asepsis

• Microorganisms exist everywhere: in water, in soil, and on body surfaces such as the skin, intestinal tract, and other areas open to the outside (e.g., mouth, upper respiratory tract, vagina, and lower urinary tract)
• Communicable Disease


  An illness caused by an infectious agent or its toxins that occurs through the direct or indirect transmission of the infectious agent or its products from an infected individual or via an animal, vector or the inanimate environment to a susceptible animal or human host
• Virulence


  Severity or harmfulness of a disease
• Infection


  Implantation and successful replication of an organism in the tissue of the host resulting in signs and symptoms
• Infectious Agent


  Microorganism or Etiologic Agent
• Types of Microorganisms

  • Bacteria
  • Fungi
  • Parasites
  • Virus
• Pathogenicity


  Ability of an organism to produce a disease
• Pathogen

  Microorganism that causes disease
• A true pathogen is an infectious agent that causes disease in virtually any susceptible host. Opportunistic pathogens are potentially infectious agents that rarely cause disease in individuals with healthy immune systems
• Asepsis


  Freedom from disease-causing microorganisms
• Medical Asepsis


  "Clean Technique" - practices intended to confine / reduce microorganism
• Surgical Asepsis


  "Sterile Technique" - practices that keep an area or object FREE of ALL microorganisms
• Sepsis


  The condition in which acute organ dysfunction occurs secondary to infection
• Bacteremia


  When a culture of the individual's blood reveals microorganisms
• Septicemia


  When bacteremia results in systemic infection
• Major Categories of Microorganisms

  • Bacteria
  • Virus
  • Fungi
  • Parasites
• Colonization


  The process by which strains of microorganisms become resident flora. In this state, the microorganisms may grow and multiply but do not cause disease
• Local infection


  Limited to the specific part of the body where the microorganisms remain
• Systemic infection


  The spread of infection to different parts of the body
• Acute infections


  Generally appear suddenly or last a short time
• Chronic infection


  May occur slowly, over a very long period, and may last months or years
• Healthcare-Associated Infections


  • CLABSI (Central IV Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection)
  • CAUTI (Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection)
  • SSI (Surgical Site Infections)
  • VAP (Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia)
• CLABSI

  CAUSES: Improper tubing and site care technique, Inadequate hand hygiene
• CAUTI

  CAUSES: Improper catheterization technique, Contamination of closed drainage system, Inadequate hand hygiene
• SSI

  CAUSES: Improper dressing change, Inadequate hand hygiene
• VAP

  CAUSES: Improper suctioning, Inadequate hand hygiene
• 2019 The Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals - Goal 7: Reduce the Risk of Healthcare-Associated Infections
• Goal 7 Requirements

  • Comply with either the current CDC hand hygiene guidelines or the current WHO hand hygiene guidelines
  • Implement evidence-based practices to prevent HAIs due to: Multidrug-resistant organisms, CLABSI, CAUTI, SSI
• 5 Moments of Handwashing


  For routine client care, vigorous hand washing under a stream of water for 15 to 20 seconds using soap at the beginning of the nurse's shift, when hands are visibly soiled, and after using the toilet is recommended (WHO, 2009). After the initial soap and water hand washing, the CDC recommends the use of alcohol-based antiseptic hand rubs (rinses, gels, or foams) before and after each direct client contact
• Iatrogenic infections


  The direct result of diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Ex: Bacteremia that results from an intravascular infusion line
• The hands of healthcare personnel are a common vehicle for the spread of microorganisms
• Factors contributing to nosocomial infections

  • ETIOLOGIC AGENT
  • RESERVOIR
  • PORTAL OF EXIT FROM RESERVOIR
  • METHOD OF TRANSMISSION
  • PORTAL OF ENTRY TO THE SUSCEPTIBLE HOST
  • SUSCEPTIBLE HOST
• ETIOLOGIC AGENT


  Any microbe capable of producing disease (i.e. bacteria, virus, fungi, parasite)
• RESERVOIR


  Where organisms survives and multiplies (people, animals, food, water, soil). A carrier is a human or animal reservoir.
• PORTAL OF EXIT FROM RESERVOIR

  Microorganism: M. Tuberculosis, Reservoir: Respiratory Tract, Portal of exit: Nose or mouth by sneezing, coughing
• Methods of Transmission

  • Direct Transmission
  • Indirect Transmission
  • Droplet Transmission
  • Airborne Transmission
  • Vehicle-born Transmission
  • Vector-born Transmission
• Direct Transmission


  From individual to individual through: touching, biting, kissing, sexual intercourse