Infection Control

• Micro-organisms or microbes are living organisms that require a microscope to observe them. They are usually unicellular, meaning they are made up of one cell
• Examples of micro-organisms

  Viruses

  Bacteria

  Fungi

  Protozoa
• Viruses aren't cells and they are much smaller than bacteria. They reproduce rapidly inside host cells. They cause illnesses such as measles, mumps, chicken pox and colds
• Bacteria are prokaryotic and don't contain mitochondria. They are living cells. They produce toxins that damage cells and tissues. Examples of illnesses caused by bacteria are whooping cough and impetigo
• Protozoas are single celled organisms and they can be parasites. Malaria is a well-known illness caused by protists and transmitted by mosquitos
• Infection is the invasion of a host organism's bodily tissues by disease-causing organisms.
• Colonisation is how micro-organisms can establish themselves in their ideal environment but not necessarily cause disease
• Cross infection can occur by coughing and sneezing without covering mouth, poor personal hygiene, soiled linen and unmarked storage, not washing at correct temperatures and misuse of clinical waste
• Conditions that are needed for the growth of micro-organisms are temperature, humidity, nutrients and time
• Humidity - most pathogens thrive in moist conditions
• Nutrients - most pathogens require organic matter such as blood or urine
• Temperature - most pathogens grow best between 20°C and 37°C
• Time - some bacteria need to be present on an object for several hours before they will infect someone else
• A wound is a break in the skin of deep tissue such as: puncture wound, incisions, bites and stings
• Aseptic technique is used in the sterilisation practice of cannulation, dressing wounds, cleaning wounds and catheterisation. It ensures the reduction of cross contamination of infection from one area to another.
• Cross-infection occurs when hazardous germs are transferred from one person to another. To avoid this you should wash hands and reusable equipment should be sterilised between appointments
• PPE is used to protect healthcare workers by ensuring they are safe from the spread of diseases that they may come into contact with
• Modes of Transmission

  Direct and indirect contact

  Airborne

  Food

  Water

  Droplet

  Vectors

  Bodily fluids

  Mother to baby
• Clostridium-difficile is a bacterium that can be found in people's intestines and it causes disease when the normal bacteria in the gut are disadvantaged