Infection Control - Asepsis and Nursing Practices PDF

Document Details

UsableRhythm5737

Uploaded by UsableRhythm5737

Davis College

Victoria Amalaraj MSN, RN

Tags

infection control healthcare-associated infections asepsis nursing practices

Summary

This document provides an overview of infection control and asepsis, specifically for nurses and those involved in healthcare. It covers fundamental concepts, like the chain of infection, different types of infections, and the body's defenses against infection. It also delves into practical aspects including hand hygiene, personal protective equipment (PPE), and infection-control procedures for special situations.

Full Transcript

Infection Control By: Victoria Amalaraj MSN, RN Learning Outcomes 1. Differentiate the body’s natural defenses against infection. 2. Identify factors that increase risks of developing an infection. 3. Compare the stages of infection. 4. Compare and contrast localized infections and systemic inf...

Infection Control By: Victoria Amalaraj MSN, RN Learning Outcomes 1. Differentiate the body’s natural defenses against infection. 2. Identify factors that increase risks of developing an infection. 3. Compare the stages of infection. 4. Compare and contrast localized infections and systemic infections. 5. Differentiate between the aspects of infection classifications. 6. Identify the six links in the chain of infection. 7. Identify nursing interventions used to prevent the spread of infections. 8. Differentiate between standard precautions and transmission-based precautions. 9. Differentiate between medical asepsis and surgical asepsis. 10. Identify concerns of emerging pathogens and infectious diseases. Why should nurses know about infection processes? Protect patients from healthcare-related infections Meet professional guidelines Protect yourself from diseases Help lower the cost of healthcare Healthcare-Associated Infections The CDC estimates that in the US, hospitals alone, HAIs account for 1.7 million infections and 99,000 associated deaths each year. 32% of all HAIs are UTIs 22% are surgical site infections 15% are pneumonia 14% are bloodstream infections Clostridium difficile is one of the most common and serious infection. Healthcare-Associated Infections Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs): are infections associated with healthcare given in any setting. Nosocomial infection: also referred to as hospital-acquired infections, is an infectious disease(s) acquired in a healthcare facility. How does infection occur Chain of infection Infectious Agent Normal Flora: microorganisms that live on or in the human body without causing harm Transient flora Resident flora Pathogens: microorganisms capable of causing disease Bacteria, Viruses, and Fungi Opportunistic pathogens Factors that determine infection 1. Virulence of the organism 2. Ability of the organism to survive in the host 3. Number of organisms 4. Ability of host defenses to prevent infection Chain of infection Reservoir Source of Infection: a place where To live and thrive in humans pathogens survive and multiply microbes need: The human body is the most Nutrients common reservoir for pathogens Most pathogens prefer a Moisture warm, moist, dark Temperature environment Oxygen Carriers: have no symptoms of the pH and electrolytes disease, but can pass the disease to others Light Chain of infection Portal of Exit-for infection to spread, a pathogen must exit the reservoir In a human reservoir, the most frequent portal of exit is through body fluids: Blood, Mucous, Saliva, Breast milk, Urine, Feces, Vomit, Semen The body’s natural response to foreign materials is to try and expel them Chain of infection Mode of Transmission Contact is the most frequent mode of transmission Direct contact- two people involved in touching, kissing, or coitus Indirect contact- contact with a fomite Droplet transmission is when the pathogen travels in water droplets expelled as a person exhales, coughs, sneezes, or talks Airborne transmission involve microorganisms that can travel a considerable distance on air currents Vector transfers a pathogen to a susceptible host via a bite or sting Chain of infection Portal of Entry Normal body openings Abnormal openings Mucous membranes Chain of infection Susceptible Host Compromised individual because of inadequate defenses against invading pathogens Various factors contribute to host susceptibility Age Compromised immune system Immune deficiency conditions Medications Classification of infections Local vs Systemic Local cause harm in a limited region of the body Systemic occur when the pathogen invades the blood or lymph and spread throughout the body Primary vs Secondary Primary is the first infection that occurs in a patient Secondary follows a primary infection Exogenous vs Endogenous Exogenous is acquired from the healthcare environment Endogenous is from the patient’s normal flora Acute vs Chronic vs Latent Acute has a rapid onset and is short lasting Chronic develops slowly and lasts for a long time Latent causes no symptoms for long periods of time Stages of infections Incubation Stage Time between pathogen invasion and first symptoms; person may be contagious. Prodromal Stage Early, vague symptoms (e.g., mild throat irritation); not all infections have this stage. Illness Stage Signs and symptoms appear; may lead to recovery or death if untreated. Stage of Decline Pathogen numbers decrease; symptoms fade. Convalescence Stage Healing phase; duration varies from days to over a year Emerging pathogens and diseases Epidemic: when a disease exhibits a sudden increase in morbidity (illness rate) and in the mortality (death rate) above the usual, causing a potential health problem Pandemic diseases are those that spread across continents and may be worldwide Multi-drug resistant organisms Multi-drug resistant organisms (MDRO): are common bacteria (that have developed resistance to multiple types of antibiotics MDRO examples: MRSA: methicillin resistant staph aureus VRE: vancomycin resistant enterococcus ESBL: extended-spectrum beta lactamases PRSP: penicillin resistant streptococcus pnemoniae Body’s defenses against infection Primary Defenses: Skin Respiratory tract Eyes Mouth GI tract GU tract Body’s defenses against infection Secondary Defenses: Phagocytosis Phagocytes ingest pathogens Complement cascade Complement signal basophils to release histamine Inflammation