REMOVALS

• Infection


  Microorganism invades the body, multiplies, and causes injury or disease
• Microbes

  • Bacteria
  • Fungi
  • Protozoa
  • Parasites
• Pathogens


  Microorganisms that cause disease
• Normal flora

  Nonpathogenic microorganisms on our skin and in other areas (GIT) that may cause disease when they enter a part of the body where they do not normally exist
• Local Infection


  An infection affecting only one area of the body
• Systemic infection


  An infection affecting the entire body
• Autogenous infection


  Infection from one's own flora
• Communicable Infection


  Spread from person to person
• Nosocomial Infection


  Acquired in hospitals or other health care facilities
• Antibiotic-resistant infections


  Microorganisms develop resistance to specific antibiotics
• Multidrug resistant organisms (superbugs)


  Pathogenic microorganisms resistant to several drugs
• Chain of Infection


  A continuous link in the transmission of harmful organisms between a source and the susceptible host that must be complete for an infection to occur

  
• Components of the Chain of Infection

  • Infectious agents (source)
  • Reservoir
  • Exit Pathway
  • Means of Transmission
  • Portal of Entry (Entry Pathway)
  • Susceptible Host

  
• Infectious agents (source)


  Causative agent, pathogenic microbe responsible for causing an infection
• Reservoir


  Source of an infectious agent, place where the microbe could grow, survive and multiply
• Exit Pathway


  A way an infectious agent can leave a reservoir host
• Means of Transmission


  • Contact Transmission (Direct, Indirect)
  • Droplet Transmission
  • Airborne Transmission
  • Vehicle
  • Vector-borne
• Direct Contact Transmission


  Physical transfer of infective material from the source to the susceptible host through close or intimate contact

  
• Indirect Contact Transmission


  Transfer of infective material via an object, such as bed linens, instruments, furniture
• Droplet Transmission


  Transfer of an infectious agent to the mucous membranes of a susceptible individual via infectious droplets 5 um or larger that do not remain suspended in the air

  
• Airborne Transmission


  Dispersal of infectious agents that can remain infective for long periods of time in particles less than 5um and can be inhaled

  
• Difference between droplet and airborne transmission

  Droplet Transmission - when droplets of saliva or mucus from coughing and sneezing reach someone's else's eyes, nose, or mouth. More than 5 microns. Airborne Transmission - tiny particles suspended in the air for longer, travel further and can be breathed in by someone else. Less than 5 microns.

  
• Vehicle Transmission


  Transfer of infective material through contaminated items such as food or water
• Vector-borne Transmission


  Transmission by insect or animal vectors
• Portal of Entry (Entry Pathway)


  A way an infectious agent enters a susceptible host
• Susceptible Host


  Someone who is prone to infection (elderly, newborn, immune-suppressed, unvaccinated, with acute or chronic illness)
• Breaking the Chain of Infection


  Stopping infections at the source, preventing contact with substances from exit pathways, eliminating means of transmission, blocking exposure to entry pathways, reducing or eliminating the susceptibility of potential hosts

  
• Ways to Break the Chain of Infection

  • Effective hand hygiene procedures
  • Good nutrition, adequate rest, and reduction of stress
  • Immunization against common pathogens
  • Proper decontamination of surfaces and instruments
  • Proper disposal of sharps and infectious waste
  • Use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • Use of needle safety devices during blood collection
  • Infection control programs
  • Insect and rodent control
  • Isolation procedures
• Four Functions of an Infection Control Program

  • To protect patients, employees, and visitors from infection
  • To screen employees for infectious diseases and to require immunization when needed
  • To provide evaluation and treatment to health workers who have been exposed to infections while performing their duty
  • To monitor employees and patients who are at risk of infection and to collect data from patients and health workers who have been exposed to such danger
• Infection Control Methods


  • Hand Hygiene
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

  
• Hand Hygiene


  Effective way to prevent the spread of infection
• Types of Hand Hygiene

  • Routine hand washing
  • Hand antisepsis
  • Two-minute scrub

  
• Situations That Require Hand Hygiene Procedures

  • Before and after each patient contact
  • Between unrelated procedures on a patient
  • Before putting on gloves and after taking them off
  • Before leaving the laboratory
  • Before going to lunch or on break
  • Before and after going to the restroom
  • Whenever hands become visibly or knowingly contaminated
• Hand Hygiene For Direct Patient Care (According to WHO guidelines)

  • Before touching a patient
  • Before performing a clean or aseptic procedure
  • After a risk of body fluid exposure
  • After touching a patient
  • After touching patient surroundings
• Routine Handwashing Technique


  1. Remove Jewelry

  2. Stand a few inches from the sink

  3. Turn on the faucet and place hands under the running water

  4. Use soap and work up lather

  5. Make sure to scrub all surfaces

  6. Apply a little friction and rub hands together for at least 15 seconds (20 seconds)

  7. Rinse the hands from the wrist to fingertips using downward motion

  8. Dry hands using a clean paper towel

  9. Use the paper towel to close the faucet except when it is foot or motion activated

  
• Use of Alcohol-Based Antiseptic Hand Cleaners

  If the hands are not visibly soiled, cover all surfaces of the hands, including between the fingers, and allow to evaporate for 20 to 30 seconds
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)


  Equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses

  
• Levels of PPE


  • Level 1 - surgical mask
  • Level 2 - surgical mask, goggles or face shield, gown, gloves
  • Level 3 - N95 mask, goggles or face shield, gloves, surgical cap, scrub suits, gowns (or coveralls), shoe covers
  • Level 4 - N95 mask (or PAPR), goggles or face shield, double gloves, surgical cap, scrub suits, coveralls (Hazmat suit), dedicated shoes, shoe covers

  
• PPE Components


  • Gloves
  • Laboratory gown
  • Face mask/respirators
  • Face shields/ goggles
  • Long pants and closed-toe shoes

  
• Gloves


  Wear gloves during blood collection and handling of specimen, should be worn over the cuffs of the lab gown, don't touch surfaces with contaminated gloves, don't touch your face or adjust PPE with contaminated gloves, don't reuse disposable gloves