Term | Definition |
Role of nurses in infection control: | Prevention of infection
Awareness of infection cycle
Compliance with infection control measures |
Infectious Agent: | bacteria, viruses, fungi. (Pathogens &
Normal flora that become pathogenic) |
Reservoir: | natural habitat of the organism (Where pathogens live and multiply (H2O – E coli)
May be living
Humans, animals, insects
May be nonliving
Food, floors, equipment, contaminated water) |
Portal of Exit: | point of escape for the organism (Bodily fluids
Coughing, sneezing, diarrhea
Seeping wounds
Tubes, IV lines) |
Means of Transmission: | direct contact, indirect contact, airborne route
(Direct – touching, kissing, sexual contact
Indirect – contact with a fomite
Droplet: Cough, sneeze
Airborne: Via air conditioning, sweeping) |
Portal of Entry: | point at which organisms enter a new host (Eye, nares, mouth, vagina, cuts, scrapes
Wounds, surgical sites, IV or drainage tube sites)
Bite from a vector |
Susceptible Host: | must overcome resistance mounted by host’s defenses (Person with inadequate defense
Three determining factors:
Virulence
Number of organisms
Host’s defenses) |
Bacteria: | Most commonly observed infection causing agent in healthcare organizations. |
Aerobic: | stain violet. requires O2 to grow |
Anaerobic | do not stain. are bacteria that do not need oxygen to live. |
Antibiotics: | are classified as treating gram negative, gram positive or broad spectrum. |
Virus: | Smallest of microorganisms. Common cold, Influenza, HIV, Herpes are caused by viruses.Antivirals given in the prodromal period are effective on some viral infections
*Antibiotics may work on viral. |
Fungi: | Plant like organisms – mold & yeast
Present in the soil, air and water. Antifungal medications are available. |
Examples of Fungi: | ringworm, athletes foot, candidas albicans, vaginal yeast infections, and candidal diaper rash. |
The most significant and commonly found infection-causing agent in healthcare institutions: | Bacteria |
Fungi (molds and yeasts): | can cause infection and are present in the air, soil, and water. |
Viruses: | cause infections including the common cold and do not respond to antibiotics. |
Possible Reservoirs for Microorganisms: | Other humans
Animals
Soil
Food, water, milk
Inanimate objects |
Food poisoning: | mad cow, lysteria (canteloupe) |
Inanimate object: | floors, equipment |
Common Portals of Exit: | Respiratory
Gastrointestinal
Genitourinary tracts
Breaks in skin
Blood and tissue |
Respiratory: | cough or sneeze |
Gastrointestinal: | Diarrhea |
GU (genitourinary): | catheter (UTI) |
Skin: | seeping wounds |
Means/Methods of Transmission: | Direct
Indirect
Vehicle-borne
Vector borne
Airborne |
Direct: | touching, kissing, biting, sneezing, sexual intercourse, coughing, spitting – droplet spread. |
Indirect: | (vehicle borne) inanimate object/material – handkerchief, toys, soiled clothes, cooking utensils, surgical instruments, dressings, water, food, blood, serum, (Hepatitis A food) |
Vector borne: | an animal insect – salivary fluid during biting, Depositing feces. |
Airborne: | dust or droplet nuclei. |
The entry route into the new host often is the same as the exit route from the prior reservoir: | Urinary
Respiratory
Gastrointestinal Tracts
Skins
microorganisms must enter the body to cause infection
(Mouth, nose, cuts, scrapes, vagina) |
Susceptible Host: | Any person at risk for infection
Compromised host – increased risk
Immune deficiency conditions |
Any person at risk for infection: | Compromised host – increased risk, young – infant/newborn, elderly, immune suppression treatment for CA/HIV, chronic illness, immune deficiency conditions. |
Hand hygiene: | is the single most effective method of preventing the spread of infection. |
There are four stages of infection: | 1.Incubation 2.Prodromal 3.Full stages of the illness 4.Convalescent period |
Incubation: | |
There are four stages of infection: | 1.Incubation 2.Prodromal 3.Full stage of the illness 4.Convalescent period |
Incubation: | Interval between invasion and the appearance of symptoms. Organisms are growing and multiplying. Length – varies ( 1-2 days to longer). Tetnus – 2-21 days. Influenza – 1-4 days. |
Prodromal: | Most infectious period. Not aware contagious ---spread. Early signs and symptoms
(Fever, Malaise, Vague)
Length- several hours to several days |
Full Stage of the Illness: | Presence of signs and symptoms of disease indicates entry into this period
Severity of manifestations and length of illness are dependent on type of infection
(Localized vs. systemic) |
Convalescent Period: | Recovery Period. Convalescence will vary:
