1. Infection Control
Infection control is an essential part of the medical assistant’s responsibilities. Protecting our patients and protecting ourselves from disease is part of our daily duties as a medical assistant.

2. Bell Work
Med Term Quiz

3. Standards
11)Demonstrate concepts and skills of asepsis, universal precautions, sanitation, disinfection, and sterilization for patient care setting in adherence to standards and guidelines from the Center for Disease Control and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in a lab/clinical setting.
12) Define the term normal flora and explain how its deviation can prevent or cause a disease. Outline specific preventative measures to align to acceptable standards of care in the healthcare field.
At the conclusion of class today I CAN:
Identify the disease causing pathogens and classify them correctly as a bacteria, rickettsia, virus, fungus, or protozoa
Outline the chain of infection and identify ways to break each link in the chain through infection control techniques
Summarize the five stages of illness and create a skit to illustrate each stage
REMEMBER TO LOOK FOR THE OWL! Raise your hand when you find him!

4. Microorganisms and Pathogens
A microorganism is a microscopic organism seen only by using a microscope
Not all microorganisms cause disease
Harmless microorganisms on our body are called “normal flora”
Microorganisms that cause disease are called “pathogens”
It is important for us to remember while we are talking about pathogens that all microorganisms do not cause disease.

5. Pathogens
Require nutrients, moisture, warmth, and neutral pH to grow and thrive
Aerobic pathogens require oxygen to survive
Anaerobic pathogens require oxygen-free environment to survive
Pathogens are disease-producing microorganisms. Understanding what they need to grow and survive helps us to be able to control the spread of pathogens.

6. Types of Pathogens Bacteria Rickettsia Virus Fungus Protozoa
Five main types of pathogens:
Bacteria
Rickettsia
Virus
Fungus
Protozoa
There are five main types of pathogens. For the benefit of medical assisting and infection control, we are going to learn these five.

7. Bacteria One-celled organisms
Three types: cocci—round shape, bacilli— rod shape, spirilla—spiral shape
Bacterial infections include staph infections, strep throat, Lyme disease, and gonorrhea
There are literally hundreds of bacterial infections. Bacteria can also be divided into gram positive and gram negative. Practice listing all the bacterial infections that you know about.

8. Rickettsia (parasite)
Parasitic nature—organism depends on host to survive
Spread to humans via vectors: lice, ticks, fleas
Infections include Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and typhus
Rickettsia are parasitic in nature, meaning that they need a host to survive or they live off another living thing.

9. Virus Pathogen that grows and reproduces after infecting a host cell
More than 400 types
Smallest of all pathogens
Viral infections include common cold, hepatitis, chicken pox, and HIV
There are lots of virus types and many cold and influenza types. Viral infections are hard to treat because viruses are very small and hard to isolate.

10. Fungus Yeast, mold, and mushroom Many present in body’s normal flora
Many do not cause disease
Fungal infections include athlete’s foot, ringworm, and yeast infections
Mushrooms, yeasts, and molds are all in the fungus group. Fungus resides on our body as normal flora and does not harm us.

11. Protozoa Live mainly in soil
Spread through fecal–oral route by ingested contaminated food or water
Some spread by mosquitoes or other insects
Protozoan infections include malaria, Giardia, and trichomoniasis
Protozoan infections commonly infect persons with low immunity.

12. Brain Break Would you rather be REALLY sick for two days (window)
Or feel under the weather for two weeks (door)

13. Chain of Infection Pathogen Reservoir host Means of exit
Method of transmission
Means of entry
Susceptible host
The chain of infection explains how infection continues to spread. As medical assistants, it is our responsibility to break the chain of infection at every possible link to promote health for our patients and ourselves.

14. Pathogen
Disease-producing microorganism; bacteria, virus, fungus, protozoa, and rickettsia
Present in blood or body fluids, called “bloodborne pathogens”
Pathogens need an environment that enables them to survive, grow, and multiply
The human body is a perfect environment
The first link in the Chain of Infection is the pathogen. The pathogen is required for any infection to be present. The five types of pathogens are bacteria, virus, fungus, protozoa, and rickettsia. Pathogens can be present in our body fluids, including in blood. Pathogens are often referred to as bloodborne pathogens.

