Infection Control and Safety

• The chain of infection model consists of six links: infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible host

  
• The diagram on virus transmission shows how viruses can spread through the air, contact with surfaces, and by fomites, emphasizing preventive measures like handwashing and wearing masks

  
• Ways to break the chain of infection include preventing spread between individuals, killing germs with disinfectants, and protecting oneself through vaccination and proper hygiene

  
• The five moments for hand hygiene in a hospital setting are before patient contact, before an aseptic task, after body fluid exposure risk, after patient contact, and after contact with patient surroundings

  
• Infection is the invasion and multiplication of microorganisms not normally present within the body, which can be subclinical or clinically apparent, localized or systemic
• Incubation period refers to the time between exposure to an infectious agent and the appearance of symptoms, with two types of infections being communicable and nosocomial/healthcare-associated
• Modes of transmission can be direct (contact, droplet spread) or indirect (airborne, vehicle borne, vector borne), with interventions aimed at controlling the agent, protecting entry portals, and enhancing host defenses
• Host characteristics affecting disease risk include age, sex, occupation, genetics, immune status, race, and religion, with interventions focusing on controlling the agent, protecting entry portals, and enhancing host defenses
• In healthcare settings, infection control procedures involve proper hand hygiene, donning and doffing of personal protective equipment (PPE), and following transmission-based precautions
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) includes gloves, gowns, lab coats, masks, face shields/goggles, and respirators, with proper removal of gloves involving specific steps to prevent contamination
• Hand antisepsis is essential in reducing germs on hands, but hand sanitizers may not eliminate all types of germs, especially when hands are visibly dirty or greasy
• Infection control programs in healthcare institutions aim to protect patients, employees, and visitors from infections, screen employees for infectious diseases, provide treatment for exposed health workers, and monitor at-risk individuals
• Standard hazard warning symbols are used to recognize potential safety hazards, with interventions including controlling the agent, protecting entry portals, and enhancing host defenses
• The biohazard symbol denotes the presence of biohazardous materials that can harm humans or the environment, while biohazard waste must be disposed of safely to prevent infection spread
• The proper way to wash hands involves applying soap, lathering, scrubbing all surfaces, rinsing thoroughly, drying with a clean towel, and using hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available
• A needle and catheter are medical tools used for various procedures, with proper handling and disposal protocols to prevent infection spread
• A poison warning sign with a skull and crossbones symbol is used to indicate the presence of poisonous substances, emphasizing the need for caution and proper handling
• A biohazard waste container is used for disposing of materials that pose a risk to human life, requiring safe and proper disposal methods to prevent infection or contamination
• A poster for workplace safety checklist lists items like head cap, coat, gloves, goggles, mouth mask, and non-slip shoes to ensure worker safety in various environments
• Types of PPE for different infections are categorized based on the type of infection spread (airborne, droplets, contact), with specific recommendations for each type
• The biohazard symbol indicates the presence of materials that can cause harm, requiring proper handling and disposal to prevent infection spread
• The chain of infection consists of six links:

  1. Infectious agent

  2. Reservoir

  3. Portal of exit

  4. Mode of transmission

  5. Portal of entry

  6. Susceptible host

  
• The diagram showing the transmission of viruses illustrates how viruses can be spread through the air, by contact with surfaces, and by fomites

  
• The five moments for hand hygiene in a hospital setting are: before patient contact, before an aseptic task, after body fluid exposure risk, after patient contact, and after contact with patient surroundings

  
• Donning of PPE:

  1. Put on the gown first, ensuring it is fastened at the back of the neck and waist

  2. Ensure the mask covers both the nose and mouth

  3. Place goggles or face shield over the face and eyes

  4. Gloves should extend to cover the wrist of the isolation gown
• Doffing of PPE:

  1. Remove gloves first, ensuring not to touch contaminated areas with ungloved hands

  2. Remove goggles or face shield from the back by lifting headband or ear pieces

  3. Pull the gown away from the shoulders towards the hands so it is turned inside out

  4. Remove the mask by only touching the strings

  5. Wash hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer immediately after removing all PPE
• Biohazard waste includes waste contaminated with blood or other bodily fluids, as well as waste contaminated with chemicals or other hazardous materials

  
• Postexposure Prophylaxis:

  • Needlesticks are the most frequently encountered exposure in phlebotomy, requiring immediate evaluation for appropriate Postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) within 24 hours
  • PEP taken within 72 hours after possible exposure is highly effective in preventing HIV
  • The mainstay of PEP for hepatitis B is the vaccine, with hepatitis B immune globulin recommended in certain circumstances for added protection
• Hazards and Warning Symbols:

  • Chemical Hazard: All chemicals in the laboratory should be presumed hazardous and labeled accordingly
  • Radioactive Hazard: Radioactivity may be encountered in the clinical laboratory when procedures using radioisotopes are performed
  • Electrical Hazard: The laboratory setting contains a large amount of electrical equipment with which workers have frequent contact
  • Fire Hazard: Laboratory personnel should be familiar with procedures to follow in case of a fire
• Fire Extinguishers are classified by the type of fire they are designed to extinguish
• Infectious disease refers to any illness caused by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, prions, etc.
• The purpose of the infection control program is to prevent or minimize the spread of infectious diseases.