Week 1 Content Flashcards
(20 cards)
What does IPAC stand for?
Infection Prevention and Control
IPAC is essential for reducing the risk of infections in healthcare settings.
What is medical asepsis?
‘Clean technique’ that limits or prevents the transmission of microorganisms
Medical asepsis is critical for protecting health professionals, patients, and the public.
What is surgical asepsis?
‘Sterile technique’ that kills or eliminates microorganisms
Used in procedures where a sterile environment is crucial.
What are nosocomial infections?
Infections that originate in the hospital
Also known as hospital-acquired infections (HAIs).
What does HAI stand for?
Health Associated Infections
Refers to infections that patients acquire during the course of receiving treatment.
What is the Chain of Infection?
A model that explains how infections spread
It includes infectious agents, reservoirs, portals of exit, modes of transmission, portals of entry, and susceptible hosts.
What are Infectious Agents?
Microorganisms capable of spreading disease and illness (Bacteria, parasites, fungi)
These agents are the first link in the Chain of Infection.
Define Reservoirs in the context of infection.
Places in which infectious agents live, grow, and reproduce (people, water, food)
Reservoirs can be living organisms or inanimate objects.
What are Portals of Exit?
Ways in which infectious agents leave the reservoir (Blood, secretions, excretions, skin)
Understanding portals of exit helps in controlling infection spread.
What are Modes of Transmission?
Ways in which infectious agents are spread from reservoir to susceptible host (Physical contact, droplet, airborne)
Transmission modes highlight how infections can be transferred.
What are Portals of Entry?
Ways in which the infectious agent enters a susceptible host (mucous membrane, respiratory system, digestive system, broken skin)
Recognizing portals of entry is crucial for infection prevention.
Who is considered a Susceptible Host?
Individuals with traits that affect their susceptibility and the severity of the disease (Immune deficiency, diabetes, burns, surgery, age)
Certain populations are at greater risk for infections.
What are Standard Precautions?
Tier 1 - Used when handling wounds, there is a risk of splash, coughing, or performing invasive procedures
Standard precautions apply to all patients, regardless of their infection status.
What Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required for routine practices?
Gloves, Gowns
Gloves are worn when there is a risk of exposure to body fluids; gowns are fluid resistant when splash risk exists.
What are Airborne precautions?
Precautions for diseases like SARS, tuberculosis (TB), and measles
Airborne precautions prevent the spread of pathogens that remain suspended in the air.
What are Droplet precautions?
Precautions for diseases like meningitis, pneumonia, influenza, mumps, and rubella
Droplet precautions are necessary when pathogens are spread through respiratory droplets.
What are Contact precautions?
Precautions for diseases like Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus (VRE)
Contact precautions are used to prevent the spread of infections through direct or indirect contact.
What diseases require both Droplet and Contact precautions?
Covid-19 and influenza
These diseases can be transmitted through both respiratory droplets and contact with contaminated surfaces.
What is the order of Donning PPE?
Hand Hygiene, Gown, Mask, Eyewear, Gloves
Proper order is essential for effective protection.
What is the order of Doffing PPE?
Gloves, Hand hygiene, Gown, Hand hygiene, Eyewear, Hand hygiene, Mask, Hand Hygiene
Following the correct order helps prevent self-contamination.
