Infection Control & Principles Of Asepsis Flashcards by Andria T

Definition of Asepsis

Absence of microorganisms

Includes:
- Medical
- Surgical

Examples:

Examples of surgical asepsis include the use of disposable sterile supplies, such as syringes, needles, and surgical gloves; and the use of reusable sterile equipment, such as surgical instruments

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Definition of Infection

Invasion of the body by pathogenic microorganisms
(Bacteria, virus)

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Definition of Contaminated

Soiled with microorganisms

For example:
- Used injections, when a material is soiled it is considered contaminated

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Definition of Disinfection

Reduction of microorganisms without destroying the spores

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Definition of Spores

Inactive but viable state of microorganisms

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Definition of sterile

Free from microorganisms but not the spores

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Definition of pathogenicity

Ability to produce disease

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Definition of Opportunistic pathogen

Pathogen that causes disease only to susceptible individuals

Susceptible individuals - Prone to getting the disease and has a weakened immune system

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Definition of carrier

Person or animal that harbors an infectious agent and capable of transferring it to other persons.

For example:
- COVID-19 you might have no symptoms but you are carrying the infection

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Definition of Colonization

Presence of microorganisms in the body secretions or excretions that does not cause illness.

For example:
- Sweat
- Blood
- Nasel

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State the Chain of infection (6)

Etiologic Agent
Reservoir
Portal of exit
Mode of transmission
Portal of entry
Susceptible host

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Description of Etiologic Agent

Disease- causing microorganisms including
- bacteria
- virus
- fungi
- parasites

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Description of Reservoir

Is a place where microorganisms survive, multiply, and await transfer to a susceptible host.
- Human beings
- Animals
- Inanimate objects
- Plants
- General environment (air, water, soil)

The house of the microorganism

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Description of Portal of Exit from Reservoir

After microorganisms find a site to grow and multiply, they need to find a portal of exit if they are to enter another host and cause disease
- Sputum - Phlegm
- Emesis - Vomit
- Stool
- Blood

When the microorganism gets stronger

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Description of Common Portal of Exit

Respiratory: Droplets, sputum

GI tract: Vomitus, feces, saliva, drainage tubes

Urinary: Urine, urethral catheters

Reproductive: Semen, vaginal discharge

Blood: Open wound, needle puncture site

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Description of Mode of Transmission

Contact transmission

Direct contact
- Involves immediate and direct transfer of microorganisms from person to person through touching, biting, kissing, or sexual intercourse.

Indirect contact
- Vehicle borne
- Vector borne - mosquitos

Examples of Contact Transmission

A. Colonization or infection with a multidrug-resistant organism

B. Enteric infections, such as Clostridium difficile

C. Respiratory infections, such as respiratory syncytial virus

D. H1N1 influenza: Infection can occur by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching the mouth or nose.

E. Wound infections

F. Skin infections (cutaneous diphtheria, herpes simplex, impetigo, pediculosis, scabies, staphylococci, and varicella zoster

G. Eye infection such as conjunctivitis

MNEMONICS
MRS WEE
M - ultidrug resistant organism
R - espiratory infection
S - kin infections *
W - ound infection
E - nteric infection - clostridium difficile
E - ye infection - conjunctivitis

SKIN INFECTIONS (VCHIPS)
V - aricella zoster
C - utaneous diphtheria
H - erpes simplex
I - mpetigo
P - ediculosis
S - cabies

Description of Indirect transmission

Vehicle borne transmission

Any substance that serves as an intermediate means to transport and introduce an infectious agent into a susceptible host through a suitable portal of entry.

Examples:
Fomites (inanimate materials or objects)
- Handkerchiefs
- Toys
- Soiled clothes
- Cooking or eating utensils
- Surgical instruments or dressings

Description of indirect transmission

Vector borne transmission

A vector is an animal or flying or crawling insect that serves as an intermediate means of transporting the infectious agent.

Transmission may occur by Injecting salivary fluid during biting or by depositing feces or other materials on the skin through the bite wound or a traumatized skin area.

