Infection Control in ICUs

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary goal of infection control in hospitals?

To prevent the spread of infections (correct)

To prolong hospital stays

To improve patient outcomes

To reduce economic losses

What percentage of healthcare-associated infections occur in most healthcare facilities?

5-10% (correct)

1-2%

15-20%

25-30%

What is the primary mode of disease transmission in hospitals?

Through contact with contaminated surfaces

Through hands (correct)

Through airborne transmission

Through contact with infected individuals

What is the most effective measure in infection control?

Hand washing Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of standard precautions?

To prevent the transmission of infections between clients and healthcare providers Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of donning personal protective equipment in a medical setting?

To reduce the risk of infection transmission Signup and view all the answers

What is a major risk factor for healthcare-associated infections?

Low resistance of patients to infections Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended practice for handling sharps?

Disposing of them in a puncture-proof container Signup and view all the answers

What is a common fungal organism that can cause healthcare-associated infections?

Candida albicans Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of biomedical waste?

Waste generated during diagnosis, testing, treatment, research, or production of biological products Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of high-level disinfectants?

To destroy all microorganisms and spores Signup and view all the answers

What is an important step in standard precautions?

Hand washing Signup and view all the answers

What is the sequence for donning personal protective equipment?

Gown, mask, gloves, goggles or face shield Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of sterilization?

To destroy all microorganisms and spores Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of waste management?

To reduce the hazardous nature of waste, reduce volume, prevent misuse, and ensure occupational safety and health Signup and view all the answers

Who issued guidelines for the disposal of biomedical waste?

Ministry of Environment and Forests Signup and view all the answers

What type of disinfection is followed by incineration for linen waste?

Non-chlorinated chemical disinfection Signup and view all the answers

What is the treatment and disposal process for contaminated plastic waste?

Autoclaving or micro-waving followed by shredding, sterilization, and energy recovery Signup and view all the answers

What is the final disposal method for autoclaved and shredded sharp waste?

Iron foundries or concrete waste sharp pit Signup and view all the answers

What is the treatment process for cardboard boxes with blue marking?

Disinfection then sent for recycling Signup and view all the answers

What is the responsibility of the generator of biomedical waste?

Waste segregation and storage Signup and view all the answers

How long can untreated biomedical waste be kept in storage?

Permission required for > 48 hours Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of waste segregation?

To facilitate waste treatment and disposal Signup and view all the answers

Where should biomedical waste storage facilities be located?

Within hospital premises Signup and view all the answers

What should be done to the bags before taking them?

Tied and labeled Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important for waste handlers not to touch other articles?

To avoid contamination Signup and view all the answers

What type of cart should be used to carry waste to the central collection area?

Covered cart with a biohazard symbol Signup and view all the answers

What is the overall aim of the training program on biomedical waste management?

To develop awareness of health and safety issues Signup and view all the answers

Why are separate trolleys for transporting waste within the hospital necessary?

To prevent cross-contamination Signup and view all the answers

What immunizations should all workers involved in waste handling be given?

Tetanus and hepatitis B Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the roles of infection control nurses?

Visiting all wards and high-risk units Signup and view all the answers

What is the key to successful infection control according to the text?

Well-trained and motivated staff Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended treatment method for soiled waste according to the BMW rule 2016?

Deep burial Signup and view all the answers

Which type of waste is recommended to be treated through incineration at a temperature >1200°C or encapsulation or plasma pyrolysis?

Expired or discarded medicine Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended method for treating chemical liquid waste according to the BMW rule 2016?

Pre-treatment before mixing with wastewater Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended method for treating human anatomical waste according to the BMW rule 2016?

Deep burial or Incineration or plasma pyrolysis Signup and view all the answers

When did the biomedical waste management and handling rule come into effect?

1998 Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended storage method for general waste, soiled linen, and discarded medicines?