Severity of the illness. Patient’s general condition. Signs and symptoms disappear
Return to healthy state. Possible temporary or permanent changes to health state even after this period. |
Localized: | illnesses limited or localized to one body area. |
Systemic: | symptoms manifested through out the entire body. |
Portal of Entry: | is the point in the chain of infection in which the organism enters a new host. |
Bacteria: | are the smallest of all microorganisms. |
During the prodromal stage of illness: | A person is most infectious. Person is not aware contagious, symptoms are vague, therefore spreads. |
Hand Hygiene: | is the most effective way to prevent the spread of organisms. |
The reservoir of a microorganism: | is the natural habitat of the organism where growth and multiplication occur. |
Vectors: (mosquitoes, ticks, and lice) | are carriers that transmit organisms from one host to another. |
The Inflammatory Response: | helps the body to neutralize, control, or eliminate an offending agent and to prepare the site for repair. |
Transmission-based precautions: | are used for patients in hospitals with suspected infection with pathogens that can be transmitted by airborne, droplet, or contact routes. |
The Infection Control Process of Sterilization: | destroys all pathogenic organisms, including spores. |
Types of Infection: | Colonization, Local infection, Systemic infection - (Bacteremia, Septicemia)
Acute, Chronic |
Colonization: | Strains of microorganisms become resident flora. Infection occurs when newly introduced microorganisms invade a part of the body where the host’s defense mechanisms are ineffective and the pathogen causes tissue damage. |
Local Infection: | limited to part of the body. |
Systemic Infection: (bacteremia & septicemia) | spread and damage. |
Bacteremia: | culture of blood reveals microorganisms. |
Septicemia: | bacteremia results in systemic infection. |
Acute Infection: | appear suddenly and last a short time. |
Chronic Infection: | occur slowly over a long period of time and lasts for month or years. |
(Reason for why some people get sick and others don't)
Potential for an organism to cause infection in a particular individual depends on: | Number of organisms
Virulence of organism
Immune status
Length & intimacy of contact with organism |
All of the factors in the infection cycle: | must be present for illness to occur. “Perfect storm” |
Organisms: | can establish as normal flora and are part of the body’s natural defense system. |
Opportunist Infection: | other factors align in such a way that this usually harmless organism generate infection.
Ex: Ecoli stain found in GI tract is benign, if travels to urinary tract ----UTI |
Endemic: | infections may occur with predictability in one specific region or geographical areas.
Example: (Such as Denge fever, which is Southeast Asia, but can pose a significant health risk if emerges in US). |
Factors Affecting the Risk for Infection: | Integrity of skin and mucous membranes, pH levels of the GI and GU tracts, Integrity and number of the body’s WBC &
Age, sex, race, and hereditary factors. |
Factors Affecting the Risk for Infection: (cont) | Immunizations, natural or acquired, Level of fatigue, nutritional and general health status, Stress level, Use of invasive or indwelling medical devices. |
Classification of Infections: | Through Location & Duration. |
Local: | Occurs in a limited region in the body (urinary tract infection, & pneumonia). |
Systemic: | Spread via blood or lymph, Affects many regions - septicemia |
Duration: | acute, chronic, latent |
Acute: | Rapid onset of short duration
Example: Common cold |
Chronic: | Slow development, long duration
Example: Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, osteomyelitis. |
Latent: | Infection present with no discernible symptoms
Example: HIV/AIDS |
Nosocomial Infection: | An infection acquired in a health-care facility (hospital acquired infection). Cost to the health-care system = $4.5 billion/year, Reportable, Leading cause of death, Preventable with use of aseptic principles/ techniques. |
Exogenous Nosocomial Infection: | Pathogen acquired from health-care environment |
Endogenous Nosocomial Infection: | Normal flora multiply and cause infection as a result of treatment |
Nosocomial Infections: | Can develop during a patient’s hospitalization or after discharge. Hospital surgical or medical intensive care units are the most common. |
Healthcare Acquired Infections: | Surgical Sight Infection (SSI), Catheter Associated Infections (CA-UTI), Central Line Associated Blood Stream Infections (CLABSI) |
Any tubes: | potential infection. |
Assessing: | Patient history, observe, review data |
