MICI: Infection Control

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Questions and Answers

Which hierarchy of infection control measures is considered least effective on its own?

Administrative controls

Elimination and public health measures

Engineering controls

Personal protective equipment (PPE) (correct)

When implementing hand hygiene, which of the following moments is NOT part of the '4 Moments'?

After using the restroom (correct)

After exposure to body fluids

Before aseptic procedures

Before patient/environment contact

What type of precaution is required for pathogens that necessitate an N95 mask and airborne isolation?

Airborne Precautions (correct)

Contact Precautions

Droplet Precautions

Standard Precautions

In the epidemiologic triad, which factor represents the living organism that provides the environment for the pathogen?

Reservoir Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following infections is primarily associated with the use of catheters?

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of chlorhexidine in infection control during the insertion of central lines?

It is used for skin antisepsis at insertion sites Signup and view all the answers

Which infection control measure is the most effective way to prevent infections?

Hand hygiene Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a component of the Chain of Infection?

Mode of prevention Signup and view all the answers

What does the Reproduction Number (R0) indicate regarding infectious diseases?

The average number of secondary cases generated by an infected individual Signup and view all the answers

What is a critical infection control measure to reduce costs associated with healthcare-associated infections (HAIs)?

Implementing effective infection control measures Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant impact of John Snow's investigation on cholera in 1854?

Ending the cholera outbreak by addressing contaminated water Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of the SENIC study regarding infection control programs?

30% reduction in healthcare-associated infections Signup and view all the answers

Which component is not part of the chain of infection?

Prevention Method Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a vector-borne transmission mode?

Malaria transmitted via mosquitoes Signup and view all the answers

What does the Basic Reproduction Number (R0) indicate?

The average number of secondary infections from one infected individual Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following types of healthcare-associated infections is most often linked to catheter use?

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following organisms is known for being multidrug-resistant and commonly causes severe diarrhea in hospital settings?

Clostridioides difficile Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors does not influence a person's susceptibility to infections?

Physical activity levels Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'virulence' refer to in the context of infectious agents?

Severity of the disease caused Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE)?

Resistant to multiple antibiotics Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Historical Foundations of Infection Control and Epidemiology

John Snow known as the "father of epidemiology" investigated cholera transmission in London in 1854. He linked the outbreak to contaminated water from a public pump, demonstrating the importance of water sanitation in disease control.
Ignaz Semmelweis championed hand hygiene by introducing a chlorine solution for handwashing, which significantly reduced puerperal fever cases in obstetric clinics.

Key Concepts in Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC)

Infection Control Programs are crucial to reduce healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
SENIC Study findings demonstrated a 30% reduction in HAIs with effective infection control measures.

Transmission Pathways and Chain of Infection

Chain of Infection:
- Agent: The infectious organism.
- Reservoir: The environment or organism where the pathogen lives.
- Portal of exit/entry: How the pathogen leaves one host and enters another.
- Modes of transmission:
  - Contact: Direct or indirect.
  - Droplet: (e.g., COVID-19).
  - Airborne: (e.g., tuberculosis, measles).
  - Common Vehicle: (e.g., contaminated medical equipment).
  - Vector-Borne: (e.g., malaria via mosquitoes).
- Susceptible Host

Epidemiologic Triad and Important Metrics

Basic Reproduction Number (R0): Indicates the average number of secondary infections produced by one infected individual in a susceptible population.
Agent Characteristics:
- Infectivity: Ability to cause infection.
- Pathogenicity: Likelihood of causing disease.
- Virulence: Severity of the disease.

Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs)

Infections acquired after 48 hours in a healthcare setting.
Types of HAIs:
- Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Often linked to catheters.
- Surgical Site Infections (SSIs): Occur post-surgery.
- Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP): Seen in ICU settings.
- Bacteremia: Bloodstream infections often linked to central lines.

Multidrug-Resistant Organisms (MDROs)

Common MDROs:
- MRSA: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
- VRE: Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci.
- Clostridioides difficile: Causes severe diarrhea.
- Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) and Candida auris: Emerging threats with high resistance.