15. Reservoir Host Human, animal, or insect that is infected with disease
Other reservoirs may be water, food, and contaminated objects
Host may be symptomatic or asymptomatic
Reservoir host is contagious even though he or she may not appear ill
A reservoir host is a person who has the pathogen present in his or her body. The reservoir host may be sick and have symptoms of illness or may be perfectly healthy in appearance. A person who is ill but does not show symptoms is called asymptomatic.

16. Means of Exit Pathogen must be able to exit reservoir host
Any body opening lined with mucous membranes: eyes, nose, throat, vagina, rectum, penis
Injury or surgery
Blood, body fluids: vaginal secretions, semen, urine, feces
In order for the Chain of Infection to continue to spread, the pathogen must be able to leave the reservoir host to infect another person.

17. Mode of Transmission
Direct contact—person-to-person contact or skin-to-skin contact
Handshaking, kissing, and sexual contact
Indirect contact— fomites; ticks, fleas, lice, and countertops
Indirect contact includes airborne and droplet infection—sneezing, coughing, and talking
Transmission includes direct contact, indirect contact, and airborne transmission.

18. Means of Entry Pathogen must find entry into new host
Any opening in the body lined with mucous membranes: nose, mouth, throat, vagina, penis, rectum
Wounds to the skin
Just as the pathogen has to leave the reservoir host in order to continue to spread, the pathogen also has to find a way to enter another person. The means of exit are exactly like the means of entry—mucous-lined membranes and wounds or nonintact skin.

19. Susceptible Host Weakened immune system Poor hygiene
Inadequate nutrition
Stress
Chronic disease
Poor environmental conditions
Elderly
Very young
Certain medications
Smoking
Alcohol abuse
A A variety of conditions contribute to a person being a susceptible host. Medical assistants work to make sure that we do not become a susceptible host. By eating well, exercising, practicing good hygiene, and so forth, medical assistants can lessen the amount of times they are ill.

20. What link in the chain am I?
Yeast infection
Handshake
Open wound
Mucous membranes
Sneeze
Nose
Elderly lady
Person with flu
Mouth
Pencil
Table top
Cold virus
Infant girl
Person with hepatitis
Bloody nose
Blood
Door knob
Person with AIDS
Sexual intercourse
Needle
Used Kleenex

21. Stages of Disease Incubation stage Prodromal stage Acute stage
Declining stage
Convalescent stage
There are several stages in the disease process. In some illnesses, there are not clear definitions between the stages.

22. Incubation Stage Beginning stage of infection (latent)
Starts when person first contacts pathogen
Person may be asymptomatic
Person is contagious
First appearance of symptoms
This is also called the latent stage. The person is contagious but may not know he or she is sick. The incubation stage includes the first appearance of symptoms.

23. Prodromal Stage Earliest symptoms Fever (febrile) or rash
Person may state “I just don’t feel right”
Person is contagious
The prodromal stage follows the incubation stage. This stage marks the interval between the earliest symptoms and the appearance of a rash or elevated temperature.

24. Acute Stage Symptoms are at their worst Person is obviously ill
Person is contagious
During this time the patient should take medications, rest, and avoid contact with others
The acute stage includes the time when the symptoms are at their worst and the patient is obviously ill. The patient is still contagious and should take care to stay home and rest.

25. Declining Stage Acute stage ends Symptoms begin to decrease
Patient starts to feel better
The declining stage begins when symptoms begin to lessen. The patient may still be ill but notices that he or she may be feeling just a bit better.

26. Convalescent Stage Symptoms are gone Recovery time
Continues until patient regains homeostasis
The convalescent stage is the recovery period. Symptoms are gone, and the patient knows he or she is feeling better. This stage lasts until the patient is fully recovered and homeostasis has returned.

27. Group Collaboration
In groups of 4 create a skit that will demonstrate the chain of infection and each stage of disease
You will perform your skit for the class
BE CREATIVE!

28. Defense Mechanisms
The body has natural defense mechanisms to protect itself against disease:
Mechanical
Chemical
Cellular
The body has natural defense mechanisms to fight disease.

29. Mechanical Defenses
First line of defense against pathogens is “intact” skin
Serves as barrier to environment
Coughing and sneezing
Eyelashes and eyebrows
The first line of defense to fight pathogens entering our body is intact skin. This means no openings in our skin of any kind—no hangnails, no paper cuts, all skin is intact. The skin acts as a barrier to pathogens.

