What are the most common/effective ways to prevent
transmission of infection?
-screening high-risk groups (children, babies, elderly,
immunocompromised, drug users, etc.)
-vaccinations (eradication of some disease)
-medical asepsis (clean technique)
-surgical asepsis (sterile technique)
-hand hygiene
-environment
When is it appropriate to wash your hands?
-before and after each patient encounter, in presence of patient
-after contact with bodily fluids or contaminated equipment
-after removing gloves
-after bathroom
-before and after eating
When is it appropriate to use sanitizing gel?
-in place of soap and water, unless hands are visibly soiled or
patient has C. diff
-rub until dry
-wipe down "nurse on a stick" with alcohol sani-wipes
What are the different types of infections?
-transmission based
-airborne
,-droplet
-contact
Transmission based infection precautions
use standard precautions (mandated by CDC; assume every
patient is infected so you can protect yourself and others)
standard precautions include...
-hand hygiene
-safe handling of contaminated equipment/surfaces
-use of PPE as appropriate: blood, body fluids, secretions,
mucous membranes, non-intact skin (gloves, masks, gowns,
goggles, hair and shoe covering, PAPR
Airborne infection precautions
-standard precautions + private room
-respirator or N95 mask
-negative airflow room
Droplet infection precautions
-standard precautions + private room
-surgical mask when w/in 3 ft. of patient
Contact infection precautions
-standard precautions + private room
-gowns and gloves worn if contact with patient or environment
-may require mask if organism is in sputum
Precautions for C-difficile
,-contact precautions + bleach cleaners
-soap and water hand hygiene only
COVID-19 precautions
airborne and contact precautions
Protective or reverse precautions
- neutropenic patient
- standard precautions + private room
- mask and gloves
- mask on patient if leaves room
patient transfer precautions
patient wears mask or PPE, then gets transferred
visitor precautions
can recommend them to wear masks and gloves, depending on
type of infection
history for assessing infections includes...
-risk factors
-possibility of existing infections (cough, fever; drainage,
urinary symptoms)
-recent travel history (outside of U.S.)
-medication history (certain meds can cause some patients to
become immunocompromised)
-stressors
infection risk factors to assess
, -open wounds
-current illnesses
-recent procedures
Chain of Infection
Agent-> Reservoir-> Portal of exit-> Mode of transmission->
Portal of entry-> Susceptible host
Subjective data/symptom
what the patient is feeling/tells you
Objective data/sign
-information obtained directly, through measurements, or by
using one of your five senses
-ex: temperature, pulse, respiratory rate, and blood pressure
Health history
-biographical/demographical data
-source
-reason for seeking care
-history of present illness (HPI)
-past health
-family history
review of systems
-head to toe approach
-subjective (usually a checklist; explain any "yes" answers)
biographical/demographical data
collected by business office/front desk staff