Download Drug Resistant Bacteria

!
In the Know, Inc. Inservice Club
presents
An Infection Control Module:
Understanding Drug Resistant Bacteria
We hope you enjoy this Inservice, prepared especially for nursing
assistants like you. You work very hard, and we appreciate the
effort you make to complete these educational materials. It
shows your desire to continue learning and growing in your
profession.
After finishing this inservice, you will be able to:
• Discuss the role that bacteria play in our lives.
• Describe how bacteria become resistant to antibiotics.
• Name at least three drug-resistant bacteria.
• Describe at least six ways to help prevent drug-resistant bacteria from spreading.
• Demonstrate proper infection control procedures—including standard precautions and
handwashing— in your daily work.
Instructions for the Learner
!
If you are studying the inservice on your own, please:
• Read through all the attached materials. You may find it useful to have a
highlighting marker nearby as you read. Highlight any information that is new to
you or that you feel is especially important.
• If you have questions about anything you read, please ask
______________________________________.
• Take the quiz. Think about each statement and circle the best answer.
• Check with your supervisor for the right answers. You pass the quiz with at least
eight correct answers! Print your name, write in the date, and then sign your
name.
• Keep the inservice information for yourself, and turn in the quiz page to
_______________________________________ no later than _________________.
• Show your Inservice Club Membership Card to
______________________________________ so that it can be initialed.
!
THANK YOU!
In the Know, Inc.
In The Know
The Inservice Club for Nursing Assistants
Words To Know
Microbes are invisible
organisms such as fungi,
viruses and bacteria. Not
all microbes cause
disease.
It’s a Bug’s World!
Fungi are tiny molds,
mildews, rusts and
yeasts. Some fungi can
cause health problems.
Thousands of different diseases can affect human
beings. Some diseases—such as cancer and
diabetes—develop on their own. Others—such as
sickle cell anemia—are inherited by children from
their parents. And, still others—such as pneumonia
and tuberculosis infections—are caused by tiny living
organisms called bacteria.
Viruses are primitive
“creatures” that cannot
live on their own. But,
when attached to living
cells, they become
“poison factories”.
In the early 1900’s, infectious disease was the main
cause of death in America. Then, in 1928, penicillin
was discovered. By 1941, penicillin was used
successfully as an antibiotic. Doctors were thrilled to have a drug that killed
bacteria.
Bacteria are tiny living
organisms made from
just one cell.
As more and more antibiotics were created, doctors hoped that they could
totally wipe out diseases—like small pox, meningitis and typhoid—by
making bacteria extinct! For a while, their plan seemed to be working. But
now it’s clear that the bacteria are fighting back.
Pathogens are
microbes that are
harmful to human
beings.
“Germ” is the nickname
for disease-causing
microbes.
Bacteria have been on this earth for 3.5 billion years! And they have spent
that time learning how to survive—no matter what. Even though they
have been attacked by antibiotic drugs for 60 years, bacteria have not
given up. Instead, they have become resistant to the antibiotics. This
means that many of our most powerful drugs no longer work. They are
powerless against the bacteria they were supposed to destroy!
Nosocomial infections
are infections that
people pick up in the
hospital (or other health
care setting).
Drug-resistant bacteria are not new. The man who discovered penicillin, Sir
Alexander Fleming, warned of the dangers of drug resistance in 1929. But
scientists had faith that they could develop newer and more powerful
antibiotics, so they ignored the warnings. Now, scientists are beginning to
wonder just who is smarter...people or bacteria?
© 2001 In the Know, Inc.
May be copied for use within each
physical location that purchases
membership in the Inservice Club. All
other copying or distribution is strictly
prohibited.
By learning more about drug-resistant bacteria, you’ll understand the
importance of proper infection control procedures. And, you’ll be able to
help protect yourself and your clients from dangerous infectious
diseases.
PAGE 2
I N T H E K N OW
Interesting Facts About Bacteria
•
•
•
One single bacterium can
multiply to 250,000
bacteria in just a few
hours.
