Infection Control Study Guide

Understanding infection control is crucial in certain industries. This guide summarizes key points to help you prepare for your tests. Always refer to your textbook and any state board material for comprehensive information.

Key Definitions

• Cleaning: Mechanical process using soap and water or detergent to remove visible dirt, debris, and many germs.
• Sanitizing: Chemical process to reduce germs on clean surfaces to a safe level.
• Disinfecting: Chemical process using specific products to destroy harmful organisms on non-porous items, excluding bacterial spores.
• Sterilizing: Process to destroy all microbial life, including spores, typically with an autoclave.

Regulatory Bodies

• OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration): Regulates workplace safety and health standards.
• EPA (Environmental Protection Agency): Registers disinfectants sold and used in the U.S.

Legal Aspects

• Laws: Written by federal and state legislatures to determine the scope of practice and guidelines.
• Rules and Regulations: More specific than laws, set by regulatory agencies, and can change frequently.

Disease Transmission

• Direct Transmission: Pathogens spread through touch, kissing, coughing, sneezing, talking.
• Indirect Transmission: Contact with intermediate contaminated objects.
• Airborne Transmission vs. Respiratory Droplets: Differ by particle size and suspension in the air.

Types of Diseases

• Infectious Disease: Caused by harmful microorganisms entering the body.
• Contagious Disease: Infectious diseases that can spread from person to person.

Microorganisms

• Bacteria: Single-celled organisms; can be pathogenic (harmful) or non-pathogenic (harmless).
• Viruses: Sub-microscopic particles that replicate by taking over host cells.
• Fungi: Includes molds, mildew, and yeast.
• Parasites: Live on or in another organism, contributing nothing to the host's survival.

Specific Pathogens

• Staphylococci: Common bacteria, can cause food poisoning and diseases.
• MRSA: A staph infection resistant to antibiotics, can be life-threatening.
• Mycobacterium: Found in soil and water.
• Blood-Borne Pathogens: Microorganisms carried by blood or body fluids.

Disinfectants and Procedures

• Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Quats): Effective disinfectants for non-porous surfaces.
• Tuberculocidal Disinfectants: Kill tuberculosis bacteria.
• Household Bleach: Effective sodium hypochlorite disinfectant.

Other Concepts

• Biofilms: Microorganism colonies adhering to surfaces.
• Exposure Incident: Contact with potentially infectious materials in a workplace.

Study Recommendations

• Always read the relevant textbook chapters thoroughly.
• Keep updated on any changes in rules and regulations.

Conclusion

Understanding infection control is essential, and revisiting this topic in your textbook is strongly recommended. Use this guide as a starting point and ensure to cover all materials provided by your resources. Keep learning and stay informed.