Infection Control

TPJ3M Health Care

Nicole Klement 2010

What is an infection?

Examples:

a) parasite (ex. Head-lice)

b) A virus (ex. fever, body aches)

c) A bacteria (ex. pus and swelling)

d) All three

Answer

D

All three.

The definition of an infection is:

“A disease process where a micro-organism infects a person usually causing damage to the person”.

What is a Microorganism

a) Tiny creatures and plants

b) Tiny organs in our bodies

c) Tiny living things found everywhere.

d) Something harmful to people.

Answer

C

Tiny living things found everywhere. They can only be seen using a microscope. We are only concerned with Pathogenic microorganisms (those causing disease).

Four main types:-1. Bacteria2. Virus3. Fungus4. Parasites

Examples of come Pathogenic Microorganisms

Bacteria

MOST are Not bad.

To survive they have four main requirements:

Time Moisture Nutrients Temperature

Viruses

Much smaller than bacteria

Can only survive in a host cell

Generally have poor survival in the environment

Need close contact.

Can mutate

Fungus

Two types:

1. Mould

2. Yeasts

Parasites

Head-lice

Scabies

Threadworm

Defence

Hands are the main vehicle for transmission

Please Wash your hands….

Please take a moment and wash your hands at your desk……

Hand Hygiene

Least frequently missed

Most frequently missed

Less frequently missed

Drying your hands

It is important to dry your hands thoroughly after washing them because damp hands can collect, spread and become colonized with potentially infectious micro organisms.

Drying hands also prevents damage to your skin – your first layer of defense.

Please get a set of gloves

Please put on your gloves

Gloves

The main functions of gloves are to: Protect the hands of the wearer from contamination

with organic matter and microorganisms Protect the hands of the wearer from exposure to

chemicals that may damage your skin Reduce cross infection by preventing the transfer of

organisms from person to person

Glove Caution

Be aware of the possibility of: A natural rubber latex allergy Never use plastic gloves for clinical tasks All gloves in health care must be non-

powdered

Aprons

Single use aprons are worn: For potential direct contact with blood or

body fluids For direct contact with an infectious client

and their environment When clothing is likely to become wet soiled

or contaminated

Eye Protection

Protects the eyes from splash or spray

Should be worn when possibility of splash or spray of:

body fluids, chemicals Aerosols

Sharps

Use a biohazard sharps container: Do NOT disassemble needle/syringe Do NOT pass from hand to hand Do not overfill container Use lid if moving box Complete the label on the box and when full.

What should one do in the event of a Needle stick?

a) Immediately suck injured site

b) Prevent bleeding and cover site with dressing

c) Wash area with soap and water

d) Encourage bleeding under running water

Answer

D

Encourage bleeding under running water

Laundry

Did you know:

In order to decontaminate laundry effectively: It should be laundered using a detergent at

or above 65degrees centigrade. If lower temperatures are required, use a

product containing oxygen based bleaching agent or disinfectant.

Cleaning Products

Cleaning products come in many different forms.

In order to kill germs, it must say this on the bottle.

Some will remove dirt and/or kill germs, again this is explained on the bottle.

Personal Hygiene

• Hands and Nails • Skin, Cuts and Spots • Nose, Mouth and Ears • Hair • Clothing • Guts

Reminders

Remember the underpinning knowledge of infection control:

Common infections are caused my 4 microorganisms (virus, bacteria, fungus, parasites).

Infection is most often transmitted by hands. Therefore the importance of correct hand hygiene and protective clothing as essential component in reducing cross-infection