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Infection Control and Disease
Prevention
Infection Control

Microorganism – a small living organism that
is not visible to the naked eye; found
everywhere in the environment

Normal flora - plant life adapted for living in
a specific environment; important for
maintaining certain body processes; nonpathogenic

Pathogen - disease or infection causing
microorganism
Types of Microorganisms
 Bacteria
• Simple, one-celled organisms that multiply
rapidly
• Examples of disease caused by bacteria
include gonorrhea, meningitis, strep throat,
botulism
• Antibiotics are used to kill bacteria
Types of Microorganisms
 Protozoa
•
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One-celled animal-like organisms often
found in decayed materials and
contaminated water
Cause diseases such as malaria, amebic
dysentery, trichomonas
Types of Microorganisms
 Fungi
•
•
•
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Simple, plant-like organisms that live on
dead organic matter
Yeasts and molds are two common forms
that can be pathogenic
Cause diseases such as ring worm, athlete’s
foot, yeast vaginitis, and thrush
Treated with antifungals
Types of Microorganisms

Virus
Smallest microorganism, visible only with an
electron microscope
• Cannot reproduce unless inside another living cell
• More difficult to kill because resistant to many
disinfectants and are not affected by antibiotics.
• Cause diseases such as common cold, herpes,
chicken pox, AIDS, Hepatitis
•
Terms

Nosocomial infection - acquired by an individual in
a health care facility

Opportunistic infection - those that occur when the
body’s defenses are weak (Pneumocystis carinii)

Disinfection – to cleanse (wounds, rooms, clothing,
etc..) of infection

Sterilization - The act or procedure of sterilizing
Chain of Infection
Causative agent (or pathogen) - virus,
bacteria, etc.
 Reservoir - A place where the pathogen can
live (human body, the environment,
fomites)
 Portal of exit - A way for the pathogen to
escape the reservoir in which it has been
growing (body secretions)

Chain of Infection Cont.

Mode of transmission - the way in which the
pathogen is transmitted to another reservoir or
host where it can live (direct person-to-person
contact or direct contact with body secretions)

Portal of entry - the manner in which the
pathogen enters a new reservoir or host (break
in the skin, respiratory or digestive tract,
circulatory system)

Susceptible host - a person likely to get an
infection or disease
How do we break the chain of
infection????????
Standard Precautions

Equipment and methods that prevent
the transmission of microorganisms
from one person to another.

Prior to the diagnosis of AIDS, personal
protective equipment was used only in identified
infectious processes.

Became universal with further study of AIDS as
a disease.
Standard Precautions
 Applies to all patients at all times because
not all diseases are readily observable.
 Gloves should be worn ANYTIME there is
ANY possibility of coming into contact with
a patients’ body fluids.
• It is NEVER wrong to put on gloves!!!!!
Standard Precautions

The HCP should choose what barriers to
wear when caring for a patient based on:
– the activity performed (vital signs)
– the patients illness, and
– the amount of exposure to blood and body
fluids
 Ex: gown and goggles if patient is coughing,
bleeding, or has drainage from wounds or body
orifices.
Standard Precautions

All sharps (needles, razors, etc.) should be
disposed of immediately in biohazardous
puncture proof sharps containers located
in each room.
– Red, plastic container

All unknown spills or waste should be
treated as potentially hazardous.
Types of Isolation
Airborne Precautions - used for patients
known (or suspected) to be infected with
pathogens transmitted by small particles of
evaporated droplets that contain
microorganisms.
 Diseases: rubella, tuberculosis, and shingles.

Types of Isolation Cont.


Droplet Precautions - must be followed for a
patient known (or suspected) to be infected
with pathogens transmitted by large particle
droplets expelled during coughing, sneezing,
talking, or laughing.
Diseases: flu, Neisseria meningitis,
pertussis, some types of pneumonia,
and diphtheria.
Types of Isolation Cont.
Contact Precautions - must be followed for
any patients known or suspected to be infected
with microorganisms that can be transmitted by
either direct or indirect contact.
 Diseases: GI, respiratory, or skin infection
caused by a multi-drug resistant organism
(MRSA), incontinent patients infected with E.
coli, patients with lice or scabies, and patients
with a staph infection.
 Isolation precautions include the
use of gloves, gowns, and disposable
equipment.

Types of Isolation Cont.
Protective or Reverse Isolation - refers to
methods used to protect certain patients from
organisms present in the environment. Protective
isolation is used mainly for immunocompromised
patients, or those whose body defenses are not
capable of protecting them from infections.
 Examples: organ transplant patients, burn patients,
patients receiving chemotherapy, and patients
whose immune systems have failed (e.g. AIDS).
 Precautions include frequent disinfecting of the
patient’s room and the use of gloves, gowns, and
masks.

Body’s Defense Mechanisms
Mucous membranes
 Cilia
 Coughing and sneezing
 Stomach acid
 Tears
 White blood cells
 Fever
 Inflammation

Inflammatory Response

The Inflammatory Response is a defensive
action which takes into account fluids,
hormones, and cells.

Some symptoms relating to this response are
redness, heat, swelling, and pain.

Other signs of infection include foul smell from
drainage, fever, fatigue, rash, nausea, vomiting
or loss of appetite.
Personal Protective Equipment
Gloves
 Masks
 Gowns

Standard Precautions
Standard
precautions
 Transmissionbased precautions

– Blood and body
fluids
– Personal protective
equipment
Medical Asepsis

Hand washing
Removing Contaminated
Gloves