Infection Control Test 2 Sterile Techniques, PPE & Transmission Based Precautions

15:8 Using Sterile Techniques Many procedures require use of sterile techniques to protect patients from infection Surgical asepsis keeps an object or area free from living organisms

15:8 Using Sterile Techniques (continued) Free from all organisms Contaminated Organisms and pathogens are present

15:8 Using Sterile Techniques (continued) Important to differentiate between sterile and contaminated areas or items while using sterile technique Correct techniques must be strictly followed to maintain sterility and prevent contamination

15:8 Using Sterile Techniques (continued) Sterile field Area used for placement of sterile supplies All sterile items need to be checked before use Observe agency guidelines for date Necessary to keep sterile field dry

15:8 Using Sterile Techniques (continued) Drop technique For gauze, pads, dressings, small items Mitten technique For bowls, drapes, linens Transfer forceps For cotton balls, small items

The Basic Rules Include Handwashing before and after patient contact Gloves For possible contact with blood, bodily fluids, secretions, excretions, mucous membranes, tissue specimens, or nonintact skin Handling/cleaning contaminated items/surfaces

The Basic Rules Include Gloves (continued) When performing invasive procedures When performing venipuncture or blood tests Hands must be washed immediately after removal of gloves Gloves must not be reused

The Basic Rules Include Gowns For procedures that cause splashing or spraying Help prevent contamination of clothing or uniform Contaminated gowns must be handled per policy Hands must be washed immediately after gown removal

The Basic Rules Include Masks and eye protection For procedures that cause splashing or spraying Prevent exposure of mucous membranes of mouth, nose, and eyes to pathogens Use masks once and discard; change every 30 minutes if needed

The Basic Rules Include Masks and eye protection (continued) Protective eyewear and face shields protect front, top, bottom, and sides of eyes If not disposable, must be cleaned and disinfected before reuse

The Basic Rules Include Sharps Use extreme caution to avoid cuts and punctures When possible, use safe needles or needleless devices Use sharps containers Follow laws regarding disposal of sharp objects The sharps container must not be emptied or reused.

The Basic Rules Include Spills or splashes Wipe up with disposable cleaning cloths Wear gloves when wiping up Use disinfectant such as 10-percent bleach solution Clean all contaminated surfaces Absorbent powder can be used for large spills

The Basic Rules Include Resuscitation devices Use to avoid need for mouth-to-mouth resuscitation Place in convenient location, have readily accessible

The Basic Rules Include Waste and linen disposal Wear gloves, follow agency policy Use biohazard bags appropriately Injuries Immediately report cut or injury, needle stick, or splashing of blood or body fluids Follow agency policy

15:9 Maintaining Transmission-Based Isolation Precautions Some diseases are communicable Caused by easily transmitted organisms Epidemic Spreads rapidly person to person, affects large numbers Pandemic Wide geographic area, high proportion of populace

15:9 Maintaining Transmission-Based Isolation Precautions (continued) Use in addition to Standard Precautions Provides extra protection against specific diseases/pathogens Protects patient, family, health care workers Type used depends on the causative organism of disease

15:9 Maintaining Transmission-Based Isolation Precautions (continued) Communicable diseases spread in many ways Direct contact with a patient Contact with dirty linen, equipment, supplies Contact with blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions

15:9 Maintaining Transmission-Based Isolation Precautions (continued) Contaminated (dirty) Items that contain disease-producing organisms; must not be touched unless protected Clean Items that do not contain disease-producing organisms; prevent contamination of these areas

Standard Precautions Use on all patients Patient must be in private room if they contaminate environment or cannot maintain appropriate hygiene Follow recommendations for use of PPE

Airborne Precautions Use for patients known/suspected to be infected with pathogens transmitted by airborne droplet nuclei Rubella, varicella, tuberculosis, shingles Refer to Figure 15-45 in Text

Droplet Precautions Use if patient is known/suspected to be infected with pathogens transmitted by large-particle droplets Neisseria meningitis, multidrug-resistant Streptococcus meningitis, severe viral influenza Refer to Figure 15-47 in Text

Contact Precautions Use if patient is known/suspected to be infected with epidemiological microorganisms transmitted by direct or indirect contact Viral or hemorrhagic conjunctivitis or fevers, diphtheria, scabies Refer to Figure 15-48 in Text

Protective or Reverse Isolation Methods used to protect certain patients from organisms present in the environment Used mainly for immunocompromised patients, whose body defenses cannot protect them from infection and disease Precautions vary based on patient’s condition