INTRODUCTION TO INFECTION CONTROL ICNO Infection Control Unit, Teaching Hospital, Jaffna.

1. INTRODUCTION TO INFECTION CONTROLICNOInfection Control Unit,Teaching Hospital,Jaffna.

2. What is infection control? Infection control is a series of procedures and guidelines to prevent hospital associated infection. [H.A.I]

3. Hospital acquired infections Acquired by patients during their stay in the hospital Neither present nor incubating at the time the patient was admitted to the health care facility and may appear even after the patient is discharged Symptoms appear usually 48-72 hours after admission

4. Sources of infections Endogenous – due to organisms in own flora. Eg: group B streptococcal infections Exogenous – infections acquired from outside. (Cross infections/HAI) -Infected or colonized patients/staff -Contaminated equipment/ medication -Environment – surfaces, air, food, water

5. HAI – Why is it a problem? Caused by hospital bacteria – Resistant to commonly used antibiotics Eg:- MRSA(methicillin resistant staphylococcus aurous) ESBL(Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase) Have to use expensive drugs in their treatment Duration of infection is usually long Higher mortality Increased economic burden Quality of life Pain/suffering/ depression

6. Types of HAI • Urinary Tract Infections • Respiratory Tract Infections – ventilator associated pneumonia • Surgical site Infections • Septicaemia • Skin & Soft tissue Infections • Meningitis -rare

7. Causative organisms Gram negative bacilli- E.coli , - Klebsiellaspp - Serratiaspp - Acinetobacterspp - Pseudomonas spp Gram positive cocci – S. aureus (MRSA) - Enterococci (VRE) Gram positive bacilli – Corynebacteriaspp - Clostrediumdifficilli Candida spp

8. Factors affecting HAI • Age – elderly & very young patients • Underlying Diseases • Invasive procedures • Immunosuppression – Cytotoxic drugs • Trauma , Burns • Implants

9. Routes of Spread of Infections • Contact – direct - hands - indirect via fomites • Respiratory tract - air born particles <5µ – droplet particles >5µ • Faeco–oral – food & water - poor hygiene • IV fluids & medications • Blood & blood products • Sharp injuries -occupational • Splashes on to mucus membranes -occupational

10. How are these infections transmitted? H.A.I may be transmitted by health care workers to patients, from patient to patient and from patient to health care workers.

11. Prevention of Hospital Infections Many of these infection can be controlled following a set of very simple practical guidelines called stranded precaution. • Elimination of source of infection • Interruption of transmission • Enhancing the host ability to resist infection

12. STANDARD PRECAUTION 1.Hand hygiene 2.Use personal protective equipment [PPE] 3.Proper cleaning disinfection and sterilization of patient care equipment. 4.Environmental cleaning and disinfection when necessary. 5.Proper handling of linen. 6.Proper waste disposal. 7.Proper handing and disposal of sharps. 8.Occupational Health

13. SPECIFIC MEASURES • Facilities for hand washing and drying • Adequate space • Ventilation • Isolation facilities • Health care workers with out infection. • Infection surveillance • Antibiotic policy • Liaison with infection control team • Health education of staff, patients and visitors

14. THANK YOU ICNOInfection Control Unit,Teaching Hospital,Jaffna.