LPN 8 Hour Didactic IV Education Infection Prevention and Control By Pamela Truscott, MSN, Nurse Educator, RN Infection Prevention and Control Background Healthcare-acquired infections are increasing 1 in 25 hospital patients have at least one healthcare associated infection Nurses play key role in infection prevention and control Patient teaching should include prevention and control practices
Nature of Infection Infection is invasion of host by pathogen causing disease Colonization presence and growth of microorganisms within host but does not alter or damage tissue Disease or infection pathogens multiple and alter normal tissue function Chain of infection Infectious Agent Host Reservoir Portal of Entry Portal of Exit Mode of Transmission
Infectious Agent Microorganisms bacteria, protozoa, fungi, viruses Microorganisms to cause disease depend on number, ability, virulence, and susceptibility of host Hand hygiene most effective way to break the chain of infection Reservoir Reservoir place when microorganisms survive and await transfer Organisms require proper environment to thrive Food Oxygen Water Temperature ph Light
Portal of Exit Microorganisms that have successfully grown and multiplied need a portal of exit if they are to infect another host Exit sites include blood, skin and mucous membranes, trans-placental, GI, GU, and respiratory tract Precautions are recommended for health care settings to prevent transmission Modes of Transmission Major pathogen route of transmission is through unwashed hands by health care employees
Portal of Entry Enter body through same routes as exiting: blood, skin and mucous membranes, trans-placental, GI, GU and respiratory tracts Susceptible Host Degree of resistance to pathogens impacts the individual s susceptibility to infectious agents
The Infectious Process Take appropriate precautions with all patients Utilize good hand hygiene techniques Nursing care provided is dependent upon course of infection Health Care-Associated Infections Result from delivery of services in facility Occur as result of invasive procedures, MDROs, break in infection prevention and control activities, and antibiotic administration Increase cost of care Older adults have increased susceptibility Employees should adhere to infection prevention and control practices to protect themselves and patients from infection
Factors Influencing Prevention and Control Age Nutritional status Stress Disease process Medical Asepsis Absence of pathogenic microorganisms Aseptic technique reduce risk for infection
Control/Elimination of Infectious Agents Proper sterilization, cleaning, disinfection reduce/eliminate microorganisms Nurses should be aware of proper cleaning techniques for equipment they are utilizing Cleaning Removal of organic or inorganic material Involves water, soap, and mechanical scrubbing Items soiled with organic materials require the use of PPE
Disinfection and Sterilization Physical and chemical process to disrupt microorganisms ability to function Disinfection eliminates microorganisms but not bacterial spores Sterilization destroys all microbial life including spores Protection of the Susceptible Host Patient resistance improves if normal body defenses are protected Intervention should be utilized to maintain reparative body processes Isolation precautions enforced as added means of protection
Control or Elimination of Reservoirs of Infection Eliminate body fluids, solutions, or drainage that may contain microorganisms Reservoir elimination and avoiding transmission of microorganisms prevent bacteria growing in a new site OSHA identifies how to handle and dispose of body fluids that may have a risk of transmission of blood borne pathogens Control of Portals of Exit/Entry Cover mouth and nose Use Standard Precautions Bag contaminated items Skin integrity should be maintained Good oral hygiene practices Correct perineal hygiene practices Drainage tube exits cleaned appropriately and connected appropriately
Control of Transmission Remain aware of modes of transmission Clean/disinfect equipment appropriately between patient contact Keep dirty linen/equipment away from your uniform Hand Hygiene Most effective method to prevent/control transmission Health care workers who do not practice appropriate handwashing are primary source of transmission of infection in health care settings Artificial nails should not be worn Nails should be well manicured
Infection Prevention and Control for Hospital Personnel Exposure to infectious microorganisms is a continuous hazard for health care workers World Health Organization released new initiative for improved compliance http://who.int/gpsc/tools/five_moments/en/ Patient Education Teach patients proper hand hygiene Educate on infection prevention and control techniques
Surgical Asepsis/Sterile Technique Prevents contamination of open wounds Isolates operative areas from unsterile environments Maintains sterile field Utilize for insertion of peripheral IV catheters or central intravenous lines Safety Guidelines for Nursing Skills Utilize PPEs Keep surfaces clean and free of clutter Clean equipment between patients Provide patient education to reduce the transmission of pathogens and microorganisms
Key Points Hand hygiene most important technique to prevent and control infection Potential for microorganisms to cause disease depends on number, virulence, and ability of microorganism and susceptibility of host Standard precautions are utilized with all patients Reference Potter, P.A., Perry, A.G., Hall, A., & Stockert, P.A. (2017). Fundamentals of Nursing. St Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier.
Contact Information Nebraska Health Care Association Licensed Practical Nurse Association of Nebraska 1200 Libra Drive, Suite 100 Lincoln, NE 68512 402-435-3551 nhca@nehca.org