Infection Control: Medical Asepsis

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Infection Control Medical Asepsis

• NURS 305

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Asepsis

• Condition in which no infection is present the
  absence of disease producing microorganisms
  
• Types of Aseptic Techniques
• Medical
• Surgical

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Medical Asepsis(Clean Technique)

• Examples
• Handwashing
• Using clean gloves to prevent direct contact with
  blood or body fluids
  
• Routine cleaning of the environment

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Terms

• Pathogens Harmful microorganisms that cause
  infection
  
• Microorganism An organism of microscopic size
• Infections Occur when pathogens enter the body

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Chain of Infection

• Describes how disease is transferred from one
  living being to another
  

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Chain of Infection Link One

• Causative agent
• a pathogen or microorganism that causes disease
• may be bacterium, virus, fungus or protozoan

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Chain of Infection Link Two

• Reservoir
• place where the pathogen lives and grows
• lungs, blood, large intestine, etc.

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Chain of Infection Link Three

• Portal of exit
• any body opening on infected person that allows
  pathogens to leave
  
• the nose, the mouth, the eyes, cuts in the skin

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Chain of Infection Link Four

• Mode of Transmission
• how the pathogen travels from one person to the
  next
  
• through the air, direct contact, or indirect
  contact
  

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Chain of Infection Link Five

• Portal of entry
• any body opening on uninfected person that allows
  pathogens to enter
  
• nose, mouth, eyes, other mucous membranes, cuts
  in skin, dry or cracked skin
  

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Chain of Infection Link Six

• Susceptible host
• uninfected person who could get sick
• all healthcare workers and anyone in their care
  who is not already infected with that particular
  disease
  

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Things to Remember

• If one of the links in the chain of infection is
  broken, then the spread of infection is stopped

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Body Substances Covered Under Standard Precautions

• Blood and blood products
• All body fluids, secretions, excretions, except
  sweat (regardless of whether or not they contain
  visible blood)
  
• Broken skin (including acne and open sores)
• Mucous membranes (lining of the mouth, nose,
  eyes, rectum, vagina)

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Things to Remember About Standard Precautions

• Used on all patients regardless of their
  infection status
  
• Reduce the risk of bloodborne pathogen
  transmission
  
• Reduce the risk of disease transmission from body
  substances
  

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Guidelines When to Wash Hands

• Before and after using restroom
• After touching body substances
• Before putting on gloves
• After taking off gloves
• Before feeding patients
• Before and after meals
• Between all contact with patients
• Before leaving facility or home

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Things to Remember

• Handwashing is the single most important thing
  you can do to prevent the spread of disease

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Guidelines When to Wear Gloves

• If you might touch blood
• When handling body fluids
• During mouth care
• During perineal care
• When shaving patient
• When providing personal care on broken skin
• When providing personal care if there are cuts on
  your hands
  
• When disposing of soiled linens

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Guidelines When to Change Gloves

• Immediately before contact with mucous membranes
  or broken skin
  
• If gloves become soiled, worn, or damaged

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Guidelines When to Remove Gloves

• After use
• Before touching non-contaminated items or
  surfaces
  
• Before caring for another patient

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Guidelines When to Wear Gowns and Aprons

• During a procedure that is likely to cause body
  fluid splashes or sprays
  
• When appropriate for the procedure or activity
  and the amount of fluid likely to be encountered
  

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Guidelines When to Wear Masks, Eye Protection,
and Face Shields

• To protect facial mucous membranes during
  procedures and activities likely to generate
  splashes or sprays
  

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Demonstration Washing Hands

• Turn on water at sink
• Angle arms down
• Wet hands and wrists
• Apply cleanser or soap
• Lather all surfaces of fingers and hands,
  producing friction, for at least 10 seconds
  
• Clean fingernails by rubbing in palm of other
  hand
  
• Dry hands
• Turn off faucet using paper towel

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Demonstration Putting on Gloves

• Wash hands.
• If right-handed, slide one glove on left hand
  (reverse if left-handed).
  
• With gloved hand, take second glove and slide
  other hand into it.
  
• Interlace fingers to smooth out folds and create
  a comfortable fit.
  
• Carefully look for tears, holes, or spots.
  Replace the glove if necessary.
  
• If wearing a gown, pull the cuff of the gloves
  over the sleeve of the gown.

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Demonstration Taking Off Gloves

• Touching only outside of one glove, pull first
  glove off by pulling down from the cuff.
  
• As the glove comes off, it should be inside out.
• With ungloved hand, reach two fingers inside
  remaining glove.
  
• Pull down, turning glove inside out over first
  glove.
  
• Dispose of gloves.
• Wash hands.

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Demonstration Putting on a Gown

• Open gown.
• Hold gown in front of you.
• Slip arms into sleeves and pull gown on.
• Tie neck ties into a bow.
• Reaching behind, pull gown to cover clothing.
• Tie the back ties.
• Use gown only once.
• Put on gloves after putting on gown.

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Items to Clean and Disinfect

• All environmental surfaces
• Beds, bedrails, all bedside equipment
• All frequently touched surfaces (doorknobs are a
  good example)

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Guidelines Handling, Transporting, and
Processing Soiled Linens

• Prevent skin and mucous membrane exposure
• Prevent contamination of clothing (hold linen
  away from uniform)
  
• Prevent transfer of disease to other patients
  environments