INFECTION PREVENTION

By, Andrea Mallar

INFECTION PREVENTIONI chose to do my presentation on infection prevention, although I do think about infection prevention, I sometimes forget how important it is. While researching for the presentation I was reminded of how just going to the doctors office or to the gym can make me more susceptible to germs and bacteria. I should always make it a point to wipe down equipment at the gym before I use it and wash my hands right after to prevent infection. This presentation was an eye opener and I will definitely be more aware of these types of situations especially because I have a weakened immune system from my thyroid disorder.

WHAT IS INFECTION PREVENTION?

Infection prevention is a practice that is done in every healthcare setting and applies to all patients regardless of whether the patient has tested positive for infection or not.

WHAT IS AN INFECTION?

An infection is an invasion of germs in the body that multiply and cause damage to the tissues of your body. Not all germs are created equal as we are able to fight off most germs by our bodies own natural defense, while others cause havoc in our bodies also known as pathogens and we end up with a disease and or a severe illness.

WHO IS AT HIGHER RISK FOR AN INFECTION?

Someone with a weak immune system. Someone who is malnourished. Someone with diabetes who has high

blood sugar as a complication of diabetes. Someone with chronic lung disease. Someone who is older or a newborn. Someone with cuts, abrasions, or a

sunburn. Someone who is obese. Someone who has skin folds.

THE TYPES OF PATHOGENS THAT CAUSE DISEASE & ILLNESS INCLUDE;

Viral Bacterial Fungal Parasitic Protozoa Protein

On the next page you will see types of pathogens and some of the different diseases associated with them.

THE TWO MOST COMMON OF THE SIX PATHOGENS ARE;

Bacterial also known as bacteria; is a single-celled microorganism that is present in most types of environments, especially in environments with extreme heat and or cold. Usually bacteria causes little or no harm on the body and can be treated and killed with antibiotics.

Viral also known as viruses; are much smaller than a single-celled microorganism and require a host to multiply such as people, plants, or animals otherwise it cannot survive. Unlike bacteria viruses cannot be treated and killed with antibiotics, as there is no cure.

WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT TO PREVENT HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATED INFECTIONS?

Every day more than 4,600 American patients become infected by their medical care.

Of the 4,600 patients infected daily, 270 will die from their infections every day.

Healthcare infections account for over 1.7 million Americans being infected every year.

It’s one of the top 10 causes of death in the US. Over 99,000 deaths in the US annually are caused

from a preventable healthcare infection (that’s more than AIDS, breast cancer, and automobile accidents combined).

Healthcare infections in the US cost us more than $17 billion dollars annually.

THE % OF DIFFERENT HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATED INFECTIONS;

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1. 32% Urinary Tract Infections

2. 22% Surgical Site Infections

3. 17% General Infections

4. 15% Pneumonia Infections

5. 14% Bloodstream Infections

THE NEXT FIVE SLIDES ARE SOME OF THE WAYS YOU CAN HELP TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATED INFECTIONS INCLUDING SOME RECOMMENDATIONS & TIPS!

HAND HYGIENE WHEN YOU SHOULD PRACTICE IT Before touching a patient, even if you

will be wearing gloves. Right after touching the patient & before

leaving the room. Immediately after contact with blood,

body fluids, excretions, and or wound dressings.

Prior to placing an IV or preparing an injection.

If you are moving from an infected part of the patient to a non-infected part.

After removing gloves.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) WHEN YOU SHOULD WEAR IT Wear gloves for contact with blood, body

fluids, mucous membranes, non-intact skin, & contaminated equipment (never use gloves for more than one patient, re-use, or wash gloves).

Wear a gown during contact or if you anticipate contact with blood or body fluids (always change when seeing a new patient).

Wear mouth, nose, & eye protection during procedures that may cause splashes or sprays of blood or bodily fluids (always change when seeing a new patient).

INJECTION SAFETY

Use aseptic technique. Never ever administer the medications

from the same syringe to another patient even if you change the needle.

