Define the following terms:

1. Define the following terms: • Infection control • the measures practiced in healthcare facilities to prevent and control the spread of disease. • Microorganism or Microbe • a living thing or organism that is so small that it can be seen only through a microscope.

2. Define the following terms: • Infection • the state resulting from pathogens invading the body and multiplying. • Pathogens • harmful microorganisms. • Systemic infection • an infection that is in the bloodstream and is spread throughout the body, causing general symptoms.

3. Define the following terms: • Localized infection • an infection that is confined to a specific location in the body and has local symptoms. • Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) • infections that patients acquire within healthcare settings that result from treatment for other conditions. • Medical asepsis • the process of removing pathogens, or the state of being free of pathogens.

4. Define the following terms: • Clean • in health care, a condition in which objects are not contaminated with pathogens. • Dirty • in health care, a condition in which objects have been contaminated with pathogens. • Surgical asepsis • the state of being free of all microorganisms, not just pathogens; also called sterile technique.

5. 1. Define “infection control” and related terms • REMEMBER: • Working to prevent the spread of disease is the responsibility of all care team members.

6. Define the following terms: • Causative agent • a pathogen or microorganism that causes disease. • Reservoir • a place where a pathogen lives and grows. • Portal of exit • any body opening on an infected person that allows pathogens to leave.

7. Define the following terms: • Mode of transmission • method of describing how a pathogen travels from one person to the next person. • Direct contact • touching an infected person or his secretions. • Indirect contact • touching something contaminated by an infected person. • Portal of entry • any body opening on an uninfected person that allows pathogens to enter.

8. Define the following terms: • Mucous membranes • the membranes that line body cavities, such as the mouth, nose, eyes, rectum, or genitals. • Susceptible host • an uninfected person who could get sick. • Transmission • passage or transfer. • Infectious • contagious.

9. Transparency 5-1: The Chain of Infection

10. 2. Describe the chain of infection • REMEMBER: • If one of the links in the chain of infection is broken—by washing hands, for example—then the spread of infection is stopped.

11. Define the following terms: • Malnutrition • poor nutrition due to improper diet. • Dehydration • a condition that results from inadequate fluid in the body.

12. 3. Explain why the elderly are at a higher risk for infection and identify symptoms of an infection • The elderly are at higher risk of infection due to • Weakened immune systems • Decreased circulation • Slow wound healing • Malnutrition • Dehydration

13. 3. Explain why the elderly are at a higher risk for infection and identify symptoms of an infection • Factors affecting risk of infection in the elderly (cont’d.): • Limited mobility • Hospitalization • Difficulty swallowing • Incontinence • Feeding tubes and other tubing

14. 3. Explain why the elderly are at a higher risk for infection and identify symptoms of an infection • Report these signs and symptoms of localized infection: • Pain • Redness • Pus • Swelling • Drainage (fluid from a wound or cavity) • Heat

15. 3. Explain why the elderly are at a higher risk for infection and identify symptoms of an infection • Report these signs and symptoms of systemic infection: • Fever • Chills • Body aches • Headache • Drop in blood pressure • Nausea, vomiting • Weakness • Mental confusion

16. Define the following terms: • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) • a government agency under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that issues information to protect the health of individuals and communities. • Isolate • to keep something separate, or by itself. • Standard Precautions • a method of infection control in which all blood, body fluids, non-intact skin, and mucous membranes are treated as if they were infected with an infectious disease.

17. Define the following terms: • Body fluids • under Standard Precautions, includes saliva, sputum (mucus coughed up), urine, feces, semen, vaginal secretions, and pus or other wound drainage; does not include sweat. • Sharps • needles or other sharp objects.

18. 4. Describe the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and explain Standard Precautions • Think about this question: • Why should Standard Precautions be practiced with every resident in your care?

19. 4. Describe the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and explain Standard Precautions • Use these Standard Precautions measures with every resident: • Wash hands. • Wear gloves. • Remove gloves immediately when finished with a procedure. • Immediately wash skin surfaces. • Wear a disposable gown when appropriate. • Wear a mask and goggles when appropriate.

