Module 3 Infection Control
If someone leans over a sterile field what should you do?
Consider the field contaminated and restart it from scratch
Autoclave
Container used for steam sterilization
First thing after accident needlestick
Decontaminate with antiseptic
What is a pathogen?
Disease causing organisms in the form of virus, bacteria, fungi, or protozoa
What is a SDS?
Documents containing information regarding chemicals in the work environment
What should you use to sterilize medical equipment?
Dry heat, autoclave
What are biohazard bags made of?
Durable polyethylene
Examples of Surgical Asepsis
During changing of dressings, urinary catheter insertion
Standard precautions
Set of precautions that combines universal precautions with body substance isolation practices to reduce the transmission of pathogens in the clinical setting
What is the final step in the chain of infection?
Susceptible host
Exposure Control Plan
plan that outlines specific work practices to prevent exposure to infectious material and identifies step-by-step procedures to follow when exposures do occur
erythema
reddening of the skin
Sanitization
reduces microbes usually on inanimate surfaces
medical asepsis
reducing the number and transfer of pathogens as well as breaking the chain of infection; clean technique
What items go in sharps containers?
scalpels, needles, should be puncture proof and leak proof and be disposed once it is 2/3 full
bacterium
single-cell micro-organism that reproduces rapidly and causes many infections
sharps container
A puncture-proof container designed specifically to safely dispose of needles, scalpels, and other sharp disposable medical instruments
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
A retrovirus that invades and inactivates helper T-cells of the immune system and is a cause of AIDS and AIDS-related complex
What is a reservoir?
An environment conducive to pathogen survival
What is a fomite?
Any nonliving object or substance capable of carrying infectious organisms Ex. Catheter, hemostats
What are vectors?
Carrier (animal or insect) that can transmit disease
How long should you rub your hands together when washing them?
20 seconds
What percentage of Alcohol is needed for a proper hand sanitizer?
60%
What should you do after accidental fluid exposure?
Flush with large amounts of water
What are the 4 important criteria of sharps containers?
Functionality, Accessibility, Visibility, Accommodation
PPE for positioning a patient with c. diff
Gloves and gown
What materials are placed in biohazard bags?
Gloves, gauze, bandages
What is the most important bloodborne immunization for healthcare workers?
HBV
What does the biohazard symbol look like and where do you find it?
In between patient rooms, red,
PPE for measuring a patient with varicella
Mask and gown
PPE for patient with influenza
Mask, gown
Bloodborne pathogen standard
OSHA standard that identifies sharps as any item that can easily break skin and therefore potentially transmit disease
When should you use chemical disinfectants?
On medical supplies and equipment
What are some common portals of entry?
Open wounds, mouth, nose, eye, intestines, urinary tract, reproductive system
What is contained on a Safety Data Sheet?
Product identification, hazards, composition, first aid, fire fighting, handling, exposure, physical properties, stability, toxicological information
Disinfection
Reduces spread of infection by limiting microbial activity
What causes the heat and erythema?
The dilation of blood vessels so that WBC's can form a capsule around the infected sites
What details should you record after an incident?
Time, date, how, and what type of equipment caused the cut
What is the job of medical professionals in the chain of infection?
To break it at any step
How should you recap a needle?
Using the one handed scoop method using the needle itself to pick up the cap
Examples of Medical Asepsis
Washing hands, cleaning surfaces, disposing of used supplies
What is the most effective way of breaking the chain of infection?
Washing your hands
According to the CDC when should you wash your hands?
When entering or leaving work areas, after any contact with bodily fluid, and before and after patient procedures, eating, and using the restroom
What is Septicimia?
When the bacterial infection enters the blood stream
When should you not use hand sanitizer?
When there is visible debris on your hands or if they are soiled
When should you use eye protection?
Whenever infectious material is present
surgical asepsis
complete removal of microorganisms and their spores from the surface of an object
edema
excessive fluid in the body tissues
PPE for changing a dressing
gloves, goggles, gown
immunocompromised
having an impaired immune system, usually as a result of disease, medication therapy, or surgery