•
There are no
male or female
bacteria. They
reproduce by
simply dividing
in two.
•
Some bacteria need
oxygen. Others die if
oxygen is present. Some
bacteria like it cold. Others
like it hot. Bacteria can live
on the surface of the
earth—and they can live
deep inside the earth.
(Scientists know that there
are bacteria alive at least
four miles down under
your feet.)
There are over 10 million
bacteria on every square
inch of a person’s armpit.
Q: What do you call the
back door to a
cafeteria?
Between our toes, we
probably have tens of
millions of bacteria—even
right after a bath!
There are about 10 billion
bacteria living in your
teeth, mouth and gums.
•
There are more bacteria in
one person’s gut than the
total number of people who
have ever lived!
•
Doctor: Well, Mrs.
Jones, here’s some
antibiotics, but you
know...exercise kills
germs, too.
Each of us has about a
trillion bacteria on our
skin. (That’s
1,000,000,000,000,000
bacteria.)
•
Unborn babies are
bacteria-free. But, by the
time they are one day old,
babies are
covered by
a thin film
of bacteria.
•
Scientists have identified
about 4000 different types
of bacteria—and there are
probably millions of others
waiting to be identified.
•
Of the millions of different
bacteria, scientists know of
only 100 that are harmful
to humans. These
“harmful” bacteria are not
trying to destroy humans.
They are just looking for a
nice place to live and
grow!
Here’s a Chuckle...
A: A bacteria.
•
Mrs.
Jones:
That’s
silly,
Doctor!
How do
you expect me to get
my germs to exercise?
•
Most of the bacteria that
live on and around us are
helpful. They fight off the
“bad” bacteria, eat up
waste we don’t need, and
help produce the air we
breathe. In fact, we
couldn’t live on this earth
without them!
•
Some bacteria only live in
certain parts of the world.
We all get used to the
germs that live in our own
area, but unfamiliar germs
are more dangerous to us.
This is why many people
get sick when they travel
to a foreign country—they
meet up with
germs that
their bodies
have never
had to deal
with before.
© 2001 In the Know, Inc.
PAGE 3
I N T H E K N OW
The History of Germs
•
•
•
•
•
In ancient times, people believed that disease was
caused by demons or sorcerers.
Germs Can Be
Dangerous!
• By the year 450, people came to believe that “bad
blood” caused disease.
• During the sixth century,
the bubonic plague killed
25% of the people in
Northern Africa and
Greece.
In the 1600’s, a man named Anton van Leeuwenhoek became the
first person to see bacteria through a homemade microscope. (He
picked his teeth and looked at this “crud” with his microscope!)
However, people didn’t make the connection between these tiny
microbes and disease for another 200 years.
In the 1800’s, two European scientists helped us understand that
germs cause infectious diseases. Louis Pasteur’s research led to a
vaccine for rabies and a method for pasteurizing milk. Robert Koch
identified the bacteria that causes anthrax. For his work, he won
the Nobel Prize in 1905.
Between the years 1880 and 1925, many deadly germs were
identified, including typhoid, tuberculosis, tetanus and scarlet
fever.
Doctors also discovered that germs and animals like to team up to
spread disease. Over the centuries, dangerous germs have
“ridden” on flies, mosquitoes, fleas and rats. Together, they have
caused serious diseases called “plagues”, wiping out huge
numbers of people in short periods of time.
• In 762, the same germ
killed over half of the
people living in one
Chinese province .
• In 1624, there were about
7500 colonists living in
Jamestown, Virginia—
until typhoid killed all but
1100 of them.
• In 1825, cholera killed
over two million people in
Russia.
• In 1918, right after World
War I, a flu germ killed
over 21 million people
around the world.
Infectious or Contagious...What’s the Difference?
Infectious diseases can be spread by infected people, animals, food, water or objects.