20. 4. Describe the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and explain Standard Precautions • Standard Precautions measures (cont’d.): • Wear gloves when handling sharp objects. • Never attempt to cap a needle or syringe. • Avoid nicks and cuts. • Bag all contaminated supplies. • Clearly label body fluids. • Dispose of contaminated waste properly.

21. Define the following terms: • Hand hygiene • washing hands with either plain or antiseptic soap and water and using alcohol-based hand rubs. • Hand antisepsis • washing hands with water and soap or other detergents that contain an antiseptic agent. • Antimicrobial • destroying or resisting pathogens.

22. 5. Explain the term “hand hygiene” and identify when to wash hands • REMEMBER: • Although alcohol-based rubs are useful, it is still very important to wash hands with soap and water and not to rely solely on alcohol-based rubs.

23. 5. Explain the term “hand hygiene” and identify when to wash hands • NAs should wash their hands at all of the following times: • Arrival at work • Any time they are visibly soiled • Before, between, and after all resident contact • After contact with body fluids, mucous membranes, non-intact skin, dressings • After handling contaminated items • After contact with objects in resident’s room

24. 5. Explain the term “hand hygiene” and identify when to wash hands • Wash hands (cont’d.): • Before and after touching meal trays • Before and after feeding residents • Before putting on gloves and after removing gloves • Before getting clean linen • After touching garbage or trash • After picking up things from the floor • After using the toilet

25. 5. Explain the term “hand hygiene” and identify when to wash hands • Wash hands (cont’d.): • After blowing nose or sneezing into hand • Before and after eating • After smoking • After touching areas on the body • Before and after applying makeup • After any contact with pets/pet care items • Before leaving facility

26. 5. Explain the term “hand hygiene” and identify when to wash hands • REMEMBER: • Handwashing is the single most important thing you can to do prevent the spread of disease.

27. Washing hands • Equipment: soap, paper towels • Turn on water at sink. Keep your clothes dry, because moisture breeds bacteria. • Angle your arms down, holding your hands lower than your elbows. This prevents water from running up your arm. Wet hands and wrists thoroughly.

28. Washing hands (cont’d.) • Apply skin cleanser or soap to your hands. • Rub hands together and fingers between each other to create a lather. Lather all surfaces of your fingers and hands, including your wrists. Use friction for at least 20 seconds. Friction helps clean. • Clean your nails by rubbing them in palm of other hand.

29. Washing hands (cont’d.) • Being careful not to touch the sink, rinse thoroughly under running water. Rinse all surfaces of your hands and wrists. Run water down from wrists to fingertips. Do not run water over unwashed arms down to clean hands. • Use a clean, dry paper towel to dry all surfaces of your hands, wrists, and fingers. Do not wipe towel on unwashed forearms and then wipe clean hands. Dispose of towel without touching wastebasket. If your hands touch the sink or wastebasket, start over.

30. Washing hands (cont’d.) • Use a clean, dry paper towel to turn off the faucet. Do not contaminate your hands by touching the surface of the sink or faucet. • Dispose of used paper towel(s) in wastebasket immediately after shutting off faucet.

31. Define the following terms: • Personal protective equipment (PPE) • equipment that helps protect employees from serious workplace injuries or illnesses resulting from contact with workplace hazards. • Perineal care • care of the genitals and anal area. • Non-intact skin • skin that is broken by abrasions, cuts, rashes, acne, pimples, or boils.

32. 6. Discuss the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in facilities • Gloves should be worn at the following times: • If you might touch blood or any body fluid • During mouth care or care of any mucous membrane • During perineal care • When providing personal care on non-intact skin • When providing personal care if NA has cuts on hands • When shaving a resident • When disposing of soiled linens, gowns, dressings, and pads

33. 6. Discuss the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in facilities • Gloves should be changed • Immediately before contact with mucous membranes or broken skin • If gloves become soiled, worn, or damaged

34. Putting on gloves • Wash your hands. • If you are right-handed, slide one glove on your left hand (reverse if left-handed). • With gloved hand, slide the other hand into the second glove. • Interlace fingers. Smooth out folds and create a comfortable fit.

