Shelby County ATC
Emergency Procedures
Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Lessons
1. Microorganisms Go
2. Infection Go
3. Asepsis Go
4. Hand Cleansing Go
5. Cleaning Equipment Go
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Microorganisms are small
living bodies that are not
visible to the naked eye.
▫ Nonpathogens - maintain
body processes
▫ Pathogens – cause
infection and disease
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Classes of
microorganisms:
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Bacteria
Protozoa
Fungi
Viruses
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Bacteria are one-celled
microorganisms that are
classified by shape.
Spores are thick-walled
cells created by bacteria
to aid in reproduction and
to make the bacteria
resistant to harsh
environments. Spores can
result in serious illness.
Diseases - food
poisoning, strep throat,
tetanus, syphilis, and
cholera
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Protozoa are the simplest
organisms in the animal
kingdom.
Most protozoa need
moisture to survive, so
they are often found in
watery environments.
Diseases - malaria,
dysentery, and African
sleeping sickness
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Fungi are plant-like
microorganisms that can
be found in the air, in soil,
on plants, or in water.
There are thousands of
types of fungi, including
mushrooms, yeasts, and
molds. Only about half of
these types of fungi are
pathogenic.
Diseases - athlete’s foot,
ringworm, yeast
infections, and thrush
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Viruses are the smallest
type of microorganism.
They are made up of only
a few molecules.
Viruses invade the cells of
a living organism where
they reproduce more
viruses.
Diseases - common cold,
chicken pox, measles,
herpes, hepatitis B and C,
HIV, and AIDS
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Endogenous – begins
inside the body
Exogenous – caused by
something outside the
body
Nosocomial – acquired by
an individual within a
health care facility
Opportunistic – occur
when the body’s defenses
are weak
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An infectious disease
results from an invasion
of microorganisms.
A communicable disease
is a type of infectious
disease that can be
transmitted from one
person to another person.
Not all infectious diseases
are communicable.
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Causative agent
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Reservoir
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Portal of exit
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Mode of transmission
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Portal of entry
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Susceptible host
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Airborne Transmission
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Bloodborne Transmission
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Vectorborne Transmission
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Sexual Transmission
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Foodborne Transmission
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Casual Contact
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Asepsis is a condition that
is free of pathogens.
Maintaining asepsis in a
health care facility is the
primary way to prevent
the spread of disease
from person to person.
It works by breaking the
chain of infection.
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Medical asepsis is
maintaining a clean
environment in order to
reduce the number of
pathogens. It is also
called clean technique.
Surgical asepsis is
maintaining a sterile field
that is free from all
microorganisms and
spores. It is also known as
sterile technique.
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Sterilization is the
highest level of asepsis.
Sterilization is a type of
surgical asepsis that
kills all
microorganisms,
including viruses and
spores.
The most common
piece of equipment
used for sterilization is
called an autoclave.
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Disinfection is a type of
medical asepsis that
destroys most
pathogens, but is not
always effective on
viruses and spores.
Common disinfectant
solutions include
chlorine and bleach. An
object must soak in a
disinfectant solution for
at least 20 minutes to
be properly disinfected.
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Cleaning is the lowest
level of asepsis, and is
also called sanitization.
The cleaning process does
not require harsh
chemicals to destroy
pathogens, so cleaning
can be used on people.
Antiseptic solutions such
as iodine, betadine, and
alcohol are often used in
the cleaning process.
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Hand cleansing is the
most basic and
important type of
medical asepsis.
Hand cleansing is the
number one way to
prevent the spread of
infection.
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When arriving at the health
care facility and immediately
before leaving the facility
Before and after every
patient contact
Before and after a procedure
Before and after handling a
specimen
Before and after touching the
mouth
Before and after wearing
gloves.
After contacting soiled or
contaminated items
After picking up any item
from the floor
After using the bathroom
After coughing, sneezing, or
using a tissue
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Hand washing
◦ Soap and water
◦ Use when visibly dirty
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Alcohol-based hand-rub
◦ Waterless gel, lotion, etc.
◦ Use when not visibly dirty
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Cleaning is the lowest
level of medical asepsis.
To clean objects or
equipment, health care
workers may use soap,
water, and scrub brushes.
Some health care facilities
use ultrasonic units for
cleaning. An ultrasonic
unit uses sound waves
and cleaning solution to
clean dirt and residue
from items.
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