DISEASE PREVENTION
PART I
MODES OF TRANSMISSION
CONTACT TRANSMISSION
Indirect Contact
an object/person that transfers the microorganism from infected person to a new host
Direct Contact
transfer of microorganisms directly from an infected person to someone else
DROPLET TRANSMISSION
Transfers of small droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes or talks during medical procedures
AIRBORNE TRANSMISSION
When some microorganisms are carried by air, remain in air and dispersed over long periods of time
ASEPSIS CONTROL
ANTISEPSIS
- Prevent or inhibit growth of pathogenic organisms
- Usually on the skin
- Not effective against spores and viruses
DISINFECTION
- Destroys or kills pathogenic organisms
- Not always effecting against spores and viruses
STERILIZATION
- Destroys all microorganisms (both pathogenic and non-pathogenic)
STANDARD
PRECAUTIONS
BEFORE CARE: Patient should be placed in private room, wash hands and wear gloves
DURING CARE: Limit transport of patient/resident to essential purposes only, and limit use of noncritical care equipment to a single patient
AFTER CARE: Bag linen to prevent contamination of self, environment, or outside of bag, discard infectious trash to prevent contamination of self, environment, or outside of bag and wash hands
AIRBORNE PRECAUTIONS
Used for patients known or suspected to be infected with pathogens that can be transmitted via air.
DROPLET PRECAUTIONS
Used for patients known or suspected to be Infected with pathogens transmitted by droplets though coughing or sneezing.
CONTACT PRECAUTIONS
Used for patients known or suspected to be Infected with microorganisms that can be spread in direct or indirect contact.
HOW TO PROCESS
INSTRUMENTS
DECONTAMINATION
- Making instruments safer to handle by decreasing pathogen
- Preventing organic material from sticking to equipment
CLEANING
- Using the correct tools to scrub equipment
- Goal is to remove organic material on the equipment
STERILIZATION OR
HIGH-LEVEL DISINFECTION (HLD)
- Goal is to kill all microorganisms
- When sterilization is not available, HLD is the only other possible option
USE OR STORAGE
- When a health care worker’s skin is pierced or cut by contaminated needles or sharp instruments
- When fluids are splashed on the mucous membranes of the health care worker