Infection prevention and control

Question 1

What is the chain of infection?

Answer 1

Pathogenic organism -> réservoir -> portal of exit -> mode of transmission -> portal of entry -> susceptible host

‘pretty Rober penguin makes pork scratchings’

Question 2

Examples of pathogen elimination

Answer 2

• environmental cleaning and decontamination e.g. H2O2, spillage management, laundry
• Equipment decontamination
• Antisepsis e.g. pre surgical preparation, MRSA decontamination
• Antibiotic prophylaxis

Question 3

Examples of removing source/reservoir

Answer 3

Hand washing

Environmental decontamination

Question 4

Examples of minimising transmission

Answer 4

Hand washing
PPE clothing
Sterilising equipment
Disposable equipment e.g. syringes

Question 5

Examples of preventing entry/exit

Answer 5

Antiseptic e.g. skin prep
Air Handling - filtration and flow
Sharps management
Patient management - minimise use and and duration of invasive devices

Question 6

Examples of reducing susceptibility

Answer 6

Vaccinations

Start smart then focus (reduce susceptibility to C Diff and multi resistant strains)

Question 7

Sterilisation

Answer 7

Complete killing or removal of all types of microorganism

Question 8

Sterilisation methods

Answer 8

Heat - moist/dry
Chemical - gas/liquid
Filtration
Ionisation radiation - for single use disposable

Question 9

Sterilisation by heat - name 2 examples

Answer 9

Autoclave- steam delivery under high pressure (moist)

Oven - controlled temp cycles (dry)

Question 10

Disinfection

Answer 10

Removal or destruction of sufficient potentially harmful microorganisms, making item safe for use

Question 11

Antisepsis

Answer 11

Disinfectant applied to damage skin/living tissue - kills microorganisms with minimum toxicity