Environmental Surveillance: Hospital Infections

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Questions and Answers

What does environmental surveillance mean in the context of Infection Control?

Recording and counting of infections arising in the hospital.

What are the three main goals of surveillance?

  • To identify increases in infection rates, to monitor hospital personnel, and to identify specific risks.
  • To define endemic rates, to identify increases in infection rates, and to monitor hospital personnel.
  • To define endemic rates, to identify increases in infection rates, and to identify specific risks. (correct)
  • To define endemic rates, to monitor hospital personnel, and to monitor critical situations.

Surveillance of hospital associated infections is done so that we know the ______ of any problems that exist.

extent

One of the main focuses of infection control surveillance is the clinical outcome of a patient's stay in the hospital, meaning whether an infection arises in a patient as a result of their stay.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why are laboratory cultures important for infection control surveillance?

<p>All of the above. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the most common sites for hospital-acquired infections (HAIs)?

<p>Surgical site infection, ventilator associated pneumonia, primary bloodstream infections, and infection with multiple-drug resistant bacteria.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What patient demographic is particularly prone to acquiring infection in hospitals?

<p>The most severely ill, the aged, those compromised by diabetes, use of steroids, cancer or haematological malignancies.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the main types of infection control surveillance?

<p>All of the above. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the common priority sites for site-oriented surveillance?

<p>Ventilator associated pneumonia, surgical site infections, primary bloodstream infections, and infection with multiple-drug resistant bacteria. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Unit-oriented surveillance solely focuses on a specific site within the unit, such as the surgical site or the ICU.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Continuous surveillance is a time-consuming activity that requires detailed work over a period of time to produce beneficial results.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are some examples of data collection sources for infection control surveillance?

<p>Patient examination, laboratory reports, clinical ward rounds, medical and nursing chart review.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The presence of indwelling urinary catheters, mechanical ventilation, and surgical procedures are considered risk factors for infections.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the key aims of infection control surveillance?

<p>To improve practice, to decrease nosocomial infections with a reduction in costs, and to validate prevention strategies.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Laboratory reports are considered the sole source of information for infection control surveillance.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Collaboration between infection control staff and relevant healthcare professionals is crucial for effective data collection and surveillance.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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Flashcards

Environmental Surveillance

The process of recording and counting infections that occur within a hospital, aiding in understanding the extent of infection problems.

Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAIs)

Infections acquired in a hospital or healthcare setting, also known as nosocomial infections.

Endemic Rates

The normal, expected rate of a specific infection within a particular population.

Outbreak

A sudden increase in the number of cases of a particular infection within a specific time frame.

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Risk Factor

A factor that increases the risk of developing an infection.

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Clinical outcome of a patient's stay.

A person's chance of surviving an infection.

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Site and Severity

The location, severity, and connection to treatments or procedures of the infection.

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Laboratory Cultures or Blood Tests

Lab tests like blood cultures and cultures from infected areas, confirming the presence and type of infection.

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Index or Baseline Infection

A standardized infection, chosen to track infection rates within a hospital.

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Surgical Site Infection

An infection that occurs at the site of surgery, often used as a significant indicator of infection rates.

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Microbiologist

A specialist who identifies the specific pathogen causing an infection.

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Infection Control Committee

A team responsible for infection control within a hospital, including surveillance, recommendations, and preventative measures.

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Antimicrobial Stewardship

A system that carefully monitors how antibiotics are prescribed and used, ensuring appropriate and effective treatment while minimizing resistance.

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Antimicrobial Resistance

The ability of bacteria to survive and grow even in the presence of antibiotics.

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Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing

A scientific study to determine the best antibiotic treatment for a specific type of infection.

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Surveillance System

A system for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data on infections, leading to preventive actions.

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Written Protocol

A specific plan outlining the methods, data, and analysis involved in the surveillance process.

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Data Collection

The practice of collecting data from multiple sources to increase data quality and reliability.

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Invasive Device

A medical device that remains inserted into the body for an extended period, potentially increasing infection risk.

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Clinical Signs

A visual representation of the infection, like a chart showing the type and severity of infections.

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Antimicrobial Therapy

The use of medicine to treat infections, often used in combination with other measures.

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Nursing and Medical Chart Review

A process of reviewing patient charts and medical records to gather information relevant to infection surveillance.

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Laboratory Reports

A scientific analysis of microorganisms, including their identification and resistance to antibiotics.

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Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns

The ability of bacteria to withstand the effects of antibiotics.

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Serological Tests

Tests that use blood to detect antibodies or antigens associated with specific infections.

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Discussion of Cases

A regular discussion between infection control staff and clinical staff, exchanging information about infection cases.

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Collaboration

A strong and continuous connection between individuals or groups working towards a common goal.

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Bioburden

The overall burden of microorganisms in a specific environment.

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Evaluation

A process of evaluating the effectiveness of changes made to infection control practices to ensure they are successful.

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Infection Control Program

The overall plan and actions taken to prevent and control infections within a hospital.

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Study Notes

Environmental Surveillance

  • Surveillance of hospital-associated infections involves recording and counting infections within the hospital.
  • This helps understand the extent of infection problems.
  • Various methods exist for recording and counting hospital infections.

Goals of Surveillance

  • Define endemic infection rates.
  • Identify increases in infection rates.
  • Identify specific infection risks.
  • Inform hospital staff about risks of procedures and treatment.

Clinical Infections

  • A clinical infection is a patient infection during a hospital stay due to treatment or care.
  • Information about the infection's location, severity, and link to procedures or treatment is recorded.
  • Laboratory cultures and blood tests may confirm an infection's presence.

Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAIs)

  • HAIs are infections that patients acquire while receiving care in a hospital.
  • Surveillance helps differentiate between pre-existing infections and those acquired in the hospital.
  • Information on the infection's site and severity, and its relationship to procedures is important.
  • Laboratory cultures and blood tests help confirm an infection's presence.

Types of Infections

  • Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) can involve various sites, including urinary tract, bloodstream, surgical sites, and respiratory infections.
  • Surveillance focuses on specific infections (e.g., surgical site infections) as indicators of infection rate.

Site-Oriented Surveillance

  • Prioritizes monitoring infections with significant impact on mortality, morbidity, costs, and that are preventable.
  • Focuses on high-risk units like intensive care, surgery, oncology, or burn units.
  • Surveillance activity also takes place across the hospital for comprehensive coverage.

Surveillance Data Collection

  • Surveillance involves collecting data from multiple sources, including patient information, laboratory results, and clinical information.
  • This includes data on patient demographics, medical history, procedures, clinical signs, laboratory tests, infections, antimicrobial therapy, and charts.
  • The aim is to gain a complete and reliable picture of infections.

Laboratory Reports

  • Laboratory reports are essential for tracking infections, resistance patterns, and serological tests.
  • However, lab reports aren't always definitive, and other infection sources (e.g., viruses, colonisation) can be challenging to detect.
  • Microbiological analysis of cultures, imaging, and autopsy information are part of this process as well.

Outbreak Investigation

  • Outbreaks manifest as unusual increases in infections in a specific location.
  • Patient data, laboratory investigations, and reports from other departments are used to detect patterns and causes.
  • Understanding the infection's type, severity, and time of onset is crucial for guiding interventions and controls.

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