Infection Control

Principles of DiseasePrinciples of Disease

TransmissionTransmission

Microorganisms• Small living plant or animal

• Non-pathogens– Live in or on the body– Part of the normal flora– May be beneficial to the body

• Pathogens– Germs– Cause infection

Types of Pathogens

• Bacteria– One celled plants– Classified by shape

and arrangement– Cocci – strep, staph – Bacilli – TB,

tetanus– Spirilla – syphilis,

cholera

• Protazoa– One celled animals– Found in decayed material and contaminated

water– Malaria, dysentery

• Fungi– Simple plant-like

organism

– Live on dead matter

– Yeasts, molds

– Ringworm,athlete’s foot, thrush

Rickettsiae - Parasitic microorganism– Transmitted to

humans through the bite of a tick,fleas, Typhus and lice, mites

– Rocky Mountain spotted fever

• Viruses

– Smallest microorganism

– Can only reproduce inside humans cells

– Colds, chicken pox, warts, influenza, HIV, Hepatitis

                                                                                                                                                                     

                             

Needs of microorganisms

• To Grow– Warmth

– Darkness

– Source of food

– Moisture

– Aerobic need oxygen

– Anaerobic – don’t need oxygen

  

                                                                    

How Pathogens Cause Infections

• Poisons/toxins– Ex: tetanus

• Allergic Reactions– Ex: runny nose, sneezing

• Attack and Destroy cells they invade– Ex: malaria

Additional Classifications • Endogenous

– Originates inside the body

• Exogenous– Originates outside the body

• Nonsocomial– An infection acquired inside the hospital

• Opportunistic– Infections that occur when the body’s immune

system is weak

Chain of Infection

Asepsis

• Absence of disease-producing microorganisms

• Any area or object containing pathogens is considered contaminated

Levels of aseptic Control

• Antisepsis– Prevent or inhibit

the growth of pathogenic organism but are not effective against spores or viruses.

– Ex: Alcohol/Betadine

Disinfection

• Destroys or kills pathogenic organisms but not always effective against spores or viruses

• Ex: Bleach, Clorox

Sterilization

• The process that destroys all microorganisms both pathogenic and non-pathogenic including spores and viruses.

• Ex: Steam under pressure, autoclave, gas, radiation, chemicals

Most Inexpensive, Quickest, and Effective way to prevent the

spread of pathogens

Standard Precautions

Two Main Ways Pathogens Spread

• Blood– HIV– Hepatitis B– Hepatitis C

• Body Fluids

OSHA• Occupational Safety and Health Administration• 1991 established blood-borne pathogen standard regulations

Regulations

• Determine employees who have occupational exposure

• Provide the Hepatitis B vaccine free

• Provide PPE – Personal Protective Equipment

• Provide adequate hand washing facilities

• Ensure the worksite is maintained in a clean and sanitary condition

Regulations Cont.• Enforce NO eating , drinking, smoking,

applying lip balm or lipstick, handling contact lenses or mouth pipetting in any area potentially contaminated with blood or body fluids.

• Provide adequate sharps containers coded red/orange

• Post signs in areas where there is occupational exposure

• Provide confidential medical evaluation and follow up for any employee with an exposure

• Provide free training for any new updates or changes

Sharps• all needles

• syringes

• syringe bodies

• scalpels

• lancets

• any glass items, such as slides or Pasteur pipettes, that are contaminated with potentially infectious material and/or human blood.

PPE

• Personal

Protective

Equipment

Sterile Technique

• Sterile– Free from all organisms

• Contaminated– Organisms and pathogens are present– Items that touch your clothes or skin or any

area below the waist are considered contaminated

Sterile Field• Never reach across the top of the field

• Reach in from the sides to add to the field

• Never turn your back to a sterile field

• 2 inches around the border are contaminated

• Anything below the level of the tray is contaminated

Methods to Remove Sterile Articles from Sterile Wraps

• Drop Method• Mitten Method• Transfer Forceps

Sterile Field

• Keep Sterile field dry

• Pathogens move quickly through wet surfaces

• Take care when pouring solutions into a sterile field

• When you put on sterile gloves, only handle sterile items

Standards Precaustions

• Used when contacting all patients

Transmission-based Isolation• Airborne

• Droplet

• Contact

• Protective

Communicable Diseases

• A disease caused by a pathogic organism that can be easily transmitted to others

• Spread by – Direct contact with patient– Contact with blood and body fluids– Droplets– Discharge from wounds