Infection Control - University of Sharjah

Infection Control Chapter 10 1 Contents 1. Definitions and Terminology 2. Chain of Infection 3. Defense Mechanisms 4. Methods of infection control 5. Infectious diseases: Examples 6. Reporting Exposure 2 Terminology Microorganisms:...

Infection Control Chapter 10 1 Contents 1. Definitions and Terminology 2. Chain of Infection 3. Defense Mechanisms 4. Methods of infection control 5. Infectious diseases: Examples 6. Reporting Exposure 2 Terminology Microorganisms: are very small, usually one-celled, living plants or animals, exist everywhere in the environment but can not seen by the naked eye. Infection: is the establishment and growth of microorganism on or in a host. It is an invasion and growth of microorganism in body tissue that cause harm to the cell tissue. Contagious or communicable disease: is a disease that may be transmitted either directly or indirectly from one individual to another. 3 Microorganisms Are either aerobic (require oxygen to live) or anaerobic (do not require oxygen to live). Prefer a warm, moist, dark environment that provides a source of food and human body is the ideal environment Some microorganisms grow on nonliving material and others living organisms (hosts). 4 Normal flora Microorganisms that don’t cause disease commonly reside in a particular environment on or in the body (skin, vagina, and intestines). used in food & drug processing, destroy waste & contribute to our environmental comfort. eg: E.coli is normal flora of GIT, it can become pathogenic if it enter bladder. 5 Chain of Infection It consists of six elements that must be present for an infection to develop Chain of Infection 1. Infectious agent A pathogen must be present: Bacteria Viruses Fungi Rickettsia Protozoa Chain of Infection 2. Reservoir host The pathogen must have a place to live and grow. Examples of reservoir hosts are: human body contaminated water or food, animals, insects, birds, and dead or decaying organic material. Carrier: is humans or animals capable of transmitting the pathogen but have no signs of the disease. Chain of Infection 3. Portal of exit The pathogen must be able to escape from the reservoir host. Examples of portals of exit are blood, urine, feces, breaks in the skin, wound drainage, and body secretions such as saliva, mucus, and reproductive fluids. Chain of Infection 4. Route of transmission When the pathogen leaves the reservoir host through the portal of exit, it must have a way of being transmitted to a new host. Examples are air, food, insects, and direct contact with an infected person. Chain of Infection 5. Portal of Entry The pathogen must have a way of entering the new host. Common ports of entry are the mouth, nostrils, and breaks in the skin. Chain of Infection 6. Susceptible host An individual who has a large number of pathogens invading the body or does not have adequate resistance to the invading pathogen will get the infectious disease.  Signs and Symptoms of Infections Generalized or systemic – Affecting whole body Generalized or systemic infection may cause fever, headaches, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, and increased pulse and respirations Localized – Affecting one area of body Red, swollen, and warm to touch area Drainage Pain Defense Mechanisms Defense mechanisms are present to resist infections, include 1. Natural defense 2. Acquired immunity – Active immunity – Passive Immunity Natural defense Cilia: respiratory tract that catch and move pathogens out of the body Coughing and sneezing: to propel pathogens outward Tears: contain chemicals to kill bacteria Hydrochloric acid in the stomach: destroys pathogens Mucous membranes of the respiratory, reproductive, and digestive systems, which serve to trap pathogens Fever: kill microorganisms Increase of leukocytes (white blood cells) to destroying pathogens 15  Individual injected with antibodies Individual develops antibodies Antibodies become weaker over time. It is long term it is short term Breaking the Chain of Infection Breaking at least one link stops the infectious disease. The practices and techniques that health care professionals use daily are designed to break the chain. 17 Breaking the Chain of Infection How can I decrease the source of microorganisms? Perform proper handwashing. Decontaminate surfaces and equipment using antiseptics, disinfectants, sterilization. Avoid contact with patients Breaking the Chain of Infection How can I prevent the transmission of microorganisms? Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when indicated. PPE includes caps, gloves, gowns, masks, booties, and eye protection. Follow isolation procedures when indicated. Breaking the Chain of Infection How can I maximize the resistance of the host? Provide good hygiene Ensure proper nutrition and fluid intake Decrease stressors that weaken the immune response Methods of infection control 1. Medical Asepsis 2. Sterilization (Surgical Asepsis) 3. Standard Precautions 4. Isolation Precautions (Transmission-Based Precautions) 21  1. Medical asepsis The most effective way to help prevent the spread of microorganisms is good handwashing technique Is a reduction in number of infectious agent. Simple cleanliness (basically maintaining a dry, clean environment by dusting and washing floors) Disposal of gloves 22 2. Surgical Asepsis (Sterilization): Procedures that eliminate the presence of pathogens from objects and areas. Is a complete removal of all microorganism from equipment and environment. Is a procedure used to prevent contamination before , during and after surgery using sterile technique. Sterile field is an area that has been designated as free of microorganisms 23 3. Standard Precautions Standard precautions must be followed to prevent contact with potentially infectious body fluids. including: Blood All body fluids, secretions, and excretions except sweat Non-intact skin Mucous membranes Any unidentified body fluids 24 3. Standard Precautions Safety measure that must be taken include the following: 1. Hand washing 2. Gloving 3. Personal protective equipment (gloves, gowns, facemask, goggles, bags) 4. Avoid needle recapping if necessary use one handed scope technique 5. Bio-spills- to clean the bios-pills gloves must be worn Apply Standard Precautions for all pt 25 4. Isolation Precautions (Transmission-Based Precautions) Is a system use to reduce the risk of airborne, droplet and contact transmission. Isolation techniques are used in conjunction with Standard Precautions. 2 main categories: (i) Reducing transfer of disease from patient to worker (ii) reducing transfer of disease worker to patient 1. Airborne Precautions 2. Droplet Precautions 2. 3. Contact Precautions 1. Airborne Precautions 27 2. Droplet Precautions 28 3. Contact Precautions 29 Some infectious diseases 1. Hepatitis 2. AIDS- HIV 3. TB Hepatitis B virus infection Major infectious blood-borne occupational hazard for health care professionals. HBV can be spread via several routes: Parenteral: Blood transfusion, needle sharing by intravenous (IV) drug users, needle stick, or other sharp instrument Mucous membranes: Blood contamination of the eye or mouth Sexual contact Perinatal: From infected mother to newborn infant 31 Other Hepatitis infection Hepatitis A: transmitted through food and water contaminated with feces. Hepatitis C: is primarily spread by: –contact with blood or blood products. –Sexual transmission is also possible, but is much less common –There is no vaccine for HCV. Hepatitis D: appears only as co-infection to hepatitis B. –Hepatitis B vaccines provide protection from HDV infection. Hepatitis E: transmitted through food and water contaminated with feces. Safe and effective vaccines to prevent HEV infection have been developed but are not widely available. Both hepatitis B and C have the potential to develop into chronic infections and cirrhosis. Hepatitis B ,C, and D are blood borne Hepatitis A and E are transmitted through contaminated food and water HIV HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is virus causes AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). HIV positive: Individuals infected with the virus, is not having AIDS AIDS: means the immune system become weakened as a result of the virus. The routes of transfer is due to: – Contaminated blood or needles. – Fluids containing blood. – Sexual transmission – From mother to fetus via the placenta. – It can be also transmitted through breast milk. 33 Tuberculosis- TB Is a chronic disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacterium It affects the lungs, but can possibly infect any part of the body.( Spine and bone) TB is an airborne disease, spread through the air from one person to another. Spread through coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings. TB is a communicable disease.  Nosocomial Infections Nosocomium : Latin word means hospital It is an infection caught in a hospital is called nosocomial Sources of nosocomial infection: 1. Medical personnel: by direct skin contact – ingestion – inhalation) eg. food handler and cooker, surgeons 2. Patient flora: in case of healthy person the relationship between them is neutral or beneficial but when the person is compromized it become harmful. 3. Contaminated hospital environment 35 Other infectious diseases Mad cow disease West Nile virus Ebola virus Bird flu – H5N1 avian influenza Swine flu – H1N1 influenza COVID-19 Reporting Exposure Must immediately report any exposure to blood or body fluids Write incident or injury report Refer to exposure control plan Handwashing for Patient Care Questions Thank You And Wish You All The Best 40