Patient History: | Vaccines
Recurrent or recent infections
Signs and symptoms, history of current illness |
Observe: | Nonverbal cues
Sign & symptoms |
Signs & Symptoms: | localized & systemic. |
Localized Infection: | Redness, swelling, warmth
Pain or tenderness
Loss of function in body part |
Systemic Infection: | Fever
Tachycardia and tachypnea
Lethargy, anorexia
Tenderness and enlargement of lymph nodes |
Lab Data: Elevated WBC | increased neutrophils in acute infections, increased lymphocytes in chronic infections or viral, increased monocytes- severe infections and function as, phagocytes/scavengers, Eosinophil- allergic reactions or parasites |
Elevated erythrocyte sediment rate: | rate that RBC settle to bottom of tube when inflammation is present settle more rapidly. |
Body’s Defense Against Infection: | Body’s normal flora, Inflammatory response, and Immune response |
(Primary Defenses)
Anatomical features, limit pathogen entry: | Intact skin
Mucous membranes
Tears
Normal flora in GI tract
Normal flora in urinary tract |
(Secondary Defenses)
Biochemical processes activated by chemicals released by pathogens: | Phagocytosis
Complement cascade
Inflammation
Fever |
Inflammation - Body’s defensive response to an infectious agent: | Destroys or dilutes agent
Prevents further spread of injury
Promotes repair of damaged tissue |
Inflammation - Characterized by 5 signs: | Pain
Swelling
Redness
Heat
Impaired Function of the part |
Exudate: | drainage |
Serous: | clear |
Sanguinous: | contains blood |
Purulent: | contains pus |
Neutrophils: | through epitaxis , move to area of inflammation to rapidly phagocytize the organism and consume cell debris and foreign material. |
Exudate: | is composed of fluid, cells and inflammatory by products |
phagocytize: | phagocyte devour bacteria |
Antigen –Antibody reaction (immune response): known as the humoral immunity | Humoral Immunity
Antigen
Antibody |
Antigen: | foreign material (splinter) |
Antibody: | body produces in response to the antigen |
Cell-mediated defense (immune defense): | Cellular immunity
Lymphocytic action |
Cellular Immunity: | increase in lymphocytes that destroy and react with cells the body recognizes as harmful, defend body against bacteria, viral, fungal as well as malignant cells. |
Two Types of Immunity: | Active & Passive |
Active: actively exposed to the antigen in illness or vaccine | *Natural- person is exposed to disease, contracts the disease, establishes immunity. *Artificial – induced by vaccine with antigen. |
Passive: the antibody is passed to the patient, short term immunity | *Artificial- short term immunity by vaccine with antibody, such as gamma globulin.
*Natural – placenta transfer of antibody from mother to fetus. |
Active: | natural: chicken pox
artificial: vaccinations (MMR, Hep B) |
Diagnosis - Nursing: | Anxiety related to high risk infection
Anxiety related to social isolation
Risk for imbalances body temperature related to infectious process |
Anxiety can be due to: | illness, fear, lack of knowledge, social isolation, high risk or susceptibility for infection |
Risk for Imbalanced body temperature related to infectious process: | Dehydration |
Anxiety related to high risk infection: | social isolation --- who might experience this? -> (example: TB w/ children – scary yellow gowns and masks) |
Plan and Implementation - Nursing interventions will depend upon: | Susceptibility of the host
Virulence of organism
Patient’s sign & symptoms
Impact of the illness on patient as a holistic being |
Virulence: | ability of organism to invade |
Virulent: | Latin meaning “poisoned wound” |
Expected Patient Outcomes: | Demonstrate :
Effective hand washing
Personal hygiene
Disposal of soiled articles
Cough etiquette
Awareness of appropriate vaccines
Identify signs of infection
Maintains adequate hydration and nutrition |
Factors that Increase Infection Risk: | Developmental stage
Breaks in the skin
Illness/injury, chronic disease
Smoking, substance abuse
Multiple sex partners
Medications that inhibit/decrease immune response
Nursing/medical procedures |
Bacterial Flora: | Transient and Resident |
Transient: | Attached loosely on skin, removed with relative ease. Transient are usually removed by hand washing, they have the ability to adjust the environment and become resident. |
Transient: cont' | If Pathogenic bacteria become resident bacteria on the skin, the hands become carriers of the particular organism. To prevent transient bacteria from becoming resident bacteria…important to cleanse the hands properly. |
Transient: cont' | **Most important step in preventing infection spread and breaking the cycle is effective hand hygiene |
