Infection prevention and control in the healthcare setting

8/19/2019 Infection prevention and control in the healthcare setting

1/4

Infection control is a fundamental aspect of a nurse's role, as well as the

responsibility of everyone who works within healthcare systems.

Infection control and the prevention of all infection remains a major goal

within all healthcare settings, and lies with all healthcare professionals and

personnel's responsibility to ensure this is achieved.

The infection prevention and control team provides advice about the

prevention and management of infection including outbreaks of diarrhoea

and vomiting, as well as promoting education and awareness to patient's and

carers.

nfection prevention and control in

the healthcare setting

Eective infection prevention and control is central to providing high uality

health care for patientsand a safe working environment for those that work in

healthcare settings.

There are around !"",""" healthcare#associated infections $%&Is in acute

healthcare facilities each year. This makes %&Is the most common

complication aecting patients in hospital.

(nderstanding the modes of transmission of infectious organisms and

knowing how and when to apply the basic principles of infection prevention

and control is critical to the success of an infection control program. This

responsibility applies to everybody working and visiting a healthcare facility,

including administrators, sta, patients and carers.

) %ealthcare#associated infections $%&Is can occur in any healthcare setting.*hile the speci+c risks may dier, the basic principles of infection preventionand control apply regardless of the setting.) In order to prevent %&Is, it is important to understand how infections occurin healthcare settings and then institute ways to prevent them. iskmanagement is integral to this approach.) Infection prevention and control is integral to clinical care and the way inwhich it is provided. It is not an additional set of practices.

isks of contracting a healthcare#associated-ostly the infections are due to the pathogens$infectious microbialagentsthat causes disesase or illness to the host.Transmission of infectiousagents within a healthcare setting reuires the following elements

) a source or reservoir of infectious agents) a mode of transmission) a susceptible host

SOURCE OF INFECTION /0I of %&I may bea. e1ogenous most important and occurs motly from 2another patient

,member of the medical and paramedical sta harboring thepathogens or, from the environment $medical euipments,bed pansand surfaces contaminated by patients secretions e1cretions and body


2/4

3uids.b. endogenous . it is due to the microbes present in the patients own

3ora in the body.microorganism from these 3oras may cause infectionsin dierent tissues of the patients during certain surgicaloperations,manipulations by instruments or nursing procedures.

MODE OF TRANSMISSION : -any organisms gain entry to the bodythrough breaches or evasion of 4+rst line4 body defense.5reaches inepithelial integrity $e.g.,surgical wounds,I6 cannulas e.t.c, loss of washingaction of body 3uids $e.g., because of urinary catheters and interferencewith +rst line respiratory defenses$e.g.,by anesthesia and endotrachealintubation are common precursors of %&Is.Infection can be transmitted by following ways 2i. &ir#borne transmission by air#borne droplets,dust particles,and

aerosols. Inhalation of air droplets nuclei transmits -ycobacterium Tuberculosis and many other respiratory pathogens such as ubellavirus ,6aricella virus. /taphylococcus &ureus ,7seudomonas &eruginosaare rich sources of many pathogens originated from bleeding,hospital

3oors,dressings etc,ii. 8irect contact it is the principal route of transmission of %&Is. 8irect

contact with hands and clothings of medical personnel harboringmicroorganism may be responsible for /.aureus and /t.pyogenesinfections. p.aeruginosa can be transmitted via instruments likecytoscopes,bronchoscopes if not prpoerly disinfected.

iii. 0ral route certain 9IT pathogens may be transmitted by hospitalfoods served to hospitali:ed patients.The food may be the source ofantibiotic resistant 7.aeruginosa,E.coli and others which may coloni:ethe intestine and later cause infection in susceptible patients.

iv. 7arenteral route 5lood borne pathogens such as %epatitis 5 and ;,%I6 may be transmitted by transfusion of blood and blood products,viacontaminated needles or sharp instruments that are not sterili:edproperly.

7redisposing factors for %&Is includes 2 age, chronic medicalconditions,presence of indwelling catheters,incontinenceclosecommuna2l living and so on.

STANDARD AND TRANSMISSION- BASEDPRECAUTIONS/ucessful infection prevention anc control involves implementing workpractices that prevent the transmissions of infectious agents throughthe two#tiered approach including

Standard precaution &re implrmented by the health care workersin order to prevent or reduce the risk of transmission of infection or toset the area free of infectious agents.Implementing the standardprecaution strategies such as hand hygiene,personal protectiveeuipment ,cleaning and appropriate handeling and disposals of sharpsminimises the risk of transmission of infectious agents from person topersons.

%0* /T&


3/4

) use of personal protective euipments which includesgloves,apron,masks,gowns.

) appropriate handeling and disposals of sharps.) environmental controls including cleaning and spill managements.) practising respiratory hygiene and cough etiuette.) aseptic non touch techniue

) appropriate reprocessing of reusable euipments.) appropriate handeling of waste and linens.

Tran!iion "aed precaution : Transmission#based precautions arerecommendedas e1tra work practices in situations where standard precautions alone maybe insu?cient to prevent transmission. /T&TE9IE/ @0 I-7=E-E


4/4

#

handwashing is one of the most critical means of preventing persons#to#person transmission of infection.

#

materials used for administering I6 infusions should be checked.# all linen when removed from the pint of use should be placed in bags

for ttransport to the sorting area.#

water reservoirs of all types,for e1ample those an o1ygen

euipment,are prone to become contaminated ,hence must be cleaneddaily.

PRO%RAMMES :# monitor emergence of drugs resistance#

recommend suitable sterili:ation and disinfection procedures#

formulate antibiotic policy of the hospital# maintain the data on the incidence and type of infection and antibiotics

susceptible patterns of the common prevalent pathogens.

7ublished by #/udip adhikari

Documents

Infection prevention and control in the healthcare setting