1. MICROBIOLOGY
THE STUDY OF MICROORGANISMS. THE SCIENCE WHICH TREATS THE NATURE, LIFE AND ACTION OF MICROORGANISMS

2. It is impossible to see microorganisms without a microscope…….

3. Surgical Technologists must learn to see microorganisms with their “minds eye”.

4. Microorganisms can pose a threat to both patients and employees.

5. CONTAMINATION
The state of being soiled or infected by contact with infectious organisms or other material.

6. To effectively control Microorganisms, Surgical Technicians must understand:
How microorganisms are identified and classified
Basic facts about microorganisms
How they grow

7. To effectively control Microorganisms, Surgical Technicians must understand:
What conditions they need to grow and reproduce
How they are transmitted from person-to-person and place-to-place
How they can be controlled and killed

8. Basic Facts About Microorganisms
Not all microorganisms are harmful……..
Microorganisms are necessary for our existence
Microorganisms help with:
Food development
Decay of leaves and other natural waste
Sewage treatment, and more…..

9. Size and structure of bacteria
Most bacterial cells are 1-2 microns in size
A micron is
1/25,000 of an
inch

10. SPORE
A microorganism capable of forming a thick wall around itself that enables it to survive in adverse conditions; a resistant form of bacteria. * Bacterial spores pose specific challenges to the Operating Room environment

11. Cells and more cells….
Cells are basic units of all living organisms (plants, animals, and bacteria)
They are the smallest unit that can live, grow and reproduce.
They have different sizes and shapes

12. Identification and Classification of Microorganisms:
Common ways to identify and Classify Microorganisms include:
1. Shape
2. Color Change
3. Need for oxygen

13. Classification by shape
Bacteria are divided into 3 main groups by shape:
1. Cocci are round or spherical shaped and
occur in pairs, clusters, or chains
2. Rods (bacilli) may be large and brick-
shaped or small and stick-like
3. Spirals vary from comma-shaped to longer
bacteria with many twists

14. Bacteria are classified by color change
Bacteria are normally clear, color change occurs when bacteria are subjected to certain tests.
Common stain tests
-gram stain
-Ziehl-Neilson Stain

15. Gram Stain Procedure:
The gram stain is the most commonly used differential stain for determining cell morphology. Differential stains allow for distinguishing certain characteristics of cells, and the stains commonly use two or more stains. The Gram stain, which divides most clinically significant bacteria into two main groups, is the first step in bacterial identification

16. Bacteria are Classified by their Need for Oxygen:
Aerobic Bacteria- Capable of growing in the presence of free oxygen. Requires oxygen
Anaerobic Bacteria- Capable of growing in the absence of free oxygen. Does not require oxygen

17. How Bacteria Live and Grow…
BACTERIA _______________________________________ NEED THE RIGHT CONDITIONS TO GROW

18. Temperature Requirements for Bacteria
Psychrophiles – like cold temps
Mesophiles like moderate temps
Thermophiles – like warm temps
*Mesophiles are often pathogenic to humans and grow well at body temperature.

19. Bacterial Reproduction
Bacteria reproduce by dividing
This occurs approximately every 20 minutes
This process is call Binary Fission

20. Resistant Microorganisms ____________________________
Some microorganisms adapt and change to increase their chances of survival…..

21. Methicillin-Resistant Staphyloccus aureus (MRSA) _______________________________
Staphyloccus aureus bacteria that have developed a resistance to Methicillin, the drug of choice
MRSA usually occurs in patients who have been on antibiotics therapy for a long time

22. Vancomycin-Resistant Entrococcus (VRE) _____________________________
Enterococcus bacteria that are no longer sensitive to vancomycin
Transmission can occur by direct contact, or indirectly via the hands of personnel

23. NON-BACTERIAL ORGANISMS
“I am a real fungi , just ask
My “Shrooms”
VIRUSES PROTOZOA & FUNGI

24. VIRUS _____________________________________
ONE OF A GROUP OF MINUTE INFECTIOUS AGENTS THAT ONLY GROW IN LIVING TISSUE OR CELLS.

25. Viruses are Tiny…… Viruses are about 1000 times smaller than bacteria
If you were to enlarge a virus to the
Size of a baseball, the average bacterium
would be the size of the pitchers mound, and one single cell
from the human body would be the size of the entire ballpark.

