Infection Control
hypochlorite (household bleach 1:10 soultion), alcohol, iodophors, glutaraldehyde, and
formaldehyde
Droplet Precautions - reduce the risks for nosocomial transmission of pathogens spread wholly
or partly by droplets larger than 0.001 mm in size; pathogens are microbes that can cause
disease; are simpler than airborne precautions because the particles only remain in the air for a
short time and travel only a few feet; therefore, contact with the source must be close for a
susceptible host to become infected
Handwashing - the most important means of preventing the spread of infection; a routine
procedure uses plain soap to remove soil and transient bacteria; hand antisepsis requires the
use of antimicrobial soap to remove, iill or inhibit transient microorganisms; the proper amount
of time to wash one's hands is 1 to 2 minutes
Infection - a condition in which the body is invaded by a pathogen
Medical Asepsis - the practice of removing or destroying pathogens and to prevent pathogens
from spreading from one person or place to another
Microorganism - are tiny living plants or animals that cannot been seen by the naked eye; some
microorganisms are bacteria, viruses, protozoa, fungi, and animal parasites
Modes of Transmission - Airborne transmission - occurs when infectious agents are carried by
dust or droplet suspended in air; airborne dust includes material that has settled on surfaces
and become resuspended by air currents as well as infectious particles blown from the soil by
the wind
Modes of Transmission - Direct contact - occurs through skin-to-skin contact, kissing, and sexual
intercourse
, Airborne Precautions - are designed to reduce the nosocomial transmission of particles
0.001mm or less in size that can remain in the air for several hours and be widely dispersed;
special air handling and ventilation are required to prevent airborne transmission
Antiseptic - an agent that functions to kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms
Asepsis - being free of disease-producing microbes
Autoclave - a device that forces the temperature of steam above the boiling point of water to
sterlize instruments and equipment; most microorganisms are killed in a few minutes at
temperatures ranging from 130° C to 150° C
Barrier Protection (PPE) - Personal Protective Equipment; masks, goggles, face shileds,
respirators, etc., provide a barrier against infection to the person wearing it; proper disposal will
assist in slowing the spread of infection
Contact Precautions - Infectious agents (bacteria, viruses or parasites) transmitted directly or
indirectly from one infected or colonized person to a susceptible host (patient), often on the
contaminated hands of a health worker
Disinfection - a technique used to destroy many but not all pathogenic organisms such as
spores; caustic chemicals are used to disinfect medical equipment that is not able to be
autoclaved; instruments and equipment that are disinfected are used externally such as
stethoscopes, reflex hamnmers or visual occlude; types of disinfectants include sodium
hypochlorite (household bleach 1:10 soultion), alcohol, iodophors, glutaraldehyde, and
formaldehyde Alternative Methods of Treatment - Other options for medical intervention
hypochlorite (household bleach 1:10 soultion), alcohol, iodophors, glutaraldehyde, and
formaldehyde
Droplet Precautions - reduce the risks for nosocomial transmission of pathogens spread wholly
or partly by droplets larger than 0.001 mm in size; pathogens are microbes that can cause
disease; are simpler than airborne precautions because the particles only remain in the air for a
short time and travel only a few feet; therefore, contact with the source must be close for a
susceptible host to become infected
Handwashing - the most important means of preventing the spread of infection; a routine
procedure uses plain soap to remove soil and transient bacteria; hand antisepsis requires the
use of antimicrobial soap to remove, iill or inhibit transient microorganisms; the proper amount
of time to wash one's hands is 1 to 2 minutes
Infection - a condition in which the body is invaded by a pathogen
Medical Asepsis - the practice of removing or destroying pathogens and to prevent pathogens
from spreading from one person or place to another
Microorganism - are tiny living plants or animals that cannot been seen by the naked eye; some
microorganisms are bacteria, viruses, protozoa, fungi, and animal parasites
Modes of Transmission - Airborne transmission - occurs when infectious agents are carried by
dust or droplet suspended in air; airborne dust includes material that has settled on surfaces
and become resuspended by air currents as well as infectious particles blown from the soil by
the wind
Modes of Transmission - Direct contact - occurs through skin-to-skin contact, kissing, and sexual
intercourse
, Airborne Precautions - are designed to reduce the nosocomial transmission of particles
0.001mm or less in size that can remain in the air for several hours and be widely dispersed;
special air handling and ventilation are required to prevent airborne transmission
Antiseptic - an agent that functions to kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms
Asepsis - being free of disease-producing microbes
Autoclave - a device that forces the temperature of steam above the boiling point of water to
sterlize instruments and equipment; most microorganisms are killed in a few minutes at
temperatures ranging from 130° C to 150° C
Barrier Protection (PPE) - Personal Protective Equipment; masks, goggles, face shileds,
respirators, etc., provide a barrier against infection to the person wearing it; proper disposal will
assist in slowing the spread of infection
Contact Precautions - Infectious agents (bacteria, viruses or parasites) transmitted directly or
indirectly from one infected or colonized person to a susceptible host (patient), often on the
contaminated hands of a health worker
Disinfection - a technique used to destroy many but not all pathogenic organisms such as
spores; caustic chemicals are used to disinfect medical equipment that is not able to be
autoclaved; instruments and equipment that are disinfected are used externally such as
stethoscopes, reflex hamnmers or visual occlude; types of disinfectants include sodium
hypochlorite (household bleach 1:10 soultion), alcohol, iodophors, glutaraldehyde, and
formaldehyde Alternative Methods of Treatment - Other options for medical intervention
