Infection Control Precautions Quiz

Asepsis

• Asepsis is the absence of disease-causing microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.
• Asepsis practices prevent infection, frequently used in surgery and medicine.

Learning Outcomes

• Define asepsis
• Describe medical terminology related to asepsis
• Define medical asepsis
• Explain the methods of microorganism spread
• Explain components of maintaining medical asepsis
• Define surgical asepsis
• Describe the principles of surgical asepsis
• Explain the five moments for hand hygiene
• Describe standard infection control in healthcare
• Discuss standard precautions and personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Perform surgical asepsis handwashing, gloving, and gowning efficiently

Introduction

• Asepsis refers to both the state of being free from disease-causing microorganisms and the practices used to achieve that state, especially in surgical fields.
• Microorganisms are present in the air, water, food, and clothing.

Terminology

• Acquired immunity: The body's natural or artificially induced defense mechanism against infection through antibodies
• Antibodies/immunoglobulin: Proteins produced by the body to combat infection
• Antigen: A substance that triggers an immune response
• Antiseptic: A substance that inhibits the growth of microorganisms
• Cross infection: Transmission of an infection between different people
• Carrier: A person carrying an infection without showing symptoms
• Droplet infection: Transmission through expelled saliva or mucus particles
• Soiled/contaminated: Containing microorganisms that might cause disease

Further Concepts

• Sepsis: A state of infection
• Nosocomial infection: An infection acquired during a hospital stay
• Isolation: Separating infected people from healthy individuals to prevent transmission
• Sterilization: Eliminating all microorganisms, including spores

Medical Asepsis

• Asepsis in daily medical practice, focusing on cleanliness
• Includes routines to avoid the spread of infectious diseases.
• The goal is to keep the environment free of spreadable organisms.
• Prevents spread of germs by keeping surfaces and equipment clean.

Spread of Microorganisms

• Touching someone who has an infection
• Sneezing and coughing, directly and indirectly
• Handling contaminated food, water or medication.

Essential Components of Maintaining Medical Asepsis

• Handwashing
• Using gloves, gowns, and masks (as necessary)
• Cleaning and disinfecting equipment
• Handling linens to avoid spreading germs
• Washing hands when visibly contaminated

Surgical Asepsis

• The more stringent practice of asepsis, critical for surgery.
• Sterile technique is used to prevent infections in surgical procedures.
• Only sterilized instruments can touch other sterilized items
• Prevents contamination from the surrounding environment.

5 Moments for Hand Hygiene

• Before touching a patient
• Before clean/aseptic procedures
• After body fluid exposure/risk
• After touching a patient
• After touching patient surroundings

Standard Precautions

• Practices to reduce bloodborne and other pathogen transmission
• Applies to everyone interacting with healthcare settings.
• Necessary to prevent contamination by blood, body fluids, skin abrasions (rashes), and mucous membranes.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Items (gloves, gowns, masks, respirators, eyewear) to protect individuals from infectious agents.
• PPE should be removed and hands washed immediately after use.
• Proper order of removal critical to avoid contamination

Infection Control - Contact Precautions

• Precautions for patients with infections that spread through contact with bodily fluids, surfaces or secretions.
• Wear a gown and gloves upon room entry
• Use single-use or dedicated non-critical care equipment.

Infection Control - Droplet Precautions

• Precautions for infections spread through respiratory droplets.
• Wear a mask upon room entry; and maintain space from others for greater safety
• Use single-patient room or arrange appropriate distancing, if not available.

Cough Etiquette

• Cover mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, dispose tissue in appropriate receptacle
• Perform hand hygiene after contact with respiratory secretions
• Healthcare facilities should provide tissues and proper receptacles for disposal.
• Alcohol-based hand rub, or soap and water, are essential

Airborne Precautions

• Precautions for infections spread through air.
• Wear a respirator or appropriate mask
• Isolate patients in Airborne Infection Isolation (AII) rooms
• Facilities lack AII rooms should use alternative methods

Handwashing

• Detailed steps for thorough hand hygiene
• Important to wash hands using correct techniques to maintain asepsis
• Includes precise rinsing sequence and proper use of supplies such as soap and water

Handrub

• Use of alcohol-based handrub
• Steps for effective handrub application

Putting on a Surgical Gown

• Detailed steps for donning a surgical gown to maintain sterility.

Sterile Gloves Application

• Steps for correctly putting on sterile gloves