Contagious diseases can only be spread between people. (For example, rabies is an
“infectious” disease but it is not “contagious”. This means you can’t get rabies from a person
who has the disease—only from the bite of an infected animal.)
Nosocomial infections are infectious diseases—many of which are contagious. Nosocomial
infections are almost always caused by drug-resistant bacteria. The most common include
urinary tract infections, pulmonary infections, surgical wound infections and an infection of
the blood called “sepsis”. Nosocomial infections kill more Americans every year than all
the soldiers who died in the Vietnam war!
© 2001 In the Know, Inc.
PAGE 4
I N T H E K N OW
The History of Antibiotics
In ancient times, people used mixtures of herbs to treat infections.
Some of them were actually pretty effective.
•
In 1928, Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin...almost
by accident. He was “growing” some staph bacteria in his
laboratory when he noticed that one section of the
bacteria seemed to be covered by mold. And those
“moldy” bacteria were dying! After some more research,
Fleming found a way to use this mold to treat infections
in humans. (So, remember, penicillin is a mold...just like
the mold that grows on old bread!)
•
By the 1950’s, penicillin was considered a “miracle drug”. However,
doctors realized that penicillin only killed certain bacteria. (For
example, it was powerless against tuberculosis.) So, researchers
worked to discover other antibiotics, such as sulfa drugs,
cephalosporin and streptomycin. Each new antibiotic was able to
kill different kinds of bacteria.
•
Doctors began to prescribe antibiotics frequently for their
patients—even if their illnesses weren’t caused by bacteria. For
example, colds are caused by viruses—not by bacteria—so an
antibiotic won’t make a cold go away. But, let’s say Mr. Jones had a
bad cold, and his doctor worried that the cold might turn into
pneumonia. Just in case, the doctor prescribed an antibiotic for Mr.
Jones. (Today, most doctors realize that it’s better to wait until their
patients actually need an antibiotic.)
•
The use of antibiotics has risen dramatically over the years. For
example, hospitals across the United States used:
• $94 million worth of antibiotics in 1962.
• $218 million worth of antibiotics in 1971.
• $3 billion worth of antibiotics in 1991.
• Over $8 billion worth of antibiotics in 1997.
•
At least 15% of all the prescriptions written by American doctors are
for antibiotics.
•
There are now over 150 different antibiotics—and some bacteria
are resistant to all of them! Developing new antibiotics buys us a
little time, but it doesn’t solve the problem of drug resistance. Keep
reading to find out why.
Laugh...
Q: Which country has
the most germs?
A: Germany.
•
...and Learn!
Remember...most
antibiotics don’t work
very well unless a
person’s immune
system is
strong
enough to
mount an
attack
against the harmful
germ. Certain
conditions—such as
AIDS—weaken the
immune system. So,
people with AIDS have
a hard time recovering
from infections—even
when they take
antibiotics.
Antibiotics kill bacteria
by stopping them from
using energy or by
preventing them from
building cell walls.
Scientists aren’t giving
up...they continue to
do research that will
help them develop
new and different
antibiotics.
© 2001 In the Know, Inc.
PAGE 5
I N T H E K N OW
How Do “Bugs” Become Drug-Resistant?
•
Have you ever heard the expressions “survival of the
fittest” or “the strong will survive”? Well, both statements
are true about bacteria. Bacteria know how to survive—
even when they are attacked by strong antibiotics.
•
Remember...antibiotics kill enough bacteria to control a
person’s infection. And, it’s the weak germs that get wiped out first.
Because no antibiotic can destroy every harmful germ in someone’s
body, there are always some bacteria left. (This is especially true if
the person stops taking the antibiotic before the prescription is
finished.) And, it’s the strongest germs that survive!
•
There are a number of ways that the “leftover” bacteria can become
resistant to an antibiotic:
• They learn how to produce an enzyme that stops the drug
from working.
• The bacteria “mutate”, changing their outside structure. This
allows them to hide from the antibiotic—since the antibiotic
doesn’t recognize them anymore.
