asepsis and Infection Control

Infection: It is the invasion of body tissue by micro-organisms and their proliferation there.
Normal (resident) flora: microorganism which present normally in a vegetative state in one area of the body, and produce infection to another. Ex: Escherichia Coli
Microorganism: infectious agent
Virulence: ability of microorganism to produce the disease.
Communicable disease: it is the transmission of the infectious agent to an individual to another.
Sepsis state of infection Asepsis: is the freedom from disease-causing microorganism
Medical asepsis: all practices intended to confine a specific
Microorganism to specific area, limiting number,
Growth, and transmission
Of microorganism.
Clean: absence of almost all microorganism
Dirty: soiled or contaminated
Infections that are associated with delivery of healthcare environment
Can be developed during clients’ stay in hospital or manifests after discharge
Nosocomial infections can be acquired by health personnel.
Iatrogenic infection: infections occur as a result of diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.
Local infection is limited to the specific part of the body, where the microorganism remains.
If the microorganism spread and damage different parts of the body, it is then called systematic infection
Localized swelling
Localized redness
Pain or tenderness with palpation or movement
Palpable heat in the infected area
Loss of function of the body part affected
Fever
Increased pulse and respiratory rate if the fever high
Malaise and loss of energy
Anorexia and, in some situations, nausea and vomiting
Enlargement and tenderness of lymph nodes that drain the area of infection
Laboratory data
Elevated WBC count
Increase in specific WBC types
Elevated Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate ESR
Cultures of urine, blood, sputum, or other drainage
Etiologic Agent (microorganism)
Reservoir (source)
Portal of Exit
Mode of Transmission
Portal of Entry to the host
Susceptible Host
Micro Organism:
Pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi, and Protozoan)
Differ in shape, size, structure, chemical composition, growth requirements, ability to develop toxins.
Viability under adverse environmental conditions determines the type of treatment.
Suitable Environment:
To live and multiply in before transmission to the host
Can be person, animal, plant, soil, food, or any organic substance
Pathogens needs appropriate food, oxygen (aerobic vs anaerobic), water (moisture and drainage), temperature pH and darkness to grow.
Carrier: person or animal reservoir of microorganism that usually does not manifest any clinical sign of the disease.
Method of transmission
1. Direct transmission (touching, biting, sexual intercourse)
2. Indirect transmission:
3. Airborne transmission
Droplet or dust
It is any person who is at risk for infection
Compromised host:
Very young or very old
Patients on immune suppression treatment
Cancer, chronic illness, organ transplant,
Immune deficiency conditions
Stages of Infection
Incubation period – entrance to body till appearance of symptoms
Prodromal period الفترة البدائية - Nonspecific to specific signs, client spread disease, microorganism multiply
Illness period– client exhibit S & S of disease
Convalesce period فترة النقاهة – symptoms of infection disappear