Nursing Assistant
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Nursing Assistant CHAPTER 7: COMMUNICABLE DISEASE AND INFECTION CONTROL What is a Microbe? Microbe, also called microorganisms Cannot be seen with the naked eye Most consist of just one cell Found in air, soil, water, food, bodies of plants and animals Most cause no harm and are essential for healthy living Normal (resident) flora Pathogens Microbes that cause illness Normal flora can become pathogenic Opportunistic microbes What is a Microbe? Bacteria Most consists of only one cell Group together to form colonies Classified by: Shape Arrangement in a colony The way they stain Gram stain What is a Microbe? Bacteria Aerobic Anerobic Need oxygen to live Die if oxygen is present Most common cause of infection in the health care setting Strep throat Urinary tract infections Skin infections Pneumonia STD’s What is a Microbe? Viruses Smallest of all microbes Only be seen with an electron microscope Not complete cells Cannot reproduce on their own Small bundles of proteins Need a host cell Many illnesses caused by viruses Common cold Fever blisters Chicken pox Hepatitis HIV/AIDS What is a Microbe? Fungi Plant-like organisms Not all are microscopic Some are capable of causing illness Ringworm Athlete’s foot Thrush Candidiasis What is a Microbe? Parasites Live in or on a host Host used for food and protection Transmitted through physical contact Examples: Scabies Pediculosis Some parasites transmitted through blood or feces What is a Microbe? Parasites Helminths Worm like organisms Pinworms, tapeworms, roundworms Transmission method varies Usually eating or inhaling the worm eggs Grow in digestive tract Larvae or eggs passed in the feces Protozoa Take in food Animal like Malaria, amoebic dysentery Defenses Against Communicable Disease The Immune System The bodies defense system that protects us from infection Nonspecific Defense Mechanisms Main one is intact skin Free from cuts, scrapes, and wounds Prevent pathogens from entering the body Mucous membranes Traps pathogens Stomach acid Kills many microbes in what we eat Defenses Against Communicable Disease Tears Kill microorganisms Coughing and sneezing Expels pathogens from the body Defenses Against Communicable Disease Signs of infection Fever Rapid pulse, rapid respirations, changes in blood pressure Pain or difficulty breathing Redness, swelling, or pain Foul-smelling or cloudy urine Painful or difficult urination Diarrhea or foul smelling feces Nausea or vomiting Defenses Against Communicable Disease Signs of infection Lack of appetite Skin rashes Fatigue Increased confusion or disorientation Unusual discharge or drainage Defenses Against Communicable Disease Specific Defense Mechanisms Antibodies Specialized proteins Developed from exposure to a microbe or vaccination Antibiotics Drug that is able to kill bacteria or make it difficult for them produce Penicillin was first antibiotic Bacteria have used ability to change and develop resistance to antibiotics Defenses Against Communicable Disease Multidrug resistant organisms (MDROs) Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) Easily spread from person to person Usually via the hands of health care workers Very common bacteria When normal flora is destroyed others can take over Clostridium Difficile (C.Diff) Yellow, “seedy” diarrhea Unique smell Highly contagious Not killed by alcohol based hand sanitizers Communicable Disease and the Chain of Infection Infection is an illness caused by a pathogen Infections can be local or systemic Many, but not all, are communicable Contagious = easily transmitted through casual contact Communicable Disease and the Chain of Infection Chain of infection A pathogen must be present A reservoir must be present A place suitable for pathogens survival A portal of exit must be available Humans, animals, food, water, milk, and objects How the pathogen leaves the reservoir A method of transmission must be available Direct transmission Close contact between a infected and noninfected person Communicable Disease and the Chain of Infection Indirect transmission Fomites Vector Mosquito Portal of entry must be available Susceptible host Very young or very old Poor general health As long as ONE link in the chain is broken, an infection cannot exist Communicable Disease and the Chain of Infection Infection Control in the Health Care Setting Health care-associated infections (HAIs) Infections people get while they are in the hospital or other health care setting Patient can get while receiving care HCW can get while providing care Nosocomial infection Infection acquired by patients or residents while in a health care facility Infection control Basic practices that are designed to decrease the chance of infection Four major methods medical asepsis, surgical asepsis, barrier methods, isolation precautions Infection Control in the Health Care Setting Medical Asepsis Involves physically removing or killing pathogens Soap, water, antiseptics, heat Goal is to remove pathogenic microbes from surfaces, equipment, and hands Four Techniques: Sanitization Basic cleanliness Handwashing Clean linens Infection Control in the Health Care Setting Antisepsis Killing microbes or stopping them from growing Antiseptic is a chemical that is capable of killing microbes Rubbing alcohol Iodine Disinfection Use of stronger chemicals to kill pathogens Too strong to be used on skin Used to clean objects Infection Control in the Health Care Setting Sterilization Most thorough method of killing microbes Used on objects that need to be free of microbes Surgical instruments, needles, etc Many sterile items are disposable Autoclave to sterilize reuseable items Objects must be sanitized first Must be free of organic material Infection Control in the Health Care Setting Sterilization Most thorough method of killing microbes Used on objects that need to be free of microbes Surgical instruments, needles, etc Many sterile items are disposable Autoclave to sterilize reuseable items Objects must be sanitized first Must be free of organic material Infection Control in the Health Care Setting Handwashing The form of medical asepsis that is most common Single most important method of preventing the spread of infection (according to the CDC) When to wash When you first arrive at your facility Before entering a patient’s room Before entering a “clean” supply room Before obtaining clean linen from a linen cart Before handling a patient’s meal tray Before you go on break and before you leave your shift Infection Control in the Health Care Setting Before and after drinking, eating, or smoking Before and after inserting contact lenses After using the bathroom (sometimes before!!) After coughing, sneexing, or blowing your nose After touching anything that may be considered dirty After picking something up off the floor After removing glove After handling your hair or applying make-up or lip wear Not a good idea to wear rings or bracelets on the job Make sure watch is “cleanable” Infection Control in the Health Care Setting In October of 2002 the CDC issued guidelines for the use of alcohol based hand rubs Advantages of alcohol hand rubs Using an alcohol based hand rub is quicker than washing your hands at the sink Alcohol based rubs are gentler on the skin than soap and water Can be used anywhere Remember if hands are visibly soiled, you must wash with soap and water Infection Control in the Health Care Setting Surgical Asepsis Used for procedures that involve entering a person’s body These procedures disrupt the body’s natural protective barriers Infection Control in the Health Care Setting Barrier Methods PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) Gloves When there is a possibility that you will come in contact with bodily fluids or substances When you are performing or assisting with mouth care When you have a cut or abrasion on your hands When you are shaving a patient or resident When you are performing care on a patient who has broken skin When handling soiled linen or clothing When cleaning equipment that may come in contact with body fluids or substances Infection Control in the Health Care Setting Barrier Methods Gowns Fabric, paper, or plastic Use when your uniform could likely be soiled with bodily fluids or substances Worn only once Masks Protecting you Surgical mask N-95 Respirator Protecting the patient Surgical mask Infection Control in the Health Care Setting Barrier Methods Protective Eyewear Goggles, glasses, face shields Wear when things can spray or splatter