• By changing on the inside, the bacteria find a new way to
produce their harmful toxins.
•
Unfortunately, that’s not the end of the story.
Bacteria that have become drug-resistant can share
this information with other bacteria—teaching them
how to fight the drugs, too. This means that germs
can learn how to fight an antibiotic before they are
exposed to it!
•
But, wait...there’s more. Bacteria can figure out how to fight several
different antibiotics after being exposed to only one. This means
that a germ can become resistant to every antibiotic we have—by
being exposed to only a few!
•
This process can be a quick one. For example, it only took three
years for the first bacteria to become resistant to penicillin.
•
Taking an antibiotic when it’s not really necessary makes
the problem worse because the drug kills lots of friendly
bacteria instead of harmful germs. Without these friendly
bacteria, a person’s body is at risk of being “taken over” by
bad bacteria.
Laugh...
In biology class, the
teacher was explaining
that germs always work
in large groups. The
class clown piped up,
"Well, that would
explain then why no
one ever gets just one
measle!”
...and Learn!
The following factors
have contributed to
the development of
drug-resistant
bacteria:
• Using too many
antibiotics.
• Using antibiotics
the wrong way—
such as not
finishing a
prescription.
• Giving antibiotics
to livestock and
poultry.
Did you know that you
can buy antibacterial
soap, lotion, laundry
detergent...even kitty
litter! Many scientists
say that this “fad” of
making products
antibacterial should
stop because it is
making drugresistance worse.
© 2001 In the Know, Inc.
I N T H E K N OW
PAGE 6
Super Bug #1: MRSA
MRSA stands for Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus.
• Staphylococcus Aureus—or “staph”, for short—is commonly
found on the skin of healthy people. It is usually a harmless
“passenger”, but when it turns toxic, it causes minor illnesses
(like pimples and boils) or serious illnesses (like pneumonia
and toxic shock syndrome).
• Methicillin is an antibiotic, in the same family as penicillin. It
has been used for years to treat staph infections, and is still
successful in some cases. However, bacteria known as MRSA
are staph germs that have learned how to fight back against
methicillin. They are drug-resistant!
•
Staph germs were the first bacteria to become resistant to
penicillin.
•
Elderly and/or very sick people are most at risk for MRSA. If they
have an open wound (such as a bedsore) or a tube going into the
body (like a Foley catheter), their risk is even higher.
•
MRSA germs can be found on the skin, in the nose, and in blood or
urine. The bacteria are spread between people through physical
contact—usually from a health care worker’s hands! MRSA bacteria
do not travel through the air.
•
If you are working with a client who has MRSA, that person might
be kept isolated from other people so that the germ doesn’t spread.
And, in addition to following standard infection control
precautions, you’ll have to follow contact precautions, too. If you are
unsure of these procedures, check with your supervisor.
•
Your client’s doctor may prescribe a special ointment that can
remove MRSA from the nose or from a small wound. This ointment
is considered a medication and is usually not applied by nursing
assistants.
Laugh...
Q: How do bacteria
reproduce?
A: They multiply by
dividing!
•
...and Learn!
Drug-resistant bacteria
are not just
found in
hospitals!
Clients in other
settings—
including
nursing
homes, rest
homes, assisted living
facilities and even those
cared for at home—are
at risk for these
dangerous infections.
The most common
drug-resistant bacteria
found outside the
hospital are MRSA and
VRE. Strep infections
that are resistant to
penicillin and foodborne infections are
also common.
Three Things to Remember About MRSA:
1. Half of all people carry staph around on their bodies—without getting sick from it. But, if you
have staph on your skin and the bacteria “jump” onto your clients, they might get very sick.
2. Clients who are infected with MRSA usually need to be in a room of their own.
3. When working with a client who has MRSA, you should wash your hands and put on gloves
before entering the client’s room.
© 2001 In the Know, Inc.
