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CHAPTER 16

Infection Prevention and Control: Protective Mechanisms and Asepsis

Pg. 209-233

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Microorganisms

• Pathogens – capable of causing disease

• Non-pathogens (normal flora) – beneficial and/or essential for human health and well-being

Chain of Infection

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You are working as a nurse on a medical-surgical unit. What roles might you play in the chain of infection?

Table 16-5 pg. 216

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First Line of Defense Against Infection• Intact skin• Respiratory Tree• Eyes• Mouth• GI Tract• GU tract• Cilia in respiratory tract, nose

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Second Line of Defense Against Infection• Fever

• Leukocytosis

• Phagocytosis (specialized WBCs)

• Inflammatory response

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Third Line of Defense Against Infection• Immune response

– Recognize as foreign invader and destroy pathogens that the body has been exposed to

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Consider your current lifestyle. How would you evaluate your ability to support your

body’s defenses?

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Medical Asepsis

• Asepsis–Objects and environment free of

microorganisms

• Medical Asepsis–Clean technique

• Surgical Asepsis –Sterile technique

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Hand Hygiene

• Most effective way to prevent the spread of microorganisms

• Box 16-2 pg. 220

• Skill 16-1 Hand Hygiene pg. 221

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CDC Guidelines to Prevent Infection

• Standard Precautions– Tier I– Includes hand hygiene and personal

protective equipment (PPE)– Box 16-3 pg. 224

• Transmission based Precautions– Tier II (discussed in Chapter 17)

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CDC Guidelines to Prevent Infection• Sharps disposal

• Contaminated waste

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Cleaning & Disinfecting

• Cleaning• Disinfecting• Antiseptic• Sterilization

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Sepsis in the Home

• What are ways to prevent infection in the home?

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Infection Control Surveillance

• Infectious Disease or Infection Prevention Nurse

• Clients at high risk for infection

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CHAPTER 17

Infection Prevention and Control in Hospital and HomePg. 234-257

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Stages of Infection (illness)

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Transmission Based Precautions (Box 17-1 pg. 236)

• Contact

• Droplet

• Airborne

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General Guidelines for Isolation Precautions

• Limit supplies taken into room• Limit client transport outside of room• Use disposable supplies if possible• Keep precaution supplies just outside the

client’s room• Removal of items from room

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Contact Precautions (Isolation)Box 17-3 pg. 141

• Direct contact can lead to spread of pathogen• Private room

• Personal protective equipment

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Airborne Precautions (Isolation)Box 17-3 pg. 141

• Also follow contact precautions • Negative pressure room

• Personal protective equipment

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Droplet Precautions (Isolation)Box 17-3 pg. 141

• Also follow contact precautions• Private room

• Personal protective equipment

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Drug-resistant Organisms

• Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)

• Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE)• Extended spectrum beta-lactamase-producing

(ESBL)• Clostridium difficile (C-diff)

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Infection Prevention in the Home

• Hand hygiene

• Proper disposal

• Cleaning home environment

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Psychological Aspect of Isolation Precautions on the Client

• Visitors• Learn about client’s interest• Listen to the client

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Surgical Asepsis

• Sterile environment

• Sterile equipment

• Sterile technique

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What actions help prevent infection in the healthcare setting?

What actions help prevent infection in the home?

What actions help to prevent infection when patients are outside of the home?