the chain of infection - weebly · 2. the ways the infection chain can be broken. there are six...

The Chain of Infection

As healthcare

professionals, it is

important to

understand two

things about

infection:

1.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

-any disease-causing

microorganism

(pathogen)

Infection Control

• Microorganism – a small living organism that is not visible to the naked eye; found everywhere in the environment

• Normal flora-plant life adapted for living in a specific environment; important for maintaining certain body processes; nonpathogenic

• Pathogen-disease or infection causing microorganism

Types of Microorganisms

• Bacteria• Simple, one-celled organisms that multiply

rapidly

• Classified by shape and arrangement (cocci,

bacilli, spirilla

• Examples of disease caused by bacteria

include gonorrhea, meningitis, strep throat,

botulism

• Antibiotics are used to kill bacteria

Types of Microorganisms

• Protozoa

• One-celled animal-like organisms often

found in decayed materials and

contaminated water

• Cause diseases such as malaria, amebic

dysentery, trichomonas

Types of Microorganisms

• Fungi

• Simple, plant-like organisms that live on

dead organic matter

• Yeasts and molds are two common forms

that can be pathogenic

• Cause diseases such as ring worm,

athlete’s foot, yeast vaginitis, and thrush

• Treated with antifungals

Types of Microorganisms

• Rickettsiae

• Parasitic microorganisms commonly found

in fleas, lice, ticks, and mites

• Cause diseases such as typhus fever,

Rocky Mountain Spotted fever

• Antibiotics are effective against many

rickettsiae

Types of Microorganisms

• Virus

• Smallest microorganism, visible only with an

electron microscope

• Cannot reproduce unless inside another living

cell

• More difficult to kill because resistant to many

disinfectants and are not affected by antibiotics.

• Cause diseases such as common cold, herpes,

chicken pox, AIDS, Hepatitis

2nd - The Reservoir Host

-the organism in which the

infectious microbes reside

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.

What are “Carrier Hosts”

3rd - The Portal of Exit

-route of escape of the pathogen

from the reservoir.

Examples: respiratory

secretions, blood

exposure, breaks in

skin

4th - The Route of

Transmission

-method by which the pathogen

gets from the reservoir to the

new host

Transmission may occur through:

direct contact

air

insects

5th - The Portal of Entry

-route through which the

pathogen enters its new host

Respiratory System

Gastrointestinal System

Urinary & Reproductive Tracts

Breaks in Protective Skin Barrier

6th - The Susceptible Host

-the organism that accepts the

pathogen

The support of pathogen life & its

reproduction depend on the degree

of the host’s resistance.

Organisms with strong immune

systems are better able to fend off

pathogens.

Organisms with weakened immune

systems are more vulnerable to the

support & reproduction of pathogens.

-The essential part of patient care &

self-protection.

How to interrupt the chain of

infection:

1. Pathogen Identification

-identification of infectious

agent & appropriate treatment

2. Asepsis & Hygiene

-potential hosts &

carriers must practice

asepsis & maintain

proper personal hygiene

3. Control Portals of Exit

-healthcare personnel must

practice standard precautions any

time they might possibly come into

contact with blood or other body

fluids :

(Control body secretions & wash

hands according to protocol.)

4. Prevent a Route of

Transmission

-prevent direct or indirect contact by:

1. Proper handwashing (#1 way to

prevent the spread of infection!)

2. Disinfection & sterilization techniques

3. Isolation of infected patients

4. Not working when contagious

5. Protect Portal of Entry

-Health professionals must make

sure that ports of entry are not

subjected to pathogens.

(nose, mouth, eyes, urinary tract,

open wounds, etc.)

6. Recognition of Susceptible

Host

-health professionals must recognize

& protect high-risk patients

•Cancer Patients

•AIDS Patients

•Transplant Patients

•Infant & Elderly

Patients

The Chain of Infection

Reservoir Host

Portal of Exit

Mode of TransmissionPortal of Entry

Susceptible Host

Infectious Agent

Chain of infection

• Infectious agent Reservoir Host Portal

of Exit Mode of Transmission Portal

of Entry Susceptible host…..and back

to the infectious agent!

How to Don a Gown

• Select appropriate type and size

• Opening is in the back

• Secure at neck and waist

• If gown is too small, use two gowns

Gown #1 ties in front

Gown #2 ties in back

PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

How to Don a Mask

• Place over nose, mouth and chin

• Fit flexible nose piece over nose bridge

• Secure on head with ties or elastic

• Adjust to fit

PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

How to Don Eye and Face Protection

• Position goggles over

eyes and secure to the

head using the ear pieces

or headband

• Position face shield over

face and secure on brow

with headband

• Adjust to fit comfortablyPPE Use in Healthcare Settings

How to Don Gloves

• Don gloves last

• Select correct type and size

• Insert hands into gloves

• Extend gloves over isolation gown cuffs

PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

“Contaminated” and “Clean” Areas of PPE

• Contaminated – outside front

Areas of PPE that have or are likely to have

been in contact with body sites, materials, or

environmental surfaces where the infectious

organism may reside

• Clean – inside, outside back, ties on

head and back

Areas of PPE that are not likely to have been in

contact with the infectious organismPPE Use in Healthcare Settings

Sequence for Removing PPE

• 1st: Gloves

• 2nd: Face shield or goggles

• 3rd: Gown

• 4th: Mask or respirator

PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

How to Remove Gloves (1)

• Grasp outside edge near

wrist

• Peel away from hand,

turning glove inside-out

• Hold in opposite gloved

hand

PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

How to Remove Gloves (2)

• Slide ungloved finger

under the wrist of the

remaining glove

• Peel off from inside,

creating a bag for

both gloves

• Discard

PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

Remove Goggles or Face Shield

• Grasp ear or head

pieces with ungloved

hands

• Lift away from face

• Place in designated

receptacle for

reprocessing or

disposalPPE Use in Healthcare Settings

Removing Isolation Gown

• Unfasten ties

• Peel gown away from

neck and shoulder

• Turn contaminated

outside toward the

inside

• Fold or roll into a

bundle

• Discard

PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

Removing a Mask

• Untie the bottom,

then top, tie

• Remove from face

• Discard

PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

Hand Hygiene

• Perform hand hygiene immediately after

removing PPE.

If hands become visibly contaminated during PPE

removal, wash hands before continuing to remove

PPE

• Wash hands with soap and water or use

an alcohol-based hand rub

PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

* Ensure that hand hygiene facilities are available at

the point needed, e.g., sink or alcohol-based hand

rub

What Type of PPE Would YouWear?

• Giving a bed bath?

• Suctioning oral secretions?

• Transporting a patient in a wheel chair?

• Responding to an emergency where blood is spurting?

• Drawing blood from a vein?

• Cleaning an incontinent patient with diarrhea?

• Irrigating a wound?

• Taking vital signs?

PPE Use in Healthcare Settings

***Answer these questions on a separate sheet of paper and turn

in***