I N T H E K N OW
PAGE 7
Super Bug #2: VRE
•
VRE stands for Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci.
•
Enterococci are bacteria that normally live in people’s
bowels. They can also live on the skin and in the
environment for days—or even weeks.
•
Vancomycin is an antibiotic that was discovered in 1956, but was
rarely used. Why? Doctors believed it was the final defender
against certain bacteria. They wanted to save it for special cases
when no other antibiotic would do. (Vancomycin is rather toxic
itself, with a number of serious—and unpleasant—side effects. So
doctors usually give it to seriously ill people only.) But, now,
enterococci bacteria have become resistant to the strongest drug
we have!
•
VRE was first reported in the United States in 1987. By 1991, 38
American hospitals had experienced problems with the VRE germ.
Now, for every five people that become infected with enterococci
bacteria, one of them will VRE—the drug-resistant kind.
•
The people who are most at risk for VRE include:
•
Intensive care patients.
•
People who have recently taken several other antibiotics.
•
People who are recovering from abdominal surgery.
•
VRE is spread by unwashed hands or from gloves that are dirty from
touching a client or a contaminated environment.
•
You may be asked to use a special antibacterial soap when bathing
your clients to reduce the number of VRE on their skin. If so, follow
the directions for using the soap carefully.
Learn...
Unfortunately, it looks
like staph “bugs” are
learning from their
enterococci buddies.
The CDC warned
hospitals in January,
2000 of a dangerous
new problem. They
reported that a 63 year
old woman had died
from a staph
infection that
couldn’t be
stopped with
vancomycin.
Over the past 20 years,
there has been a 36%
increase in the number
of nosocomial
infections. Scientists
believe that if we hadn’t
started infection control
programs in our health
care facilities, three out
of four
patients
would catch
an infection
while in the
hospital.
Three Things to Remember About VRE:
1. Healthy people are not at risk for getting VRE, but they can carry it to others.
2. Be sure to wear gloves when dealing with a client’s body excretions. Wash your hands before
and after wearing the gloves.
3. VRE have not been shown to travel through the air. So, wearing a mask when working with a
client who has VRE is not necessary.
© 2001 In the Know, Inc.
I N T H E K N OW
PAGE 8
Super Bug #3: Multi-Drug Resistant TB
•
Tuberculosis is a bacteria that usually infects a
person’s lungs. People can be infected with
tuberculosis bacteria and not get sick. It’s common
for healthy people to test “positive” on a TB test. Most
of these people will never come down with TB disease.
•
But, in 1937, tuberculosis was the number one cause of death in the
United States. If someone came down with TB back then, he had a
50% chance of dying.
•
That situation changed with the discovery of special antibiotics that
could destroy the TB germ. By the 1980’s, people with tuberculosis
had a 98% chance of being cured.
•
However, anti-tuberculosis drugs aren’t prescribed for just a week
or ten days. They need to be taken every day for six months!
Because so many people with TB stopped taking their medication
before the six months was up, we now face a real problem with
drug-resistant tuberculosis.
•
This dangerous strain of TB bacteria is common in
places where people are confined and overcrowded—
such as prisons.
•
Drug-resistant TB is also a big risk for people with HIV or AIDS. Since
they have weakened immune systems, their bodies aren’t able to
fight the TB germs.
•
Many doctors feel that the best way to control the spread of drugresistant TB is to watch people take their anti-TB medication. They
would like it to be the law—around the world—that all people with
TB have to be observed while they swallow their pills.
•
TB germs are spread through the air. People with active TB
may be kept in a room with a special air filter in it.
Learn...
The microbes that
cause tuberculosis will
never stop evolving. If
doctors come up with a
new drug, the TB
bacteria will
eventually
learn how to
resist it, too.
There are other bacteria
that are becoming
“superbugs”, including
the bacteria that cause:
• Gonorrhea
• Malaria
• Strep throat
• Pneumonia
(Remember
Jim Henson,
the creator of
Kermit the
Frog and the
other
Muppets? He died from
a strep infection that
was resistant to
antibiotics.)
