Infection Control in Hospitals

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Questions and Answers

What percentage of surgical site infections can be antibiotic-resistant?

50% (correct)

25%

10%

70%

Which patients are considered susceptible hosts?

Patients with a strong immune system

Patients with underlying medical conditions (correct)

Healthy individuals

Patients who have recently recovered from illness

Which method is NOT a basic mode of transmission?

Direct contact

Airborne transmission

Droplet spread

Chemical transmission (correct)

What is the term used for infections acquired while receiving health care?

Nosocomial infection Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of an invasive procedure that can serve as a portal of entry for infections?

Foley catheter insertion Signup and view all the answers

How much can effective infection prevention and control reduce healthcare-associated infections?

30% Signup and view all the answers

Which transmission method includes contact between a vector and a susceptible host?

Vectorborne transmission Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT classified as a healthcare-associated infection?

Common cold Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of infection control practices in a healthcare facility?

Preventing disease transmission Signup and view all the answers

Which healthcare-associated infection has the highest estimated number of deaths?

Ventilator-associated pneumonia Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the components that influences the effectiveness of precautions to prevent transmission of HAIs?

Clinical microbiology laboratory support Signup and view all the answers

What environmental measure is recommended for cleaning and disinfecting patient-care areas?

Appropriate detergent/disinfectant Signup and view all the answers

What should be done before transporting patients to prevent transmission?

Notify healthcare personnel in the receiving area Signup and view all the answers

What is an effective approach for limiting transport of infected patients?

Limiting transport to essential purposes Signup and view all the answers

Which is NOT a factor that affects adherence to healthcare-associated infection guidelines?

Type of hospital food served Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves?

To protect against exposure to infectious materials Signup and view all the answers

Why should healthcare workers discourage the wearing of rings or jewelry?

They may harbor bacteria and contribute to transmission Signup and view all the answers

What should be done with chipped nail polish according to the guidelines?

It may support bacterial growth under certain conditions Signup and view all the answers

What type of PPE is necessary when there is a risk of splash or spray of body fluids?

Goggles and face shield Signup and view all the answers

In a healthcare setting, artificial nails are discouraged mainly because they can:

Contribute to the transmission of pathogens Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic is important for eye protection used as PPE?

It must allow for sufficient peripheral vision Signup and view all the answers

When are freshly applied nail polishes acceptable in healthcare settings?

They are okay only in non-sterile environments Signup and view all the answers

What should healthcare facilities do regarding the use of jewelry by healthcare workers?

Develop specific policies on wearing jewelry Signup and view all the answers

What is a key consideration for healthcare workers when using gloves?

Gloves must be worn in combination with other PPE Signup and view all the answers

What does wearing PPE like masks achieve for healthcare personnel?

Protects them from airborne infectious agents Signup and view all the answers

Which pathogen is associated with vancomycin resistance?

Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) Signup and view all the answers

What type of transmission is associated with animals and might support the growth of infectious agents?

Vector-borne transmission Signup and view all the answers

Which precaution is necessary for diseases transmitted by airborne droplet nuclei?

Airborne infection isolation room (AIIR) Signup and view all the answers

What is essential for a room designated for airborne infection isolation?

Negative air pressure Signup and view all the answers

What type of pathogens require droplet precautions?

Pathogens transmitted via large droplets Signup and view all the answers

How many air changes per hour are required in an older existing facility for AIIR?

6 air changes per hour Signup and view all the answers

Which is not a source of microbes in a healthcare environment?

Clean linens Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of multiply-drug resistant bacteria?

B.cepacia Signup and view all the answers

What method is used to handle air in an airborne infection isolation room?

Air exhaust through HEPA filtration Signup and view all the answers

What surface types are sources of microbes in patient areas?

Dry and wet surfaces Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary method to prevent the transmission of infections in the hospital setting?

Hand hygiene Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a recommended practice for preventing needlestick injuries?

Administering medications from syringes to multiple patients Signup and view all the answers

How can the risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens be reduced?

Using appropriate PPE Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of hospital-acquired infections on hospitalized patients?

1.7 million patients acquire infections annually Signup and view all the answers

What is a crucial practice to avoid contamination of sterile injection equipment?

Employing aseptic technique Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to restrict visitors with signs of transmissible infections?

To prevent transmission of infections Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following measures does NOT prevent transmission in healthcare settings?

Ignoring hand hygiene protocols Signup and view all the answers

What should be done with all used sharp devices?

Place them in a sharps container Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception regarding the reuse of syringes?

That it's safe if cleaned thoroughly Signup and view all the answers

What type of precautions can significantly reduce transmission of diseases?