Hand Hygiene

Reduces infections by up to 50%.
Four Moments of Hand Hygiene (Canada):
- Before patient/environment contact.
- Before aseptic procedures.
- After exposure to body fluids.
- After patient/environment contact.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Precautions

Routine Practices: Based on Point of Care Risk Assessment (PCRA).
Additional Precautions:
- Contact Precautions: Gown and gloves (e.g., C.difficile).
- Droplet Precautions: Mask and eye protection (e.g., influenza).
- Airborne Precautions: N95 mask and airborne isolation room (e.g., TB).

Hierarchy of Infection Control Measures

Elimination and Public Health Measures: (e.g., isolation and quarantine).
Engineering Controls: (e.g., ventilation, barriers, spatial separation).
Administrative Controls: (e.g., training, screening, and policies).
PPE: Least effective individually, but critical as a final protective layer.

Safer Healthcare Now! Programs and Bundles

Interventions for High-Risk Infections:
- SSI: Hair removal guidelines, antibiotic prophylaxis, normoglycemia, and normothermia.
- VAP: Elevate head, minimize sedation, suctioning.
- CLABSI: Use of barriers, hand hygiene, chlorhexidine for insertion sites.

Test Preparation (Based on Test Review Concepts)

Key Terms and Concepts: Infectivity, pathogenicity, virulence, multidrug resistance, and nosocomial infection.
Reproduction Number (R0): Implications for infection spread.
Routine Practices and PCRA: Understanding when to apply additional precautions.
Pathogen Examples: Differentiate between MRSA, VRE, and C.difficile in terms of resistance and associated risk factors.

Overview of Infection Control

Infection Control (IPAC) refers to practices and procedures that prevent the spread of infections in healthcare settings.
Importance: Crucial for patient safety, reducing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), and minimizing costs.

Key Historical Figures

John Snow: Recognized as the father of epidemiology. Investigated cholera outbreak in London and linked the outbreak to contaminated water.

Epidemiology Basics

Epidemiologic Triad: Consists of the agent, host, and environment.
Chain of Infection:
- Agent: Pathogen causing the infection.
- Reservoir: Where the agent lives and multiplies.
- Portal of Exit: How the agent leaves the reservoir.
- Mode of Transmission: How the agent is transmitted.
- Portal of Entry: How the agent enters a susceptible host.
- Susceptible Host: A person or animal that can be infected.

Important Slides to Focus On

Slides 7-10: Basic concepts of infection control and epidemiology.
Slides 12-14: Common infections in healthcare settings.
Slide 16: Overview of infection prevention practices.
Slides 19 & 21: Key statistics and facts about infection control (focus on understanding rather than memorizing stats).
Slide 22: Importance of hand hygiene.
Slide 30: Impact of good hand hygiene on infection rates (up to 50% reduction).
Slides 39-46: Detailed practices for infection prevention.
Slides 53-54: Overview of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
Slides 58-59: Summary of infection control measures

Infection Transmission

COVID-19 Transmission: Spreads through respiratory droplets and aerosols.
Modes of Transmission:
- Contact: Direct or indirect contact with infected individuals or surfaces.
- Droplet: Large respiratory droplets that travel short distances.
- Airborne: Smaller droplets that can remain suspended in the air and travel longer distances.

Infection Prevention Practices

Hand Hygiene: The most effective way to prevent infections.
- Four Moments:
  - Before patient/environment contact.
  - Before aseptic procedures.
  - After body fluid exposure.
  - After patient/environment contact.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Use appropriate PPE based on the risk of exposure.
Environmental Controls: Regular cleaning and disinfection of surfaces and equipment.

Common Infections in Healthcare Settings

Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs): Infections acquired while receiving treatment.
Types of HAIs:
- Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Often associated with catheter use.
- Surgical Site Infections (SSIs): Infections occurring at the site of surgery.
- Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP): Pneumonia that occurs in patients on mechanical ventilation.

Cost-Effectiveness of Infection Control

Implementing effective infection control measures can significantly reduce the incidence of HAIs, leading to lower healthcare costs and improved patient outcomes.

Additional Resources

For more information on COVID-19 prevention measures, refer to the Government of Canada website.

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