Asepsis and Infection Control
NUR 302
Professor Susan Blakey, RN, MS
Infection Cycle
Breaking the Chain of Infection
Organisms Seen in Hospital
 Staphylococcus aureus
Organisms
 Hepatitis B
 Mycobacterium tuberculosis
 Escherichia coli
 Human Immunodeficiency virus
Stages of Infection
 Incubation
Stages of Infection
 Prodromal
Stages of Infection
 Full Stage
Signs and symptoms
 Convalescent
Recovery
Response to Infection
 Normal Flora
 Inflammatory Response
Response to Infection
 Immune Response
At Risk for Infection
 Integrity of skin and mucous
membranes
 Integrity of WBCs
 Vulnerable populations
 General Health Status
 Stress Level
 Indwelling devices
Common Infections
 Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
Common Infections
 Pulmonary Infections
Common Infections
 Skin Infections
PREVENTION
 Careful assessment
 Early detection AND action
 Immunizations
 Assess for infections
Laboratory Data
Normal values are listed. With infection,
all are elevated
 WBCs (5,000-10,000 mm3)
 Neutrophils (60-70%)- acute infection
 Lymphocytes (20-40%)- chronic
infection
 Eosinophils (1-4%)- allergic reaction
 Pathogen present in culture
Patient Outcomes
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Handwashing
Hygiene
Nutrition
Immunizations
Signs of infection
Symptoms of allergies
Asepsis
 Activities to prevent spread of
infection
 Medical asepsis- clean technique
 Surgical asepsis- sterile technique
Medical Asepsis
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Hand hygiene
Carry linens away from your body
No linens on floor
Cover mouth when sneezing
Do not raise dust
Do not shake linens
Clean to dirty
Transmission precautioins
Hand Hygiene
CDC Guidelines
 Soiled hands- Wash with soap and
water
 Not visibly soiled- alcohol based rub
Personal Protective Equipment
 Gloves
 Gown
 Mask
 Protective Eyewear
PPE
Disposing of Contaminated
Supplies
OSHA Precautions
 Standard Precautions
OSHA Precautions
 Airborne Precautions
OSHA Precautions
 Droplet Precautions
OSHA Precautions
 Contact Precautions
Surgical Asepsis
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Sterile can touch only sterile
Do not spill on a sterile field
Hold objects above waist
Do not reach over field
Do not turn back on field
Outer 1 inch is considered sterile
If in doubt, treat as contaminated
Surgical Asepsis
 Donning Sterile Gloves
Surgical Asepsis
 Opening Sterile Packages
Surgical Asepsis
 Sterile Procedures
Nosocomial Infections
 Hospital Acquired
 Handwashing- best way to prevent
nosocomial infections
Antibiotic-Resistant Organisms
 MRSA
Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus
aureus
VRE
Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus
VISA- Vancomycin Intermediate
Resistant Staphylococcus aureus