mlsp w2

• Components of the Chain of Infection:

  • Infectious (causative) agent: Pathogenic microbes like bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and rickettsia
  • Reservoir: Source of infectious agents where they grow and survive, such as humans, animals, foods, water, soil, and equipment
  • Portal of exit: The way infectious agents leave the reservoir host, like through secretions, exudates, blood, feces, or urine
  • Means/modes of transmission: Various ways infectious agents spread from person to person or from the environment to humans
• • Portal of entry: The way infectious agents enter a host, including body orifices, mucous membranes, and breaks in the skin
  • Susceptible host: Someone prone to infection, like the elderly, newborns, immune-suppressed patients, and those with acute or chronic illnesses
• Infection control program:

  • Healthcare institutions should have procedures to break the chain of infection
  • Includes hand hygiene, good nutrition, immunization, insect control, isolation, safety devices, PPE use, and proper waste disposal
• Four main functions of Infection Control Program:

  1. Protect patients, employees, and visitors from infection

  2. Screen employees for infectious diseases and require immunization when needed

  3. Provide evaluation and treatment to health workers exposed to infections

  4. Monitor employees and patients at risk of infection and collect data on exposures
• Standard Precaution:

  • Assumes everyone in healthcare is potentially infected
  • Applies to all blood, body fluids, mucous membranes, and non-intact skin
  • Includes hand hygiene, gloves, masks, gowns, respiratory hygiene, and needles
• Hand hygiene:

  • Essential in healthcare to prevent infections
  • Two methods: routine hand washing and hand antisepsis with alcohol-based sanitizer
  • Steps for routine hand washing: wet hands, apply soap, wash thoroughly, rinse, dry
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):

  • Includes gloves, lab coat, mask, face shield, goggles, and respirators
  • Gloves should be worn during blood collection and specimen handling to prevent contamination
• Nursery and Neonatal ICU Infection Control:

  • Newborns are susceptible to infections due to underdeveloped immune systems
  • Infection control procedures include handwashing, bringing necessary items, leaving blood collection tray outside, and changing gloves between patients
• Blood Borne Pathogens:

  1. Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)

  2. Hepatitis D Virus

  3. Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)
• Exposure Control Plan:

  • Procedures for needlestick injuries, splashes to mucous membranes, cuts, scratches, abrasions, and human bites
  • Includes surface decontamination with bleach solution or disinfectants
• Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA):

  • Provides employees with a safe work environment
  • OSHA standards regulate safety in laboratories, including Blood-borne Pathogen, Formaldehyde, Laboratory, Hazard Communication, Respiratory Protection, Air contaminants, and PPE standards
• Signage and Labeling:

  • Hazard identification system with color-coded symbols for health hazards, flammable hazards, reactivity/stability hazards, and special information
  • Magnitude of severity graded from 0 to 4 for hazards within the area
• All in-house prepared reagents and solutions should be labeled in a standard manner including:

  • Chemical Identity
  • Concentration
  • Hazard Warning
  • Special handling
  • Storage Conditions
  • Date prepared
  • Expiration date (If applicable)
  • Preparer’s Initial
• All laboratories are required to have safety showers, eyewash stations, and fire extinguishers and to periodically test and inspect the equipment for proper operation
• Safety showers should deliver 30 to 50 gallons of water per minute at 20 to 50 pounds per square inch (psi) and be located in areas where corrosive liquids are stored or used
• Eyewash stations must be accessible within 100 feet or 10 seconds travel in laboratory areas presenting chemical or biological exposure hazards
• Other items that must be available for personnel include fire blankets, spill kits, and first aid supplies
• Mechanical pipetting devices must be used for manipulating all types of liquids in the laboratory, including water
• Mouth pipetting is strictly prohibited
• Chemical Fume Hoods are required to contain and expel noxious and hazardous fumes from chemical reagents
• Biological safety cabinets (BSCs) remove particles that may be harmful to the employee working with potentially infectious biological specimens
• U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a safety standard agency
• Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is a major source of safety information for employees using hazardous materials
• Flammable liquids have a flash point below 37.8°C (100°F) and combustible liquids have a flash point at or above 37.8°C (100°F)
• Corrosive chemicals are injurious to the skin or eyes by direct contact or to the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts if inhaled or ingested
• Reactive chemicals can spontaneously explode or ignite or evolve heat or flammable or explosive gases
• Carcinogens are substances that have been determined to be cancer-causing agents
• Biohazard refers to any material that could be harmful to one’s health
• Electrical hazards precautions include using explosion-rated equipment, properly grounded equipment, and not working on live electrical equipment
• In case of electrical shock, remove the source of electricity, ask for medical assistance, start CPR, and keep the victim warm
• The fire triangle has been modified into a three-dimensional pyramid known as the fire tetrahedron
• Classes of fire include Type A (ordinary combustibles), Type B (flammable liquids), Type C (electrical equipment), Type D (flammable metals), and Type E (detonation)
• Radiation exposure is related to time, distance, and shielding
• Symptoms of shock include pale, cold, and clammy skin, rapid and weak pulse, increased and shallow breathing, and expressionless face with a blank stare
• Personal wellness includes personal hygiene, proper nutrition, enough sleep, regular exercise, proper posture, and time to relax