Infectious Agents
Handwashing, wearing masks, avoiding contaminated surfaces, or using hand sanitizer.
What is the goal with breaking the chain of infection?
To help prevent the spread of infection
What does PPE stand for?
Personal Protective Equipment
Fever, chills, pain, aches, discomfort, drainage from infected area, swelling or redness in infected area, increased heart rate and respirations.
Push, roll, or ask for help
Which can be treated with antibiotics? Bacteria or virus
Bacteria
What is the first link in the chain of infection?
Infectious agent
The very first step in the handwashing procedure.
Inspect the hands
The pathogen gains entry to the host. This stage ends when the first symptoms become present and the stage length varies based on the disease.
What is body mechanics?
How a person uses their body when the move
Name three ways microorganisms can enter the body.
Open or broken skin, bodily fluids, airborne particles, or contact with contaminated surfaces.
What comes immediately before the susceptible host?
Portal of entry
When should you use soap and water instead of hand sanitizer.
When hands are visibly soiled, or there are cuts/scrapes/abrasions.
What is the acute stage of infection?
The disease reaches its highest point, and the patient shows the greatest severity of symptoms. The symptoms vary depending on the pathogen.
What is ergonomics?
The efficiency of the working environment
What type of microorganism is harmless and does not cause disease?
Nonpathogenic microorganism
What is the reservoir in the chain of infection?
The host where the pathogen lives, grows, and multiplies.
Proper order for donning PPE:
*Gloves, gown, goggles, mask
Gown, mask, goggles, gloves
What is the prodromal stage of infection?
Symptoms appear as the pathogen reproduces in the body. This is when the patient may feel fatigue. This stage typically lasts 1-2 days.
Name 3 guidelines for proper body mechanics.
Use good posture keeping body aligned in front of the work and avoid twisting or bending, Keep feet straight and shoulder width apart if possible, Position body closest to the object being lifted, bend at the knees when picking up and object, push or roll heavy object rather than lifting.
What type of microorganism causes disease?
Pathogenic microorganism
What is the correct order of the chain of infection? (6)
Reservoir, portal of entry, Susceptible host, portal of exit, mode of transmission, infectious agent
Infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, susceptible host
Proper order for doffing PPE:
*Goggles, gown, gloves, mask
Gloves, goggles, gown, mask
What are the last two stages of infection?
Declining: Symptoms begin to lessen, but the infection is still present
Convalescent: Symptoms have resolved, and the patient is usually able to resume their normal activities.
Patient anxiety, family member who is upset, disgruntled former employee, colleague's partner who is abusive.
OSHA recognizes workplace violence as a real hazard in health care and affects patients, visitors, colleagues, and the community.