Isolation Precautions Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Infection Control in the Hospital Setting

One in ten patients acquire infections while receiving healthcare.
More than half of surgical site infections are antibiotic-resistant.
Effective infection prevention and control can reduce healthcare-associated infections by at least 30%.

Susceptible Host

Patients with underlying medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, cancer, transplant patients) are more susceptible to infections.
Medications that lower immune system response increase susceptibility.
Invasive procedures (e.g., Foley catheters, IV lines) can serve as entry points for infections.
Immunosuppressed individuals are highly vulnerable.

Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs)

HAIs are infections acquired during healthcare.
They can occur within 48 hours or more after admission or within 30 days after receiving care.
Common HAIs include central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI), catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI), surgical site infections (SSIs), and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).

Basic Modes of Transmission

Direct Transmission: Physical contact between the source and victim (e.g., direct contact, droplet spread).
Indirect Transmission: Contact with the source through airborne, vehicleborne, or vectorborne (mechanical or biological) agents.
Common Pathogens: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), C. difficile, Norovirus, multi-drug resistant (MDR) gram-negative rods (e.g., B. cepacia, P. aeruginosa, Acinetobacter), Mpox (Monkeypox).

Source

Infectious agents (bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc.) can come from patients, healthcare workers, visitors, and the healthcare environment.
Sources of microbes include dry surfaces in patient areas, wet surfaces, moist environments, biofilms, indwelling medical devices, and debris.

Vector-Borne Transmission

Animals can transmit diseases through mechanical or biological means.
They can act as vectors, increasing the transmission range of a disease by carrying infectious agents.

Airborne Precautions

Used for patients with known or suspected diseases transmitted by airborne droplet nuclei (≤5 microns).
Preferred room: Airborne Infection Isolation Room (AIIR).
Private room with negative air pressure relative to the corridor.
Personnel require respiratory protection.

Droplet Precautions

Used for diseases spread through larger droplets (>5 microns).
Require a private room but specialized air handling is not necessary.
Personnel must wear surgical masks when entering the room.
Representative pathogens: Invasive N. meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae type B, and Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Airborne Infection Isolation Room (AIIR)

Maintains negative pressure monitoring to prevent the spread of infectious agents.
12 air exchanges per hour (6 air changes for older facilities).
Air exhausted directly outside or recirculated through HEPA filtration before return.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Protects healthcare personnel from contact with infectious material from patients.
Protects patients from exposure to infectious agents carried by healthcare workers.
Mask: Placed on healthcare personnel for procedures requiring sterile technique.
Goggles and Face Shield: Necessary when there is a risk of splash or spray of respiratory secretions or other bodily fluids.

Transmission-Based Precautions

Contact Precautions: For patients with known or suspected infections spread through direct contact.
Droplet Precautions: For patients with known or suspected infections spread through respiratory droplets.
Airborne Precautions: For patients with known or suspected infections spread through airborne droplet nuclei.

Use aseptic technique to avoid contamination of sterile injection equipment.
Do not administer medications from a syringe to multiple patients.
Do not reuse needles, cannulae, or syringes.
Dispose of all sharps in a designated sharps container

Color Coding Scheme for Waste Bins

Follow the color coding system for safe waste disposal.

Impact of Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs)

Nearly 1.7 million hospitalized patients acquire HAIs annually.
98,000 patients die each year due to HAIs.
Common HAIs associated with death:
- CLABSI
- CAUTI
- VAP
- Pneumonia
- Bloodstream infections
- Urinary tract infections
- Surgical site infections

Healthcare System Components Influencing Infection Control

Administrative measures
Infection control professionals
Infection control nurse liaison
Bedside nursing staffing
Clinical microbiology laboratory support
Institutional safety culture and organizational characteristics
Adherence of healthcare personnel to recommended guidelines
Education of HCWs, patients, and families

Transporting Patients

Limit patient transport to essential purposes.
Place appropriate barriers on the patient.
Notify receiving area personnel about the patient's arrival and necessary precautions.

Environmental Measures

Proper cleaning and disinfection of patient-care areas.
Use appropriate detergent/disinfectant.
Follow recommended amounts, dilution, and contact time.
For resistant organisms, use a 1:10 dilution of 5.25% sodium hypochlorite.

Vaccination and Prevention Strategies

Vaccines: Used for pre- and post-exposure prevention of infectious diseases.
Post-exposure chemoprophylaxis: Antiviral or antibacterial agents can be used to prevent infection after exposure.
Screening and visitor restrictions: Visitors with signs of transmissible infections might be restricted to reduce spread.

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Description

Test your knowledge on infection control practices in healthcare settings. Learn about the impact of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and susceptibility factors in patients. This quiz covers crucial information necessary for effective infection prevention and management.