35. Putting on gloves (cont’d.) • Carefully look for tears, holes, or discolored spots. Replace the glove if needed. • If wearing a gown, pull the cuff of the gloves over the sleeve of gown.

36. 6. Discuss the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in facilities • Gloves should be removed • After use • Before caring for another resident • Before touching non-contaminated items or surfaces

37. Taking off gloves • Touch only the outside of one glove. Pull the first glove off by pulling down from the cuff. • As the glove comes off your hand, it should be turned inside out.

38. Taking off gloves (cont’d.) • With the fingertips of your gloved hand, hold the glove you just removed. With your ungloved hand, reach two fingers inside the remaining glove. Be careful not to touch any part of the outside of glove. • Pull down, turning this glove inside out and over the first glove as you remove it.

39. Taking off gloves (cont’d.) • You should now be holding one glove from its clean inner side. The other glove should be inside it. • Drop both gloves into the proper container. • Wash your hands.

40. 6. Discuss the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in facilities • REMEMBER: • Gowns are worn during any procedure that is likely to cause body fluid splashes or sprays.

41. Putting on a gown • Wash your hands. • Open the gown. Hold out in front of you and allow gown to open. Do not shake it. Slip your arms into the sleeves and pull gown on.

42. Putting on a gown (cont’d.) • Tie the neck ties into a bow so they can be easily untied later. • Reach behind you. Pull the gown until it completely covers your clothing. Tie the back ties.

43. Putting on a gown (cont’d.) • Use a gown only once and then remove and discard it. When removing a gown, roll the dirty side in and away from the body. If your gown ever becomes wet or soiled, remove it. Check clothing and put on a new gown. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires non-permeable gowns—gowns that liquids cannot penetrate—when working in a bloody situation. • Put on your gloves after putting on gown.

44. 6. Discuss the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in facilities • Wear masks and goggles • If there is risk of splashing body fluids or blood. • Wear masks if respiratory illnesses are present.

45. Putting on mask and goggles • Wash your hands. • Pick up the mask by top strings or elastic strap. Be careful not to touch the mask where it touches your face.

46. Putting on mask and goggles (cont’d.) • Adjust the mask over your nose and mouth. Tie top strings first, then bottom strings. Masks must always be dry or they must be replaced. Never wear a mask hanging from only the bottom ties. • Put on the goggles. • Put on your gloves after putting on mask and goggles.

47. Define the following terms: • Sterilization • a measure that destroys all microorganisms, including pathogens. • Disinfection • process that kills pathogens, but not all microorganisms; it reduces the organism count to a level that is generally not considered infectious. • Disposable • only to be used once and then discarded.

48. 7. List guidelines for handling equipment and linen • Remember these guidelines for equipment, linen, and clothing: • Prevent skin/mucous membrane contact. • Prevent contamination of clothing. • Prevent transfer of disease to other residents or environments. • Do not use re-usable equipment until it has been cleaned properly. • Dispose of all single-use equipment properly.

49. 7. List guidelines for handling equipment and linen • Guidelines for equipment, linen, and clothing (cont’d.): • Clean and disinfect all environmental surfaces, beds, bedrails, all bedside equipment, and all frequently touched surfaces (doorknobs are a good example). • Handle, transport, and process soiled linens and clothing in a way that prevents skin and mucous membrane exposure, contamination of clothing (hold linen away from uniform), and transfer of disease to other residents and environments. • Bag soiled linen at point of origin. • Sort soiled linen away from resident care areas. • Place wet linen in leak-proof bags.

50. 8. Explain how to handle spills • Remember these guidelines for cleaning spills involving blood, body fluids, or glass: • Put on gloves (industrial strength). • Use proper product to absorb spill. • Scoop up absorbed spill and dispose of it in designated container. • Apply disinfectant. • Use tools to pick up glass, never hands. • Properly bag waste.