Examples:
- Leptospirosis - Rat
- Schistosomiasis - Snail
- Shellfish poisoning - Shellfish
- Filariasis - Worms
- Dengue - Mosquito
- Malaria

Description of Airborne Transmission

Droplet nuclei or residue or evaporated droplets suspended in air during coughing or sneezing or carried on dust particles
It may involve droplets or dust
Droplet nuclei, the residue of evaporated droplets emitted by an infected host such as someone with tuberculosis, can remain in the air for long periods
Dust particles containing the infectious agent (e.g., C. difficile, spores from the soil) can also become airborne. The material is transmitted by air currents to a suitable portal of entry, usually the respiratory tract, of another person

Examples:
- Measles
- Chickenpox (varicella)
- Disseminated varicella zoster
- Tuberculosis

Mnemonic of the airborne transmission

My Chicken Hez TB / MTV

My - Measles
Chicken - Chicken Pox / Varicella
Hez - Herpes Zoster/ Shingles
TB (tuberculosis)

M - easles
TB
V - aricella-Chicken Pox / Herpes Zoster-Shingles

Examples of Droplet Transmission

A. Adenovirus
B. Diphtheria (pharyngeal)
C. Epiglottitis
D. Influenza, including H1N1 influenza
E. Meningitis
F. Mumps
G. Mycoplasmal pneumonia or meningococcal pneumonia
H. Parvovirus B19
I. Pertussis
J. Pneumonia
K. Rubella
L. Scarlet fever
M. Sepsis
N. Streptococcal pharyngitis

Think of SPIDER-MAN

S - sepsis
S - scarlet fever
S - streptococcal pharyngitis
P - parvovirus B19
P - pneumonia
P - pertussis
I - influenza
D - diphtheria (pharyngeal)
E - Epiglottitis
R - rubella
M - mumps
M - meningitis
M - mycoplasma or meningeal pneumonia
An - Adenovirus

Description of Portal of Entry to the Susceptible Host

Before a person can become infected, microorganisms must enter the

Mucous membrane
Non-intact skin
GI tract
GU tract
Respiratory tract

Description of Susceptible Host

Any person who is at risk for infection

Immunosuppressed children / elderly
Chronically ill clients
Clients with trauma or injury

Steps of infectious process

Infections follow a progressive course: 1. Incubation stage 2. Prodromal stage 3. Illness stage 4. Convalescent stage

Description of the the Incubation Stage

Interval between entrance of pathogen into body and appearance of first symptoms. Example: - Chickenpox - 14 to 16 days after exposure - Common cold - 1 to 2 days - Influenza - 1 to 4 days - Measles - 10 to 12 days - Mumps - 16 to 18 days - Ebola - 2 to 21 days

Description of Prodromal stage

Interval from onset of nonspecific signs and symptoms (malaise, low-grade fever, fatigue) to more specific symptoms. Example: - Herpes simplex begins with itching and tingling at the site before the lesion appears.

Description of illness stage

Interval when patient manifests signs and symptoms specific to type of infection. Example: 1. Strep throat is manifested by sore throat, pain, and swelling 2. Mumps is manifested by high fever, parotid and salivary gland swelling

Description of Convalescent stage

Interval when acute symptoms of infection disappear length of recovery depends on severity of infection and patient's host resistance and recovery may take several days to months.

Description of Health Care Associated Infections

- A. K. A nonsocomial infections and / or hospital acquired infections - Acquired in a hospital or other health care facility that were not present or incubating at the time of a client’s admission

How to break the chain of infection

Decrease source of microorganisms - Wash hands - Decontaminate surfaces and equipment - Avoid contact when contagious Prevent transmission of microorganisms - Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) - Follow isolation precautions Maximize resistance - Provide good hygiene - Ensure proper nutrition and fluid intake - Decrease stressors that weaken immune response

Breaking the chain of infection (2)

1. Standard precautions - Use of PPE (module) - Aseptic Techniques (module) 2. Transmission-based Precautions

description of transmission-based precaution

Used in addition to standard precautions for patients with suspected infection with pathogens that can be transmitted by - airborne - droplet - contact routes

Description of airborne precautions

- used for patients who have infections that spread through the air such as tuberculosis, varicella (chicken pox), rubeola (measles), and possibly severe acute respiratory syndrome . - Focus on diseases that are transmitted by smaller droplets, which remain in the air for longer periods of time.

Description of droplet precautions

- Focus on diseases that are transmitted by large droplets (greater than 5 microns) expelled into the air and by being within 3 feet of a patient. (ex rubella, mumps, diphtheria) - Droplet precautions require the wearing of a surgical mask when within 3 feet of the patient, proper hand hygiene, and some dedicated-care equipment.

Description of contact precautions

- used for direct and indirect contact with patients and their environment. - Direct contact refers to the care and handling of contaminated body fluids - Contact precautions require a gown and gloves. - Indirect contact involves the transfer of an infectious agent through a contaminated intermediate object such as contaminated instruments or hands of health care workers. - Observe Contact Precautions in the presence of excessive wound drainage, fecal incontinence, or other discharges from the body that suggest an increased potential for extensive environmental contamination and risk of transmission. - Place patient in a private room if available. - Wear PPE whenever you enter the room for all interactions that may involve contact with the patient and potentially contaminated areas in the patient’s environment.