Three Things to Remember About TB:
1. If you work with TB clients, you must be fitted for a special mask. And you must use the mask
properly—to protect yourself and your other clients.
2. If you are asked to watch your client swallow anti-TB pills, be sure you know what to watch
for and what to document.
3. Be sure to report if your client has symptoms of TB, including: fever, night sweats and a
hacking cough—which often produces mucus and/or blood.
© 2001 In the Know, Inc.
I N T H E K N OW
PAGE 9
Super Bugs #4 & 5: Salmonella & E Coli
• Back in the 1950’s, scientists discovered that if they gave antibiotics to
animals, they grew faster and bigger. (This also helped prevent
infections.) So, since then, the livestock and poultry animals that we
use for food have been fed antibiotics. (For example, the average
chicken lives for 45 days...and is given antibiotics for 42 of them.)
• Of course, the bacteria that live in and on animals have also learned to
resist antibiotics. These bacteria can be passed on to the people who
eat the meat or poultry.
• At the same time, the bacteria have learned how to survive inside a
refrigerator and even the high temperatures used in cooking!
• Two of the most harmful germs are called Salmonella and E. Coli.
Salmonella live in the ovaries of most chickens, so people are most at
risk when they eat raw or undercooked eggs. The E. Coli
germs live in the intestines of most animals (and humans).
It shows up most often in raw milk and undercooked beef.
Both germs can cause serious cases of food poisoning—
and may even be fatal.
• The problem is getting worse. In 1963, there were only 723 cases of
Salmonella poisoning in the United States. By 1986, there were nearly
19,000. Today, there are millions of cases every year. (And, 9,000
people die every year from infected food.)
• You may have heard that ground beef is a real problem. The reason is
that if there are bacteria on the outside of a steak, they are killed when
the steak is cooked. They don’t get inside the steak. But, if that same
steak is ground up, the germs from the outside get spread throughout
the meat. That’s why hamburgers need to be cooked until well done.
• It’s important to handle, store and cook food properly to avoid
problems with food poisoning. This includes washing raw fruits and
vegetables before eating, getting foods into the refrigerator quickly,
and cooking foods for the recommended time.
Laugh...
Have you heard about
the guy who is so afraid
of bacteria, that he
even cooks his ice cubes
before he
puts them
in his
drink?
...and Laugh Again!
Mike, age 4, was
playing with his friend,
Pete. Pete’s mother
invited Mike to stay for
dinner. She asked
both boys to wash
their hands before
sitting down to eat.
“Why?” asked Mike.
“Germs from our hands
can get on our food
while we are eating,"
Pete’s mother
explained.
"Oh, I don't need
to worry about
that at home, "
Mike told her.
"We use forks.”
Three Things to Remember About Salmonella & E. Coli:
1. To avoid food poisoning, always wash your hands before handling food...and after handling
raw meat.
2. Always clean any surface that has touched raw meat with soap and hot water.
3. Report any symptoms of food poisoning: nausea and cramps (usually within 12 to 48 hours
after eating the bad food), diarrhea, fever and vomiting.
© 2001 In the Know, Inc.
I N T H E K N OW
PAGE 10
Infection Control Tips
•
Remember that older people “catch” infections more easily than
younger people. (They tend to get sicker, too.) Encourage your
elderly clients to prevent infections by getting vaccines for flu and
pneumonia.
•
Help your clients keep strong immune systems by encouraging
them to eat nutritious foods. The following foods provide the
immune system with important vitamins:
• Carrots and other yellow-orange vegetables. (Vitamin A)
• Leafy greens. (Folate)
• Kidney beans, bananas, meat and whole
grain breads. (Vitamin B6)
• Citrus fruits and juices. (Vitamin C)
• Sunflower seeds and wheat germ.
