Core Concepts Flashcards
(19 cards)
What are some of the consequences of a HAI
10% of NHS pts in Scotland at one time have HAI
Extends stay in hospital more complicated recovery
Delayed return to normal activities
Stress and increased financial costs to pts and families
What are the SICPs
Standard infection control precautions
Prevent cross contamination from recognised and unrecognised sources of infection
Used by all healthcare workers, all care settings all the time
Name some potential sources of infection
Body fluids - blood, saliva Secretions and excretions - vomit (not sweat) Skin scales, non intact skin Coughing and sneezing Mucous membranes Contaminated equipment
What is the chain of infection
The several steps for an infection to occur
Link must be broken somewhere to prevent the infection
What are the 6 links of the chain of infection
Infectious agent - organism with capacity to cause disease
Reservoir - where organism lives and reproduces
Means of exit - from the reservoir
Mode of transmission - how organism transported form one host to another
Means of entry - into the host
Susceptible host - person unable to resist invading organism
How can the chain of infection be broken
Hand hygiene removing infectious agents
Disinfection of dental impressions
Covering open wounds with waterproof dressing
Vaccination
Cleaning environmental surfaces and equipment
Give an example of an infectious agent and think about its chain of infection
Herpes simplex
Reservoir - cold sore
Exit - exudate from cold sore
Transmission - direct/indirect contact, inhalation, inoculation
Entry - Open wounds, RESP Tract
Host - anyone unprotected coming into contact with the contamination
What are intrinsic risks
Those associated or connected with the pt
Very old/very young
Diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease
Lifestyle factors such as smoking and obesity
Nutritional status
Person is immunocompromised (due to HIV)
What are extrinsic risks
External to pt Things done to the pt Surgery tooth extraction Catheterisation Intravenous cannulation
What are the timings for washing hands and using hand gel
Washing hands - 40-60 seconds
Gel - 20-30 seconds
Where are the commonly missed areas on the hands
Between the fingers and thumbs
The thumbs
Fingertips
Explain why skin care is important
Red chapped hands are a sign of neglect
Wetting hands prior to soap and a moisturiser on breaks maintain integrity of the skin
If damage on skin the appropriate waterproof dressing is used
When do u perform hand hygiene
The world health organisation (WHO) made guide
Before Touching the pt
Before a clean procedure
After body fluid exposure risk
After touching the pt
After touching a patents immediate surroundings
When are some other important times for hand hygiene
Before gloves on Before and after keyboard When hands obvs dirty When disposing of waste After blowing or touching your nose
What are some important things to know about alcohol gel
Should not be used when hands are visibly dirty
Not used when pt has CDif or GI infection
Otherwise it is preferred product
Explain some waste mNaagment
If not handled appropriately healthcare waste could lead to enviro contamination injury and infection as it can contain bacteria snd viruses
Duty of care to dispose of properly
What are the waste streams
Domestic stream - black - trivial risk
healthcare stream - orange - low
- yellow - high risk
- red - special or hazardous waste
What is good practise in relation to sharps containers
Must use approved puncture proof containers Don't try and retrieve anything from container Use appropriate size Out of reach of children Close container when not in use Locate at waist height On flat surface Fill to 3/4 full only Must be labelled to dispose of correctly
What is a HAI
Healthcare associated infection
Resulting from a healthcare intervention
Acquired in hospital but may not be present until discharge