30. Chemical Defenses Sebaceous glands Stomach fluids
Tears and saliva contain lyzozyme
Interferons have antiviral activity
Sebaceous glands secrete an oily substance that actually kills some types of pathogens.
Stomach fluids are highly acidic and effectively kill pathogens if pathogens are swallowed.
Tears and saliva are acidic which is not conducive to bacterial growth.
Interferons have antiviral activity. Some are produced by white blood cells in response to pathogen invasion.

31. Cellular Defenses
Various cells also act to protect the body from pathogens
Inflammatory response
Cell-mediated immunity
Antibody-mediated immunity
Various cells act to protect the body from pathogens.

32. Brain Break Would you rather….
Get a shot and feel better in two days (door)
Take medication by mouth and feel better in five days (window)

33. Immunity Protection from infectious disease Active or passive
Further categorized as acquired naturally or passively
Immunity is defined as protection from infectious disease.

34. Active Natural Immunity
Develops when body is exposed to pathogenic microorganisms
Microorganisms contain antigens (cell markers)
White blood cells develop antibodies
Antibodies protect during second exposure
An example of active natural immunity is when a person is infected with varicella. Varicella is the virus that causes chicken pox. The person gets sick, recovers, and never “catches” chicken pox again. The person had the disease and will never get this disease again due to the antibodies the person has.

35. Active Artificial Immunity
Develops when antigen is purposely introduced into body
Vaccine
Live, weakened, dead microorganism
Stimulates antibody formation without causing disease
Active artificial immunity occurs when a person receives a vaccine to produce immunity. An example includes the tetanus vaccine. After you receive the tetanus injection, you are protected against tetanus. The vaccine stimulated antibodies that will protect you from becoming ill.

36. Passive Natural Immunity
Develops when antibodies from mother cross placenta to fetus
Provide protection to fetus for several months
Additional antibodies are found in breastmilk
Passive natural immunity occurs when a mother gives birth and the newborn does not get ill for a short period of time. Passive immunity is short term. Another example of passive natural immunity is when a mother breastfeeds her infant. The child receives the mother’s antibodies through breast milk and will not become ill.

37. Passive Artificial Immunity
Develops when preformed antibodies from animal or human are then injected into an individual with known exposure
Antiserum provides temporary passive immunity
Helps in cases of exposure to rabies, botulism, venomous snake or spider bites, hepatitis, and diptheria
Passive artificial immunity occurs when preformed antibodies are developed in an animal or human and are then injected into an individual with a known exposure. A person with a known exposure to hepatitis can be injected with gamma globulins to produce a short-term immunity to hepatitis A. The injection boosts the person’s immunity.

38. Visual

39. Non-Lingual Representation
Draw pictures depicting each type of immunity
Be creative!

40. Biohazard Spill
Protect yourself with PPE, control spill with paper towels
Cover entire spill with 10% bleach solution and let stand for 20 minutes
Clean up spill with mechanical device, do not use hands
Repeat bleach application, wait another 20 minutes
Always protect yourself by wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). If necessary, ask another person to assist you in the cleanup of the spill. If you are uncertain regarding how to clean the spill, ask another person for assistance. Always protect yourself.

41. Disinfection More thorough than sanitization
Kills bacteria and most microorganisms but not spores
Use different disinfectants for surfaces and equipment vs. skin surfaces
Read labels and follow manufacturer’s directions
Iodine, household bleach, and 70% alcohol
Disinfection typically involves the application of a substance to equipment, surfaces, or other items to kill pathogenic microorganisms. Disinfection can be done to countertops and trays, some types of furniture, and even the skin.

42. Medical Asepsis
Method of performing procedures and providing patient care so that pathogenic organisms are not transmitted from ill patient to anyone else
As few microorganisms present as possible
Destruction of pathogenic organisms after they leave the body
Easiest way? Follow standard precautions
Consider specimens to be contaminated
Medical aseptic technique is a method of performing procedures and providing patient care so that pathogenic organisms are not transmitted from the ill patient to other patients or anyone else.

43. Surgical Asepsis
Destroying all pathogenic organisms before they enter the body
A method of performing invasive procedure so that patients are protected from pathogenic microorganisms
Use surgical aseptic technique
Normal protective barriers are punctured or disrupted
Injections, urinary catheterization, wound care, and surgical procedures
Surgical aseptic technique protects the patient while performing invasive procedures. Any break in the skin is a way for pathogens to enter. When patients undergo procedures that include making an incision into the skin, they are at a greater risk for pathogen invasion.