(Vitamin E)
• Dark meat turkey, spinach. (Iron)
• Beef, seafood and pumpkin seeds. (Zinc)
•
Regular exercise and a positive attitude also help keep the immune
system strong. Encourage your clients to move their bodies and to
keep a smile on their faces!
•
If you cook meat for your clients, be sure to cook it until the juices
run clear—not pink!
•
If you use a knife to cut raw meat, don’t cut anything else with it
until you have washed the knife with soap and hot water.
•
If a client has diarrhea, be extra careful with washing your hands
before and after client care. Also, help the client wash his or her
hands after each bowel movement.
•
Remember eating raw cookie dough as a kid?
Don’t allow any client to eat raw cookie dough—
or any other product that contains raw eggs. They
could become very sick.
•
Help your clients wash their hands before every meal.
•
If you have questions about whether a particular food is safe for
your clients to eat, discuss the issue with your supervisor.
Laugh...
To prevent
the plague:
• Keep the
streets
clear of
garbage.
• Keep your body
clean.
• Avoid overeating,
drunkenness and
too much sex.
• Suck on
pomegranates or
sour plums. Eat
pickled onions for
breakfast.
• Cover your
windows—unless
they face north.
• Drink the following
mixture: chopped
snakes, wine,
powdered emeralds
and gold dust.
(Tips from the year 1345!)
...and Learn!
Vaccines work by
forcing the body to
develop an “army” of
cells that are “trained”
to fight off a certain
disease.
© 2001 In the Know, Inc.
I N T H E K N OW
PAGE 11
More Infection Control Tips
•
If your clients are taking antibiotics, encourage them to take them
properly. This includes:
• Taking each dose on time. (Some antibiotics are
given only once a day, but most are two, three or
even four times a day. Help your clients
remember to take each dose.)
• Following instructions for taking the medication.
(Some antibiotics work best on an empty stomach and some need
to be taken with food or milk.)
• Finishing the medication as prescribed—even after they start
feeling better.
• Not sharing antibiotics with others or taking someone else’s
leftover pills.
•
For your female clients who are taking an antibiotic, watch for signs of
a vaginal yeast infection such as vaginal itching and a white, smelly
discharge. (Because friendly bacteria are also killed when people take
antibiotics, there aren’t enough left to fight off yeast. So, the yeast are
able to “take over” the vaginal area, causing an infection.) Report the
problem right away.
•
When working with clients who have MRSA or VRE, follow these tips:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Make sure the toilet and bathroom stay very clean, using a
household disinfectant.
Help the client to bathe regularly. Dry their skin well.
The client’s dishes do not have to be separated from other
people’s. They may be washed in hot water and
regular dishwashing liquid—or in a dishwasher.
The client’s linens and clothes do not have to be
separated either—unless they are very soiled with
feces.
Cleansers such as Lysol, Pine-Sol and Mr. Clean all kill MRSA and
VRE germs. But, be sure to let the disinfectant air dry!
Disinfect all shared equipment such as stethoscopes, blood
pressure cuffs and thermometers.
To reduce your risk of becoming a carrier of MRSA or VRE, follow
proper infection control procedures at all times!!
Learn...
In 1941,
someone with
pneumonia
could be cured
by taking
10,000 units of
penicillin. Today, even
24 million units may not
save the person’s life!
Some scientists are
studying herbs and
spices to see if they
could be used as a
“natural” antibiotic.
Here’s what they found
out during one study
done at Cornell
University:
• Garlic, onions,
allspice and oregano
are able to kill nearly
all kinds of bacteria.
• Cinnamon, cumin,
cloves and mustard
can kill up to 90% of
bacteria.
• Caraway, mint, sage
and nutmeg destroy
up to 70% of bacteria.
• Pepper, ginger and
celery seed can kill up
to 48% of bacteria.
So, someday, our “new”
antibiotics may be
made from plants—just
like in
ancient
times!
© 2001 In the Know, Inc.
