Infection Control Unit 13

Adonis K. Lomibao R.N.12/14/11

Objectives

Spell and define terms Explain principles of medical asepsis Explain components of standard precautions Types of PPE Describe nursing assistant actions related to

standard precautions Describe airborne, droplet, & contact

precautions

Medical Asepsis

Asepsis-the absence of disease-producing microorganisms.

-medical asepsis

-surgical asepsis Medical asepsis-practices reduce the numbers

of microorganisms or interrupt transmission.

-aka-”clean”

-Dirty or contaminated-have been exposed to known or potential pathogens.

Handwashing

Single most important procedure performed to prevent the spread of microbes.

-Vigorous, short rubbing together of all surfaces of soap-lathered hands.

-Followed by rinsing under a stream of running warm water.

Nosocomial infection- infection acquired by a patient while being cared for in a health care facility.

Wash your hands when..?

Before handling food After touching any soiled item or surface Before touching mucous membranes or non-

intact skin Before and after every patient contact Before applying and after removing gloves Before any contact with your mucous

membranes p.182-183

Hand Lotion & Waterless Hand Cleaners

Select a light, non-oily product. Use a personal-sized bottle & do not share. When using waterless, alcohol-based

cleaners:

-Handwash when visibly soiled

-Rub product into hand until dry

-Do not use for pt. With C-Diff

Protecting Yourself

Occupational Exposure- contacting potentially infectious material as you perform your duties

Prevent by using proper medical asepsis & standard precautions

Exposure Incident- your eyes, nose, mouth, mucous membranes, or nonintact skin had contact with blood or potentially infectious material.

Standard Precautions The infection control actions used for all people

receiving care, regardless of their condition or diagnosis.

Apply when you may contact:

-Blood, body fluids, secretions, and excretions

-Mucous membranes

-Non-intact skin

-p.185 Work practice control-procedures to prevent spread

of infections.

Personal Protective Equipment

Gloves (p. 196 When to use) Gown Mask Goggles Face Shield

Transmission-Based Precautions

Precautions used with highly transmittable diseases.

Communicable or contagious disease-may be transferred from one person to another directly or indirectly.

Three kinds of precautions:

-Airborne

-Droplet

-Contact

Airborne Precautions

Transmitted by air currents Pathogens small & light, suspended in air, can

travel through air currents. Examples:

-Tuberculosis

- Measles

Precautions

Private room with negative air pressure N95 Respirator,HEPA filter mask, PFR95 (p.190) Limit pt. Transport to essential purposes only. Use

mask on patient during transport. Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) lights.

Ultraviolet-C light kills or inactivates pathogens. Anteroom-small room just inside entrance to pt.

Room. Reduces escape of infectious organisms. Buffer between changes in air pressures

Masks

Droplet Precautions

Can be spread by large droplets in the air. Spread by sneezing, coughing, talking,

singing, & laughing. Generally don't travel past 3 feet of the patient Examples:

-German measles

-Mumps

-Influenza

Precautions

Private room if possible Wear mask when working within 3 feet of

patient Limit transport to essential purposes. Use

surgical mask on patient.

Contact Precautions

Infectious pathogens spread by direct or indirect contact.

Examples:

-Head or body lice

-Scabies

-MRSA

-C-Diff.

Precautions

Private room if possible Gloves Hand Hygiene with antimicrobial agent Gown Patient transport-Limit to essential purposes. Dedicated patient-care equipment

Isolation Technique

The method of caring for patients with easily transmitted disease

Standard precautions in addition to transmission-based precautions

Isolation unit- may be an area or private room.

Disinfection & Sterilization

Disinfection- the process of eliminating harmful pathogens from equipment and instruments

Sterilization- removes all microorganisms from an item.

Autoclave- uses steam and pressure to kill organisms & sterilize

Sterile Procedures

Surgical asepsis-the environment is kept free of all microbes, both pathogens and non-pathogens.

Equipment & supplies must be sterile. Sterile field- area of sterile equipment and materials.

-One inch around not sterile-keep equipment within 2 inches

-Never reach over field

-Moisture=contamination

-Discard if suspicion of contamination