Infection Prevention and Control

Importance

• Vital for improved patient outcomes.
• Decreases healthcare costs for patients and the healthcare system.

Understanding Infection

• Symptoms: Heat, redness, swelling, pain.
• Process: Invasion and multiplication by a disease-causing agent.
  • Agents: Bacteria, viruses, yeast, fungi, and other microorganisms.
  • Reaction: These agents multiply and react with host tissue causing disease.

Chain of Infection

1. Infectious Agent:
   • Example: Flu virus.
   • Needs a reservoir (e.g., human body).
2. Reservoir Exit:
   • Exits via blood, respiratory secretions, or other body fluids.
   • For flu, primarily respiratory secretions.
3. Mode of Transmission:
   • Direct contact, respiratory droplets, airborne.
   • Flu virus: typically respiratory droplets.
4. Portal of Entry:
   • GI tract, skin cuts, or mucous membranes.
5. Susceptible Host:
   • Issues occur when the pathogen finds a host.
   • Greater susceptibility with decreased immune system or increased exposure.

Breaking the Chain of Infection

• Hand Washing:
  • Essential practice using soap, water, and friction.
  • Highly effective in breaking the chain.
• Other Measures:
  • Adequate hydration, rest, nutrition, and exercise.
  • Hand washing is the most critical step.