Measures to control

infection
Infection
 The invasion and multiplication of
microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses,
and parasites that is not normally present
within the body.

 Infection is the invasion of the body by

pathogenic organisms.

 It occurs as a cyclic psrocess.

THE INFECTIOUS PROCESS
Reservoir
 A reservoir is the place in the environment
where infectious agents live, multiply, and
reproduce so they can be transmitted to a
susceptible host.

 A reservoir can be animate, such as people,

insects, animals, and plants, or inanimate,
such as water, soil, or medical devices.
Causative Agents
 Microorganisms that cause infection include
bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, helminths
etc.
Mode of Transmission
 Once the causative agent exits the reservoir,
a means of transfer to a susceptible host is
needed.

 Transmission methods for microorganisms

include direct contact, indirect contact, and
through the air.
Mode of Transmission…
 Direct Contact
◦ Direct transmission occurs through:
 Touching, biting, kissing, sexual contact,
 Droplet spray into the eyes or mucous
membranes while sneezing, coughing, spitting,
singing, or talking. Droplet spread is usually
limited to 3 feet or less.

◦ Example of Illnesses
 influenza, impetigo, scabies, conjunctivitis,
pediculosis, herpes, and all sexually transmitted
diseases.
Mode of Transmission…
Indirect Contact
 Indirect transmission is either vehicle-borne

or vectorborne.

 Vehicle-borne transmission
◦ The spread of an infectious organism by
contact with a contaminated object, such
as a toy, soiled bedding, dressings from a
wound, surgical instruments, water, food,
and biologic products such as
blood,serum, plasma, tissues, and organs.
Mode of Transmission…

Example of Vehicle-borne illnesses:

◦ conjunctivitis, HIV, and hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E.

 Vehicle transmission can be avoided

through:
◦ Proper hand washing, excellent cleaning of the
patient environment, and provision of clean water
and food supplies.
Mode of Transmission…
 Vector-borne transmission is the spread of
infectious organisms through a living source
other than humans, such as:
◦ an insect, flea, mouse, or rat.

 Diseases spread through vectors include

malaria, plague, etc.

 Vector transmission can be reduced with

◦ insect repellants, avoidance of infested areas, and
rodent control.
Mode of Transmission…

Airborne
 Airborne transmission is different from droplet transmission

because the particles floating in the air are much smaller,

remain suspended in the air for a long time, and may travel
large distances.

 Airborne organisms can be inhaled or deposited on the

mucus membrane of a susceptible host.

 Measles, chickenpox, and tuberculosis are transmitted by

airborne transmission.

 Airborne transmission is prevented with the use of high-

efficiency particulate air (HEPA) respirators (also known as a
tuberculosis [TB] mask).
HEPA respirators
Multiple Modes of Transmission
 Many diseases have multiple modes of
transmission requiring a variety of
protective techniques.

 For example, chickenpox is transmitted by:

◦ direct contact, indirect contact, and airborne
transmission.
Portal of Entry
 To produce disease, organisms must gain
entry into a susceptible host.

 Routes of entry into a susceptible host

include the respiratory tract, skin (usually non
intact), mucous membranes, gastrointestinal
tract, genitourinary tract, and placenta.
Susceptible Host (Vulnerable, at risk)
 Factors that increase susceptibility to
infection are
◦ very young age, old age, malnourishment,
immunocompromise, chronic disease, stress, and
invasive procedures.
Portal of Exit

 The portal of exit is the route by which the

infectious agent leaves the host, who has
become a reservoir for infection:

◦ respiratory tract, skin, mucous membranes,

gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary tract, blood,
open lesions, or placenta.
Asepsis
 It is the process by which the environment
of the patient is protected from contact with
infective organisms

 Medical Asepsis

 Surgical Asepsis
Medical Asepsis
 Medical asepsis is commonly referred to as
clean technique. The goal is to reduce the
number of pathogens or prevent the
transmission of pathogens from one person to
another.

 Frequent, proper hand washing is one of the

best ways to achieve this goal.

 Gowns, gloves, masks, and protective eyewear

or rooms with special ventilation may also be
helpful
Guidelines to Prevent Spread
of Infection to the Patient, Self,
and Family:
 As part of medical asepsis you should keep
your own body and clothing clean to prevent
spread of infection to patients, yourself, and
your family
Guidelines…
 Bathe daily and wear a clean uniform/clothing
every day.

 Keep your fingernails short. Multiple studies

have demonstrated that long fingernails
harbor bacteria and have caused infections
for patients that sometimes have resulted in
death.

 Avoid wearing rings and bracelets that harbor

organisms.
Guidelines…
 Cleanse your stethoscope at least daily and in
between patient use with alcohol.

 Wash your hands between each patient contact.

Hand washing is recognized as the single most
important action to take to prevent spread of
infection.

 Remove your uniform and bathe/shower when you

come home from work.

 Keep your nursing shoes clean and put away from

the rest of the family
Surgical Asepsis
 Surgical asepsis (sterile technique) refers to
an item or area that is free of all
microorganisms and spores.

 Surgical asepsis is used in surgery and to

sterilize equipment.
Surgical Asepsis…
 Articles can be subjected to intense heat or
chemical disinfectants to destroy all organisms.
The use of pressurized steam sterilizers, called
autoclaves, kills even the most powerful
organisms.

 Some equipment cannot be exposed to moist

heat, so gas sterilizers are used instead. Once
these articles are sterilized, they are dated,
packaged, and sealed. Once a package is opened
or outdated, it is no longer considered sterile.
Standard Precautions
 “Standard precautions” are a set of basic
steps care providers use to protect their
patients and themselves from infection.

 Standard precautions require you to assume

that all patients are infectious regardless of
their diagnosis.
Standard Precautions…

 Standard precautions are meant to reduce

the risk of transmission of blood-borne and
other pathogens from both recognized and
unrecognized sources.

 They are the basic level of infection control

precautions which are to be used, as a
minimum, in the care of all patients.
Standard Precautions…
These basic steps include:
◦ Hand hygiene

◦ Wearing gloves

◦ Wearing a gown

◦ Using a face mask, face shield, and/or goggles if

splashing of blood or body fluids might occur.

◦ Cleaning of care equipment between patients.

Standard Precautions…
 Needlestick and Sharps Injury Prevention

 Cleaning and Disinfection

 Respiratory Hygiene (Cough Etiquette) 

 Waste Disposal 

 Safe Injection Practices

Hand Washing
Students’ Assignment
 Indications
 Precautions
 Types
 Demonstration
Thank
you