S5) Hospital Acquired Infections Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in S5) Hospital Acquired Infections Deck (24)
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1
Q

What are healthcare infections?

A

Healthcare infections are infections which arise as a consequence of providing healthcare

2
Q

For hospital acquired infections, when is the onset?

A

At least 48 hours after admission (infection isn’t present/incubating at time of admission)

3
Q

Which people are affected by healthcare infections?

A
  • In-hospital patients
  • Healthcare workers
  • Hospital visitors
4
Q

Why are healthcare infections important?

A
  • Frequent
  • Preventable
  • Impact health & healthcare organisations
5
Q

Identify some types of HCAI in order of prevalence

A
  • C.difficile
  • UTI (catheter)
  • Pneumonia (ventilator)
  • Surgical wound infections
  • Primary bloodstream (central line)
6
Q

Identify 8 types of patients who are more susceptible to HCAI’s

A
  • Extremes of age
  • Obese/malnourished
  • Diabetes
  • Cancer
  • Immunosuppresion
  • Smoker
  • Surgical patient
  • Emergency admission
7
Q

In terms of infection prevention and control, outline the ‘patient’ component for HCAI’s

A
  • General and specific patient risk factors for infections
  • Interactions with other patients, healthcare workers and visitors
8
Q

In terms of infection prevention and control, outline the ‘place’ component for HCAI’s

A

Healthcare environment:

  • Fixed features
  • Variable features
9
Q

In terms of infection prevention and control, outline the ‘practice’ component for HCAI’s

A
  • General and specific activities of healthcare workers
  • Policies and their implementation
  • Leadership at all levels from government to ward
10
Q

In terms of infection prevention and control, outline the ‘pathogen’ component for HCAI’s

A
  • Virulence factors
  • Ecological interactions (other bacteria, antibiotics/disinfectants)
11
Q

Illustrate the different methods of transmission for HCAI’s

A
12
Q

Identify some HCAI viruses

A
  • Hepatitis B&C
  • HIV
  • Norovirus
  • Influenza
  • Chickenpox
13
Q

Identify some HCAI fungi

A
  • Candida albicans
  • Aspergillus species
14
Q

Identify an HCAI parasite

A

Malaria – Plasmodium falciparum

15
Q

Identify some HCAI bacteria

A
  • Staph aureus (MRSA)
  • C.difficile
  • E.coli
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis
  • Klebsiella pneumoniae
16
Q

What is antibiotic resistance?

A

Antibiotic resistance is the ability of bacteria to resist the effects of antibiotics previously used to treat them

17
Q

What are the three mechanisms of antibiotic resistance?

A
  • Natural resistance
  • Genetic mutation
  • Acquired resistance (between species)
18
Q

What are some reasons for antibiotic resistance?

A
  • Misuse of antibiotics
  • Spontaneous mutation
19
Q

Outline the implementation of infection control in terms of patient interventions

A

Halting patient to patient transmission:

  • Isolation of infected patients
  • Protection of susceptible patients
20
Q

Outline the implementation of infection control in terms of healthcare worker interventions

A
  • Ensure healthcare workers are healthy, disease-free and vaccinated
  • Ensure healthcare workers practice good clinical techniques (PPE, hand hygiene and antimicrobial prescribing)
21
Q

Outline the implementation of infection control in terms of environmental interventions

A
  • Cleaning (disinfectants & steam cleaning)
  • Medical devices (single use equipment, sterilisation, decontamination)
  • Good food hygiene practice
  • Appropriate kitchen and ward room facilities
  • Positve/negative pressure rooms
22
Q

Outline the I-five principle

A
  • Identify (diarrhoea/vomiting, BBV, rash)
  • Isolate
  • Investigate
  • Inform
  • Initiate
23
Q

What is the function of Personal Protective Equipment?

A

PPE protects the user against health/safety risks at work (includes gloves, aprons, eye protection, masks)

24
Q

Provide 3 reasons as to why antimicrobial resistance is a global concern

A
  • Threatens the ability to treat common infectious diseases, resulting in prolonged illness, disability, and death
  • Increases cost of health care (lengthier hospital stays, more intensive equipment)
  • Makes procedures like organ transplantation, chemotherapy, major surgery and diabetes very high risk