Infection Control

Pathogens, infection, and colonization

o Pathogenicity
Ability of microorganism to produce disease
o Virulence
Degree of pathogenicity of an infectious
microorganism
How strong or likely it is to get someone sick
o Infection
Invasion and multiplication of microorganisms
o Colonization
Multiplication of microorganisms
o Flora
Microorganisms of the human body
Normal/resident
Transient
o Types of pathogens
Protoza
Bacteria
Fungi
Viruses
Bacteria
o Do not need a host to replicate
o What is an endospore?
Allows virus to be dormant, its like a shell to wait to
start to multiply, survive without nutrients
Only way to destroy them is through sterilization
o Examples of bacterial diseases
Strep, UTI, staff infection, bacterial pneumonia. CDIFF
Usually treat with antibiotics but not all our
susceptible by antibiotic
Not always good because they are overused
and misused
Protozon
o Free living organisms
o Can get them from uncooked seafood
o Some live within the body
o Examples
Fungi
o Yeasts or molds
o Methods of reproduction
Spores- travel airborne

Buds- dont travel airborne

o Fungi useful?
o Examples of fungi diseases
Yeast infection
Athletes foot
Viruses
o Smallest known disease causing organisms
o Cannot survive without a host
o No medications that will destroy it but some will inhibit
growth
o Examples of viral diseases
Herpes, flu, cold
Cycle of infection
o Infectious agent
o Reservoir/source
o Portal of exit
o Mode of transmission
o Portal of entry
GI tract, skin, mouth, eyes, nose
o Susceptible host
Fomite-an object
Normal defense mechanisms
o Non-specific immune defenses
Skin and normal flora
Mucous/membranes/sneezing/coughing/tearing
Elimination and acidic environment
Inflammation- non-specific cellular response
Inflammatory response
o Stage 1- initial injury
o Stage 2- increased blood flow
o Stage 3- increased capillary permeability
o Stage 4- leukocytes
o Stage 5- replacement of tissue
Specific immune defenses
o T-cells- t-lymphocytes
Regulate immune response
o B-cells
Produces specific antibodies
Stimulates memory B-cell formation
Aquired and humoral (found in body fluids) are 2
types
Stages of infectious process

o Localized (upper respiratory) and systemic (throughout

body) infections
o Incubation
o Prodromal
o Illness
o Convalescence
Nosocomial infections
o Where acquired?
What new area is of concern for nosocomial
infection acquisition?
Now in out patient and walk-in clinics
o Risk factors for infection
Air/food contamination, infected patients, equipment,
hospital workers
o Types of infections
Urinary tract is most frequent
o Roles of antibiotics
Over usage
Inappropriate usage
Asepsis
o Medical- reduce number, growth, and spread
Clean technique
Clean and dirty objects
Medical aseptic measures
o Surgical- eliminate all microorganisms and spores
Sterile technique
Micoorganisms and spores
Rules
Sterile fields
Causes of contamination
Sterilization- destruction of all organisms
o Types of items
Critical- directly into blood stream/sterile parts of the
body
Semi-critical- non-invasive equipment/instruments
Non-critical- touch only intact skin
o Methods
Steam- least expensive and most effective
Gas- complex and expensive (objects that cannot
withstand high heat)
Dry heat- not as effective
Liquid- formulas vary
Steris- liquid

Sterrad- vaporized liquid