles, SARS
Droplet-Influenza, rubella, pertussis
Contact-MRSA, acute diarrhea, gas gangrene

11. Question #2
Precautions that are used to reduce pathogen transmission from close contact, usually 3 feet or less, belong to which category of precautions?
a. Droplet
b. Contact
c. Airborne
d. Isolation

12. Answer to Question #2
a. Droplet Droplet precautions are measures that block pathogens within moist droplets larger than 5 microns. They are used to reduce pathogen transmission from close contact (usually 3 feet or less) between an infected person or a person who is a carrier of a droplet-spread microorganism and others.

13. Question #3 Is the following statement true or false?
Transmission-based precautions were formerly called universal precautions.

14. Answer to Question #3
False. Transmission-based precautions are also called isolation precautions and are measures for controlling the spread of infectious agents from clients known to be or suspected of being infected with highly transmissible or epidemiologically important pathogens.

15. Transmission Based Precautions
Airborne infection
Droplet infection
Contact infection
See table 22-2 page 494

16. Infection Control Measures #1
Personal protective equipment
The purpose and characteristics of cover gowns
Face-protection devices
Gloves

17. Infection Control Measures #2
Personal protective equipment (cont’d)
Removing personal protective equipment
Disposing of contaminated linen, equipment, and supplies
Double bagging

18. Infection Control Measures #3
Client environment
Infection control room
Equipment and supplies
Methods of discarding biodegradable trash
Removing reusable items
Delivering laboratory specimens
Transporting clients with infectious diseases
Suggestions for preventing infections

21. Question #4 Is the following statement true or false?
Biodegradable trash can be flushed down the toilet in the client’s room.

22. Answer to Question #4
True. Biodegradable trash is refuse that will decompose naturally into less complex compounds. It includes items such as unconsumed beverages, paper tissues, the contents of drainage collectors, urine, and stool. All these items can be flushed down the toilet in the client’s room.

23. Psychological Implications
Being attentive to client sensibilities
Promoting social interaction
Combating sensory deprivation

24. General Gerontologic Considerations #1
Susceptibility to infections among older clients due to decreased immune system function and inadequate fluid/nutrition intake
Subtler symptoms of infections among older adults
Infections more likely to have a rapid course and life-threatening consequences once established

25. General Gerontologic Considerations #2
Change in behavior and mental status can signal infectious process
The high incidence of TB among older adults, especially those in long-term care
Maintaining intact skin is excellent first-line defense against nosocomial infections
Prompt perineal hygiene is best technique for preventing urinary tract infections