I N T H E K N OW
PAGE 12
Even More Infection Control Tips
•
Keeping your clients’ skin clean, dry and intact will go a long way
toward preventing infections. (The skin is the body’s first line of
defense against germs.)
•
Remember that some favorite areas for bacteria are places that are
warm and moist—like the face, neck, armpits and genital area. Make
sure your clients wash these areas with soap and water...and dry them
carefully before getting dressed.
•
The key to washing your hands is not the kind of soap or the
temperature of the water. It’s the energy you put into scrubbing your
hands. Friction gets rid of bacteria, not soap.
•
To really clean your hands, you need to scrub them for at least 30
seconds. Studies have shown that most health care workers only wash
their hands for 10 seconds! Take your time and do it right.
•
Studies have found that up to 75% of health care workers don’t wash
their hands between patients. Don’t be one of them!! Wash your
hands according to your workplace policy.
•
Teach your clients to ask you if you have washed your hands. (They
should also ask everyone else who works with them.) And, then, when
they do ask you, don’t get defensive. Just be grateful for the reminder!
•
Remember that gloves primarily protect you—not the client.
If you have dirty hands when you pick up a pair of gloves,
you’ll contaminate them—and your client. It’s important to
wash your hands before you put on gloves!
•
Follow your workplace policy for cleaning any equipment you use for
more than one client—like a stethoscope. Infection control officials
recommend swabbing stethoscopes with alcohol after each use to
prevent spreading germs. (Keep this in mind...one study of 200
stethoscopes used in four different hospitals found that 160 of them were
contaminated with harmful bacteria!)
Learn...
Did you know that
in the early 1800’s,
many surgeons
wore their regular
clothes while they
operated? Others
wore long coats
that they didn’t bother
to wash in between
operations. In fact,
surgeons with a lot of
blood stains on their
coats were proud—
since it showed they had
lots of surgical
experience!
The first bar of
soap was made
in 600 B.C. by
boiling goat fat in water
and adding ash.
In the Middle Ages,
people didn’t take many
baths. Most people
thought that bathing
once a year was enough.
Others believed that
bathing was
dangerous...and
could even be
fatal!
Remember…
The single most important thing you can do to help control the
spread of drug-resistant bacteria is to wash your hands!
For your own safety, follow your workplace procedure for handwashing.
The safety of your clients, your coworkers and your family depends on it, too!
© 2001 In the Know, Inc.
Are You “In the Know” About Drug Resistant Bacteria?
Circle the best choice and then check your answers with your supervisor!
1. Bacteria are:
A. Molds and mildews.
B. Tiny one-celled creatures.
C. Rare in the United States.
D. Always harmful to the human body.
2. True or False
Antibiotics are powerful drugs that help wipe out viruses.
3. MRSA is:
A. Only a problem in hospitals.
B. Rare among elderly people.
C. A drug-resistant strep germ.
D. A risk for people with open wounds.
4. True or False
If a disease is contagious, it means that you can catch it from another person.
5. Bacteria have become drug-resistant because:
A. Most antibiotics are contaminated.
B. People in modern times bathe too often.
C. People eat too much beef.
D. Antibiotics have been used too often.
6. VRE is:
A. A drug-resistant intestinal germ.
B. An infection that healthy people get.
C. Spread through the air.
D. Spread in contaminated food.
7. True or False
People with tuberculosis shouldn’t take antibiotics.
8. True or False
Salmonella and E. Coli are bacteria that can cause food poisoning.
9. True or False
It’s safer to eat a rare hamburger than it is to eat a rare steak.
10. True or False
Washing your hands for 10 seconds is okay if you use antibacterial soap.
EMPLOYEE NAME________________________________________
DATE______________________
I understand the information presented in this inservice. I have completed
this inservice and answered at least eight of the test questions correctly.
Employee Signature____________________________________________
Inservice Credit: 60 minutes
Supervisor Signature____________________________________________
Self Study
File competed test in employee’s personnel file.
Group Study
_____
_____