Resident: | found in creases in skin, requires friction with brush to remove. |
Aseptic Technique: | Includes all activities to prevent or break the chain of infection. |
Medical Asepsis: (clean technique) | practices and procedures that reduce the number and transfer of pathogens (clean technique)– most common EXAMPLE: hand hygiene, wearing gloves |
Surgical Asepsis: (Sterile technique) | practice used to render and keep objects and areas free of microorganisms (sterile technique) EXAMPLE: Urinary catheter placement, inserting an IV catheter |
Implementing Surgical Asepsis: | Creation of a sterile environment
Use of sterile equipment/supplies
Sterilization of reusable supplies
Surgical hand scrub
Surgical attire
Sterile gloves
Sterile field
Use of sterile technique |
Implementing Surgical Asepsis: cont' | Sterile on sterile only. 1 inch border around sterile drape is “ not sterile” , when sterile gloves are not worn a nurse can touch the outer 1 inch border. |
Implementing Surgical Asepsis: cont' | Do not shake products, or reach across a sterile field, sterile products above the waist above waist, do not turn back to a sterile field. |
Implementing Surgical Asepsis: cont' | “ when in doubt…throw it out” – consider everything contaminated unless can prove it is sterile. Disinfectant does not sterilize. If do not know it is sterile, discard. |
Performing Hand Hygiene: | Before and after direct contact with patients, Before and after using gloves, Before inserting urinary catheters, IV, or invasive devices. |
Performing Hand Hygiene: cont' | If moving from a contaminated body site to a clean body site, After contact with objects (including equipment) located in the patient’s environment. |
Personal Protective Equipment and Supplies (PPE): | Gloves
Gowns
Masks
Protective eye gear |
Blood Borne Pathogens: | Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV |
Needle sticks and transfer of blood borne pathogens: | are true risk to health care providers. |
Hepatitis B: | Risk factor: contact with infected blood or OPIM (other potentially infections materials) – serum, saliva, CSF, all cultures, any fluid contaminated w/ blood |
Hepatitis C: | HCV causes liver inflammation
Risk factor: Direct blood-to-blood contact |
HIV: | attacks the bodies immune system and causes AIDs
Direct blood-to-blood contact and sexual contact
May show no signs or symptoms for up to 10 years or longer |
Blood borne pathogens is transferred: | with contact of blood or other body fluids other potential means of infection (OPMI)Saliva
Semen
Cerebrospinal fluid
Any body fluid visibly contaminated with blood
Unfixed human tissue/organs
All cultures/culture fluids of human bloodborne pathogens |
Contact Precautions - pathogen is spread by direct contact: | Sources of infection - draining wounds, secretions, supplies |
Precautions include: | Possible private room
Clean gown and glove use
Disposal of contaminated items in room
Double-bag linen and mark |
Droplet Precautions: | coughing, sneezing, and touching contaminated objects |
Precautions include: | Same as those for contact
Addition of mask and eye protection within 3 ft of client |
Airborne Precautions: | Transmission via ventilation systems, shaking sheets, sweeping |
Precautions include: | Same as those for contact, with addition of special mask
Negative pressure room |
Blood and semen: | body substances that most easily transmits human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). |
Safe injection practices: | A nurse is caring for a patient who is on contact precautions. The nurse is to give an IM dose of Reocephin. This is the signle most important practice. |
Neutropenic Precautions: | Provide a healthy caregiver
Restrict visits from friends and family members who have colds or contagious illnesses
Avoid standing collection of water in the room (ie. With flowers or in humidifiers) to prevent bacteria typically found in this water |
Neutropenic diet: | No raw meats, veggies, fruits
No deli foods
No uncooked or partially cooked eggs |
Healthcare-associated pathogens resistant to antibiotics: | Methicillin & Vancomycin |
Methicillin | resistant S. aureus (MRSA) |
Vancomycin: | resistant enterococcus (VRE) |
Strategies to Protect the Patient: | Practice meticulous hand hygiene, Use indwelling and IV catheters only when essential and remove as soon as no longer needed, Implement and follow an antibiotic protocol that ensures prudent use of vanco and extended-spectrum cephalosporins |
Strategies to Protect the Patient: cont' | Place a patient with multidrug-resistant organisms in a private room, Disinfect high-touch surfaces in the patient’s room |