Question

what is the answer for Maintaining a state of good health blocks this link in the chain of infection.

Answer 1

The Chain of Infection
Source
- Patients, visitors, staff, environment, equipment, other sources such as food or contamination at the manufacturer Transmission
- Contact – skin to skin, indirect contact – skin to inanimate object, droplet, airborne, blood and body fluids, vector (mosquito)
Susceptible Hosts
- Age, immunosuppression, no immunity, chronic underlying conditions (diabetes), emergency procedures

Stop Transmission
- Break the chain using proper hand hygiene
Hand Hygiene
- Good hand hygiene can terminate outbreaks in health care facilities, reduce transmission of antimicrobial resistant organisms and reduce overall infection rates
- An increase in hand hygiene adherence of
only 20% results in 40% reduction in the rate of
HAI
- Most healthcare providers believe they are
already practicing good hand hygiene
- Hand washing with soap and running water
remains most sensible strategy in non health
care settings
- Hand rubs with alcohol-based products
significantly reduce the microorganisms, fast acting, and cause less skin irritation Gloves
- Should be used as an additional measure not as a substitute for hand hygiene

- To be used when in direct contact with any body fluids or moist substances/exudate from wounds
- The use to gloves does not eliminate the need for hand hygiene
- Gloves reduce hand contamination by 70% - 80% prevent cross contamination and protect patients and health care personnel from infections
- Hand hygiene before donning gloves and after glove removal
Mask, eye protection, face shield
- To protect the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and mouth during procedures and patient care activities likely to generate splashes or sprays of blood, body fluids, secretions or excretions
- Or within 2 meters of coughing patient
Gowns
- Wear gowns when clothing likely to be soiled
- Protect clothing during procedures and patient care activities likely to generate splashes or sprays of blood, body fluids, secretions of excretions
Accommodation
- Single room not required unless patient visibly soils environment
Patient Care Equipment
- All reusable equipment to be cleaned between patients
- Safe disposal of sharps
Environmental Control
- Establish routine care, cleaning of surfaces and furniture, using hospital approved disinfectant
- “High touch” items and horizontal surfaces daily

irborne Precautionary Measures
- Single room, door closed at all times - Negative pressure
- 6 – 9 air changes per hour
- New construction 12 air changes
- Direct exhaust (air from room is not recirculated)
Personal Protective Equipment
- Respirators that filter submicron particles and fit around contours of face to avoid air leaks Patient Transport
- Patient should leave room for essential procedures only
- Patient to wear surgical mask