CPHMLS - Lesson 2

• Infection is a condition where bacteria or viruses causing disease enter the body
• Infectious diseases are caused by pathogenic microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi
• The chain of infection describes how an infection spreads
• Components of the chain of infection:

  • Infectious agent (bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites)
  • Reservoir (humans, animals, insects, fomites, blood/body fluids)
  • Portal of exit (nose, mouth, mucous membranes, specimen collection)
  • Means/mode of transmission (direct contact, airborne, droplet, vehicle, vector)
  • Portal of entry
  • Susceptible host (patients, elderly, newborns, immunocompromised, healthcare workers)
• Breaking the chain of infection involves targeting the components that create continuous links in the cycle
• Ways to break the chain of infection:

  • Reservoir: disinfection, hand hygiene
  • Portal of exit: sealed biohazardous waste containers, sealed specimen containers, hand hygiene, standard precautions
  • Means/mode of transmission: hand hygiene, PPE, standard precautions, patient isolation
  • Portal of entry: hand hygiene, standard precautions, PPE, sterile equipment
  • Susceptible host: immunizations, patient isolation, nursery precautions, healthy lifestyle
• Universal precautions were introduced by the CDC in 1985 in response to HIV, Hepatitis B and C Virus epidemics
• Hazards are sources of potential damage, harm, or adverse health effects on something or someone
• Types of hazards:

  I. Biological hazards:

  • Disease-producing agents transmitted through various routes of exposure
  • Source: infectious agent
  • Prevention: hand hygiene, PPE
• Biological hazards prevention:

  • Hand hygiene
  • PPE
  • Donning and doffing procedures
  • Proper biological waste disposal
• II. Sharps hazards:

  • Include needles, lancets, broken glassware
  • Disposed in puncture-resistant containers
  • May present serious biological hazards
• III. Chemical hazards:

  • Substances causing physical and health hazards
  • Types: health hazards, carcinogens
• Carcinogens are substances that can cause serious and long-term negative impacts on health, known to be cancer-causing chemicals
• Carcinogens can be categorized as natural or manmade, and even a small amount of these chemicals can severely damage human health
• Chemicals that are flammable may catch fire or ignite when exposed to air or other ignition sources
• Chemicals that are irritant/hazardous to the ozone layer usually cause redness, rashes, or inflammation and can have short-term or long-lasting effects on health
• Gas under pressure pertains to gases stored under pressure that may explode if heated, causing burns or injury
• Corrosive chemicals can cause severe skin burns and damage to tissue upon contact
• Explosives are chemicals that may explode or cause a mass explosion
• Oxidizers are chemicals that can cause severe physical hazards like fires or explosions under certain conditions
• Chemicals hazardous to the environment can cause lasting damage to the environment
• Toxic chemicals, symbolized by a skull and crossbones, can cause irreversible changes or mutations to DNA, health damage, or fatality even at low exposure levels
• When skin contact occurs with chemicals, the best first aid is to flush the area with large amounts of water for 15 minutes and then seek medical attention
• For alkali or acid burns in the eye, wash the eye thoroughly with running water for 15 minutes
• Do not attempt to neutralize chemicals that come in contact with the skin, only those on floors
• When handling acids, always add acid to water to prevent explosive reactions that can cause burns
• Chemicals should be labeled with descriptions of their particular hazards
• Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) provide detailed information on controlled products related to health effects, hazard evaluation, and measures to protect workers
• Radioactive hazards involve the use of radioisotopes, which emit radiation in the form of alpha, beta, and gamma rays
• Electrical hazards expose workers to burns, electrocution, shock, arc flash/blast, fire, or explosions
• Fire/explosive hazards can start or contribute to the spread of fire, requiring proper storage of flammable chemicals and safety procedures
• Physical hazards threaten physical safety and can cause injury, illness, and death in workplaces
• Miscellaneous hazards include ergonomic hazards, cryogenic hazards, and mechanical hazards like centrifuges and glassware
• Degree of hazards is categorized from 0 (no/minimal) to 4 (extreme/severe)