26. Common Viral Diseases Small pox Rabies Yellow fever Influenza Measles
AIDS
Mumps
Polio
Common colds
Shingles
Cold sores
Warts
hepatitis

27. Hepatitis Five distinct viruses A, B, C, D, and E
A is often implicated in food borne illnesses
B, C,D, and E are transmitted in body fluids
There are vaccines available for A&B.

28. Herpes Simplex Recurrent skin and mucous membrane infections
HSV Type I is associated with cold sores and fever blisters
HSV Type 2 is associated with genital infections.

29. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
Causes AIDS
Occurs when the virus enters the blood stream

30. PROTOZOAN _____________________________________
Any one-celled animal-like microorganism is the sub kingdom of protozoa

31. FUNGI
Plant-like organism group that includes molds, mushrooms, and yeasts without chlorophyll.
They live by feeding off living or dead organisms
Fungi are involved in the production of most kinds of antibiotics

32. FUNGI
Several species of fungi can cause respiratory disease in humans who inhale spores through dust, bird droppings, soil and other sources.

33. Superficial FUNGI
Attack mainly epidermis, hair, nails, and mucosal surfaces
For example:
Ringworm and Athlete’s Foot

34. Transmission of Microorganisms
Microorganisms cannot move by themselves, but they have been called the “World’s Greatest Hitchhikers”
Microorganisms can be transmitted by air currents, dust particles, in liquids, on solid objects like instruments and equipment….and by humans (us)

35. Facts about Microorganisms
We come in contact with thousands of types of microorganisms each day.
Only about 1% are harmful to humans
However, any microorganism can be harmful to patients whose defenses are compromised due to illness, injury or invasive procedures.

36. PATHOGENIC Disease producing
Surgical Technologists protect patients from pathogenic organisms

37. For our patients! The hospital is a very dangerous place!!
Our job is to protect them

38. The chain of infection Susceptible Host Causative Agent
Portal of entry
Into the host
Reservoir
of the
agent
Portal of Exit
Of the Agent
From the
Reservoir
Mode of
Transmission

39. Causative Agent The microorganism that causes an infectious disease
Characteristics that make microorganisms capable of causing disease:
Invasiveness Viability in a free state
Pathogenicity
Virulence
Infectious Dose

40. Break the chain of infection by:
Eliminating the Causative agent
Avoid cross-contamination
Thorough cleaning
Disinfection
Sterilization

41. Reservoir of the agent
The place where an infectious agent can survive

42. Breaking the Chain of infection:
Reducing Reservoirs
Surgical Technologists can reduce reservoirs by practicing good personal hygiene and health habits
Properly cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing equipment, instruments, and utensils
SURGICAL CONSCIENCE!!

43. Portal of Exit
The path by which an infectious agent leaves the reservoir

44. Portals of Exit Respiratory tract- sneezing and coughing
Genitourinary Tract- Through urine, vaginal secretions, and semen
Gastrointestinal Tract-Through vomit and stools
Skin/mucous Membrane- Through mucous or wound drainage
Blood-Through blood transfusions or contact with blood
Transplacental-Through the placenta from mother to baby

45. Break the chain of infection by
Protecting yourself and other from exposure
Surgical Technologists should:
Practice proper waste disposal
Wear PPE when they may come in contact with in
infectious substances

46. Modes of Transmission
Airborne- infectious agents found in tiny droplet nuclei or dust that are suspended in the air and may travel.
For example:
Vector-borne- carried by insects
(rare in U.S. hospitals)

47. Break the Chain of Infection by:
Maintain good hand hygiene
Following good work practices for cleaning, decontamination, disinfection and sterilization
Following airflow control guidelines
Following Standard Precautions guidelines

48. Portal of Entry
The path used by an infectious agent to enter a susceptible host

49. Portals of Entry Respiratory Tract Genitourinary Tract
Gastrointestinal Tract
Skin/Mucous Membranes
Transplacental
Parenteral (definition?)

50. Break the Chain of Infection by:
Ensuring that equipment, utensils and instruments are properly cleaned, disinfected, and/or sterilized
Follow standard precautions when handling contaminated items

51. Susceptible Host: Host Susceptibility is affected by: 1. Age
2. Disease
3. Nutritional Status
4. Compromised Immune status
5. Trauma

52. What we can’t see CAN hurt us!!
Millions of tiny bacteria, too small to see, inhabit our work area!!!

53. Understanding Microorganisms Helps Surgical Technologists:
Prevent them from reproducing
Control their transmission
Destroy them
Protect patients, employees and ourselves

54. Preparedness
Understanding the basics about microorganisms is the first step in being prepared to fight them!!