What is meant by the term “infection control”?
Infection prevention and control (IPC) is a discipline that aims to prevent or control the spread of infections in healthcare facilities and the community.
Name the common hospital-acquired infections
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
- Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE)
- Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Gram-negative bacteria
- Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE)
- Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB)
- Clostridiodes (previously Clostridium) difficile (C. diff)
What impact do hospital-acquired infections have on morbidity?
increases morbidity
What impact do hospital-acquired infections have on mortality?
increases mortality
What impact do hospital-acquired infections have on hospital costs?
Increased cost: Fixed costs plus variable costs (laboratory, radiology, pharmacy)
What is the difference between sterilisation and disinfection?
- Sterilisation is the removal of all micro-organisms including spores
- Disinfection is the removal of most micro-organisms excluding spores
Name methods of sterilisation and disinfection
heat, irradiation, filtration, chemicals
Describe the components of standard precautions
- hand disinfection
- gloves (and mask) when working with blood/bodily fluids
- goggles if blood/bodily fluid splashes are likely
- Safe disposal of sharps
- Safe disposal of contaminated linen and other waste
What are the different ways of performing hand hygiene?
- Hand washing: soap and water
- Hand disinfection: removal of microorganisms
- Hand hygiene: any act of hand cleaning
What are the “5 moments for hand hygiene”?
- Before touching a patient
- Before a clean/aseptic procedure
- After body fluid exposure
- After touching a patient
- After touching patient surroundings
What are the 3 different categories of transmission-based precautions ?
- contact precautions
- droplet precautions
- airborne precautions
What are the basic components of contact precautions?
private room, gloves and gown, wash hands before and after seeing patient, use dedicated equipment, limit movement
What are the basic components of droplet precautions?
side room/1m separation, surgical mask, limit patient movement
What are the basic components of airborne precautions?
Private room with negative pressure, door closed, gloves and gowns, N95 masks
When are contact precautions put in place?
Organisms spread by direct contact (hand-to-hand), Resistant organisms, C. difficile, Enteric pathogens
(especially in children), RSV, Adenovirus
When are droplet precautions put in place?
- Meningococcus
- Haemophilus influenzae type b
- Diphtheria
- Pertussis
- Adenovirus
- Mumps
- Influenza
When are airborne precautions put in place?
TB, measles, varicella
