Section 5 The Chain of Infection.pdf

1. 1. INFECTIOUS
AGENT
2. RESERVOIRS
3. PORTAL OF
EXIT
4. MEANS OF
TRANSMISSION
5. PORTAL OF
ENTRY
6. SUSCEPTIBLE
HOST
CHAIN OF
INFECTION
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SECTION 5
C H A I N O F I N F E C T I O N
The Chain of Infection
The Chain of Infection will continue as long as all of the following elements are in place. There
are 6 links. Transmission (transferring) of infection is part of a cycle – ‘The Chain of Infection’.
This chain needs to be broken so that the spread of infection can be prevented.

2. The Chain of Infection
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The Chain of Infection - How it works
VIDEO CONTENT

3. P A G E 2 7
1. INFECTIOUS
AGENT
2. RESERVOIRS
3. PORTAL OF
EXIT
4. MEANS OF
TRANSMISSION
5. PORTAL OF
ENTRY
6. SUSCEPTIBLE
HOST
To break the chain of infection we use Standard Infection
Control Precautions
Examples of the Chain of Infection
Exmple 1

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1. INFECTIOUS
AGENT
2. RESERVOIRS
3. PORTAL OF
EXIT
4. MEANS OF
TRANSMISSION
5. PORTAL OF
ENTRY
6. SUSCEPTIBLE
HOST
Examples of the Chain of Infection
To break the chain of infection we use Standard Infection
Control Precautions
Exmple 2

5. Good hand hygiene
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Sharps safety
Safe handling of blood and body fluid spills
Cleaning and decontamination of equipment
Cleaning and disinfection
Correct disposal of waste
blood and other body fluids secretions or
excretions (excluding sweat),
non-intact (broken) skin or mucous
membranes
equipment or items in the working
environment that could have become
contaminated.
What are Standard Infection Control
Precautions (SICPs)?
SICPs are the basic infection prevention and
control rules and actions which reduce the risk of
infection.
SICPs include:
Sources of (potential) infection include:
Basic standards of infection control should be
used at all times.
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6. P A G E 3 0
NOTES

7. P A G E 3 1
NOTES