Never ever reuse a syringe or needle. Dispose of syringes and needles into a

sharps container that is closable, puncture-resistant, and leak-proof.

Adhere to federal & state requirements for preventing blood borne pathogens.

ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANING

Establish policies for routine cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces and settings.

Focus on cleaning and disinfecting surfaces that patients touch frequently.

Select EPA-registered disinfectants or detergents with labels that are approved for healthcare.

Follow manufacturer's recommendations for use of cleaners and EPA-registered disinfectants.

DISINFECTING & STERILIZATION OF MEDICAL EQUIPMENT

Always make sure reusable medical equipment is cleaned reprocessed properly prior to using on a new patient.

Reusable medical equipment must be cleaned, reprocessed, and maintained according to the manufacturers instructions.

Always wear proper PPE when handling and reprocessing contaminated patient equipment.

RESPIRATORY HYGIENE AND COUGH ETIQUETTE

Post signs for people with respiratory infections make sure they; cover their mouth/nose when coughing or sneezing, use & dispose of tissues, & perform hand hygiene after any of the above.

Provide tissues with no touch trash cans. If there is not a bathroom close by make sure

there is hand sanitizer in or near waiting room. Offer a mask to someone who is coughing. Provide space and encourage someone with a

respiratory infection to sit far away from others.

THE NEXT SLIDE IS HOW TO PREVENT THE SPREAD

OF INFECTION AND BACTERIA IN YOUR HOME!

BACTERIA CAN ALSO BE FOUND IN YOUR HOME HERE ARESOME PREVENTION TIPS

Wash your hands often with soap & water. Cover your nose or mouth when you sneeze &

always wash your hands right away. Keep the kitchen clean (use washable or

disposable cloths never use sponges). Foods should be kept at a good temperature

(to prevent spoiling). Practice food safety (cook your meat). Rinse all fruits and vegetables. Clean areas in your house that you touch

frequently with a disinfectant spray. Trash should be disposed of regularly.

INFECTION PREVENTIONWhile the number of pathogens in the world today is increasing it poses a greater risk on our health and a greater risk for us to develop an infection as well as others around the world. Prevention of these infections cause a great deal of concern on individuals as well as health care organizations. The goal of all health care workers around the world is to prevent infections from occurring and prevent transmissions to others. We all have to stop and think our we doing everything we can do to prevent infection in our workplace and in our home as the saying goes, “infection protection is everyone’s business.”

QUESTIONS FOR THE CLASS:

1. One of the things that grosses me out at the hospital are the privacy curtains (doctors & nurses are constantly touching them) do you think they could be an underlying source of spreading bacteria?

2. Does anyone know or can you find out how often the privacy curtains get cleaned?

3. Have you or someone you know ever been exposed to a healthcare infection, if so please share your or their story.

4. Can you find and share a video on infection prevention?

5. What did you find most interesting about my presentation?

APA CITATION:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). Preventing Healthcare –Associated Infections. Retrieved on October 3, 2011 from http://www.cdc.gov/HAI/prevent/prevention.html

Preventinfection.org. (n.d.). Prevention Central. Retrieved on October 3, 2011 from http://www.preventinfection.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Information_Center

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2011). Infectious diseases. Retrieved on October 3, 2011 from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/infectious-disease/AN00652

Salamon, M. (2010). Health Care Infections: A ‘Winnable’ Public Health Battle? Retrieved on October 3, 2011 from http://www.myhealthnewsdaily.com/healthcare-infections-public-health-101026-0627/

Skinisthesource.org. (2007). Skin Facts. Retrieved on October 3, 2011 from http://www.skinisthesource.org/skin-facts.html

Livestrong.com. (2011). How to Prevent Infection at Home. Retrieved on October 3, 2011 from http://www.ehow.com/how_7606337_prevent-infection-home.html

Parasites and Destructive Organisms. (n.d.). Support. Retrieved on October 3, 2011 from http://www.mineralsupplement.co.uk/Support.php