Blood vessels dilate and become more permeable causing edema Fever Rise in core body temperature Body’s defenses against infection Tertiary Defenses: Active: Body makes own antibodies Passive: Antibodies from someone else Specific: Immune cells “learn” to recognize and destroy pathogens Cellular Immunity Humoral Immunity Body’s defenses against infection Specific Immunity B cells (Bone marrow) Humoral immunity Recognize antigens Make specific antibodies against them T cells (Thymus) Basis of cellular immunity Four types of T cells play a role in fighting infection Cytotoxic (killer) Helper Memory Suppressor Types of immunity Types of immunity Naturally acquired active immunity Develops when a person is exposed to an antigen, becomes ill, and recovers Can be lifelong for some diseases May only last a few years Types of immunity Naturally acquired passive immunity Involves the natural transfer of antibodies from a mother to her infant Cross the placenta Breast milk, especially colostrum Types of immunity Artificially acquired active immunity Result of vaccination Injection of antigens Dead or living microorganisms or inactivated bacterial toxin Types of immunity Artificially acquired passive immunity Injection of antibodies in the body Antibodies come from an animal or person who is already immune to the disease Host susceptibility Developmental Stage Breaks in the First Line of Defense Illness or Injury Tobacco Use Substance Abuse Multiple Sexual Partners Environmental Factors Chronic Diseases Medications Invasive Nursing and Medical Procedures Nursing history Information related to infection: Exposure to pathogens in the environment Travel outside of the country Contact with someone ill Unprotected sexual behavior Unusual foods ingested Past and present disease history Medications Current level of stress Immunization history Symptoms of illness Promoting wellness Nutrition Hygiene Rest and Sleep Acute infections deplete the Crucial for maintaining intact Sleep 6-9 hours each night body’s nutritional stores skin Important to monitor and Frequent hand washing support patient’s nutrition A well-balanced diet Exercise and Activity Stress reduction Immunization As important as rest/sleep Correlation between stress Encourage patients to follow Stress reducing activities 3 and disease recommendations for times a week immunizations Exercise at least 30 min 5 Herd immunity days a week Practicing medical asepsis Medical asepsis refers to procedures that decrease the potential for the spread of infections Surgical asepsis means absence of contamination by disease- causing microorganisms Practicing medical asepsis Maintaining Clean Hands Hand hygiene is the single most important activity for preventing and controlling infection “Clean care is safer care”-WHO Need to know type of hand hygiene to use, how long to wash, and when to wash Practicing medical asepsis Time: In a nonsurgical setting, wash for at least 15 seconds. In a surgical setting, wash for 2-6 minutes. Wash for 20 to 30 seconds when using an alcohol-based hand rub. Water: Use warm water and rinse off soap completely Soap: Use agency-approved soap CDC recommends a 60% alcohol-based solution for routine and plain or antimicrobial soap when hands are visibly dirty Friction: Rub all surfaces of the hands and wrists vigorously. Remove jewelry and clean underneath Drying: Use single-use towels or hand dryers Practicing medical asepsis Maintaining a Clean Environment Includes surfaces in a patient’s room, as well as supplies, equipment, and other objects brought into the room Cleaning: is the removal of visible soil from objects and surfaces Keep all public and patient care areas within the facility clean and free from dust, debris, and contamination Disinfecting: removes virtually all pathogens on inanimate objects by physical or chemical means Semi-critical items - that come in contact with mucous membranes Non-critical items - supplies and equipment that come in contact with skin, but not mucous membranes Sterilizing: elimination of all microorganisms Critical items enter the vascular system or sterile tissue Practicing medical asepsis Standard precautions: first tier of protection; apply to all patients Transmission-based precautions: second tier of protection; based on mode of transmission of the infection Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Gloves, Gowns, Masks, and Eye protection Donning PPE Donning PPE Doffing PPE Doffing PPE Preventing transmission of pathogens Protective Environment in Special Situations Immunosuppressed patients may be placed in a special form of isolation called reverse isolation Private room Restricting visitors Wearing PPE for patient care No flowers or fresh fruits Special cleaning or disposal of the patient’s equipment and supplies Preventing transmission of pathogens Control of Potentially Contaminated Equipment and Supplies Protective Isolation: equipment should be disinfected before it is taken into the room Transmission-based isolation: equipment is disinfected on removal from the room Preventing transmission of pathogens Disposing of Used Isolation Supplies Contaminated disposable equipment and materials containing body fluids go in special isolation bags Two workers are required Special disposal methods are required, so make sure only contaminated materials are put in the special isolation bags Preventing transmission of pathogens Sharps Disposal Laboratory Specimens Disposable needles, syringes Place sample in a properly and other sharp items should labeled specimen container ALWAYS be placed in a special Place the container in a special disposable sharps container transport bag immediately after use Practicing surgical asepsis Sterile means “without life” If an object is sterile, it contains no life and therefore no infectious organisms Inanimate objects, such as surgical equipment, gauze dressings or wound irrigation fluid can all be sterile Surgical asepsis or sterile technique requires creation of a sterile environment and use of sterile equipment Practicing surgical asepsis Levels of asepsis Sterile technique is the use of sterile gloves and sterile supplies Modified sterile technique is the use of nonsterile procedure gloves with sterile supplies Clean technique is the use of clean hands (nonsterile gloves) and clean supplies Donning sterile gloves Donning sterile gloves

Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Browser