1 / 30

The Chain of Infection

The Chain of Infection. As healthcare professionals, it is important to understand two things about infection :. the various ways infection can be transmitted. 2. the ways the infection chain can be broken. There are six links in the chain of infection :. 1st - The Infectious Agent.

duncan
Download Presentation

The Chain of Infection

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. The Chain of Infection

  2. As healthcare professionals, it is important tounderstand two things about infection:

  3. the various ways infection can be transmitted 2. the ways the infection chain can be broken

  4. There are six links in the chain of infection :

  5. 1st - The Infectious Agent -any disease-causing microorganism (pathogen)

  6. 2nd - The Reservoir Host -the organism in which the infectious microbes reside

  7. What are “Carrier Hosts” Hosts that do not show any outward signs or symptoms of a disease but are still capable of transmitting the disease are known as carriers.

  8. 3rd - The Portal of Exit -route of escape of the pathogen from the reservoir. Examples: respiratory secretions, blood exposure, breaks in skin

  9. 4th - The Route of Transmission -method by which the pathogen gets from the reservoir to the new host

  10. Transmission may occur through: direct contact

  11. air

  12. insects

  13. 5th - The Portal of Entry -route through which the pathogen enters its new host

  14. Respiratory System inhalation

  15. Gastrointestinal System ingestion

  16. Urinary & Reproductive Tracts Sexual contact

  17. Breaks in Protective Skin Barrier

  18. 6th - TheSusceptible Host -the organism that accepts the pathogen The support of pathogen life & its reproduction depend on the degree of the host’s resistance.

  19. Organisms with strong immune systems are better able to fend off pathogens.

  20. Organisms with weakened immune systems are more vulnerable to the support & reproduction of pathogens.

  21. How to interrupt the chain of infection: -The essential part of patient care & self-protection.

  22. 1. Pathogen Identification -identification of infectious agent & appropriate treatment

  23. 2. Asepsis & Hygiene -potential hosts & carriers must practice asepsis & maintain proper personal hygiene

  24. 3. Control Portals of Exit -healthcare personnel must practice standard precautions:

  25. (Control body secretions & wash hands according to protocol.)

  26. 4. Prevent a Route of Transmission -prevent direct or indirect contact by: Proper handwashing Disinfection & sterilization techniques Isolation of infected patients Not working when contagious

  27. 5. Protect Portal of Entry -Health professionals must make sure that ports of entryare not subjected to pathogens. (nose, mouth, eyes, urinary tract, open wounds, etc.)

  28. 6. Recognition of Susceptible Host -health professionals must recognize & protect high-risk patients

  29. Cancer Patients • AIDS Patients • Transplant Patients • Infant & Elderly Patients

  30. Remember--breaking the chain of infection is the responsibility of each health professional.

More Related