Personal Hygiene

Asepsis- freedom from disease- causing microorganisms

Two (2) basic types of Asepsis:

1. Medical Asepsis
• Practices intended to confine a specific
microorganism to a specific area
• Limits the number, growth and transmission of
microorganism.
• Objects referred to as clean or dirty (soiled or
contaminated.

2. Surgical Asepsis-
• “Sterile technique”
• Practices that keep an area or object free from
all microorganisms and spores
• Used for all procedures involving sterile areas of
the body
 Nosocomial Infection
- Infections that are associated with the delivery of
health care services in health care facility
- Hospital personnel’s and clients are at risks to
develop infection.

Risks for Nosocomial Infections;

1. Diagnostic or Therapeutic procedure
Eg. Iatrogenic Infections
2. Compromised Host
3. Insufficient hand hygiene
Factors influencing a microorganism’s capability to
produce an infectious process:

1. Number of microorganism present

2. Virulence and potency of microorganisms
(pathogenicity )
3. Ability to enter the body
4. Susceptibility of the host
5. Ability to live in the host body
THE CHAIN OF
INFECTION
SIX LINKS
Factors Increasing Susceptibility to Infection:
1. Age
2. Heredity
3. Level of Stress
4. Nutritional status
5. Current medical Therapy
6. Pre-existing disease process

Interventions to reduce risks for Infection:

1. Proper hand hygiene techniques
2. Environmental Controls
3. Sterile technique when needed
4. Identification and management of clients @ risks