3 Bins Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Infection Control Protocol in ICU

"The very first requirement in a hospital is that it should do the sick no harm" - Florence Nightingale
Healthcare-associated infections (HCAI) result in economic loss, prolonged hospital stay, and adverse patient outcomes
Average incidence of HCAI is around 5-10% in most healthcare facilities

Infection Control Definition

Measures practiced by healthcare personnel to prevent spread, transmission, and acquisition of infection between clients, from healthcare providers to clients, and from clients to healthcare providers (HCP)
Standard precaution and additional precaution are included

Common Organisms

Bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella, E. coli
Viruses: HIV, HBV, HCV, CMV
Fungi: Candida albicans, Aspergillus
Parasites: Giardia lambia

Risks

Low resistance of patients to infections
Invasive procedures/interventions
Inappropriate anti-microbial usage
Drug resistance of endemic microbes
Contaminated environment

Standard Safety Measures

Standard precaution practices used to prevent transmission of diseases that can be acquired by contact with blood, body fluids, non-intact skin, and mucous membrane
Steps include hand washing, personal protective equipment (PPE), decontamination, and waste disposal

Hand Hygiene

Hand washing is the single most effective measure in infection control
80% of diseases are spread through hands
Important points to remember: covering cuts and wounds, gloves are not a substitute for hand washing, and maintaining soap and dispenser cleanliness

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Includes gloves, gown, mask, protective eye wear, face shield, and apron
Sequence for donning PPE: gown, mask, goggles or face shield, gloves
Sequence for removing PPE: gloves, goggles or face shield, mask, gown

Safe Handling of Sharps

Never pass sharps from one person to another
Always dispose of your own sharps
Do not recap needles
Dispose sharps in puncture-proof containers

Disinfection and Sterilization

Disinfection: reduces the number of microorganisms on an object or surface but does not completely destroy all microorganisms or spores
Types of disinfectants: high level, intermediate level, and low level
Sterilization: removes all microorganisms, including spores, from an object
Sterilization methods: dry heat, moist heat, chemical, and radiation sterilization

Bio-Medical Waste Management

Definition: waste generated during diagnosis, testing, treatment, research, or production of biological products for humans or animals
Purposes of waste disposal: reduce hazardous nature, reduce volume, prevent misuse, ensure occupational safety and health, and consider aesthetics

Legislation and Guidelines

Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF) guidelines for hospitals to ensure proper and safe disposal of bio-medical waste
Bio-medical waste management and handling rules came into effect in 1998
BMW Rule 2016: categorizes waste into human anatomical, animal anatomical, soiled, expired, and chemical waste, and outlines treatment and disposal methods for each category

Waste Management

3Rs: reduce, reuse, recycle
Waste segregation: done at the source of waste generation, responsibility of the generator, and segregation according to categories
Waste storage: storage facility should have sufficient capacity, located within hospital premises, and untreated biomedical waste not kept beyond 48 hours
Waste transportation: points to remember include tying and labeling bags, not touching other articles, and using a covered cart with a biohazard symbol

Training and Staff Safety

Training on bio-medical waste management aims to develop awareness of health, safety, and environmental issues
Roles and responsibilities of healthcare personnel in overall management program should be highlighted
Staff safety considerations include separate trolleys for transporting waste, awareness of hazardous nature, provision of protective equipment, and immunization against tetanus and hepatitis B

Role of Infection Control Nurses

Visit all wards and high-risk units
Check nursing supervisor's register and records for cases suggestive of infection
Collect samples from different areas of the hospital and send them to the lab
Monitor and supervise infection among hospital staff
Train nursing and paramedical personnel on correct hygiene practices and aseptic technique

Summary

Infection control, standard precaution, hospital waste management, and staff safety are crucial concerns
Human element is more important than technology
Well-trained, motivated staff can make a significant difference in controlling infection

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Description

Test your knowledge on infection control protocols in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). Learn about the importance of preventing healthcare-associated infections and the measures healthcare personnel take to prevent them.