The document outlines infection control and prevention measures, particularly focusing on nosocomial infections acquired in healthcare settings. It details the chain of infection, modes of transmission, and the importance of universal precautions, emphasizing hand hygiene and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Additionally, it highlights the role of nursing in preventing these infections through education, surveillance, and adherence to protocols.

1. Infection control and prevention
Nosocomial infection
Universal precautions
Prepared by
Md Rahat Ul Azam
Nursing Instructor
Rangpur Nursing College
Rangpur

2. Infection
• An infection is a condition resulting
from the invasion and growth of
harmful microorganisms, such as
bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites, in
the body.

3. Symptoms of an infection
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Pain or discomfort
• Swelling
• Redness and
warmth
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Sore throat
• Rash
• Nausea, Vomiting or
Diarrhoea
• Muscle and joint
pain
• Change in appetite

4. Infection prevention

5. Infection Prevention and Control (IPC)
• According to “WHO” infection prevention and
control (IPC) is a scientific approach and
practical solution designed to prevent harm
caused by infection to patients and health
workers.

7. The 5 pillars of infection control
1.Isolation and barrier precaution
2.Decontamination of equipment's
3.Prudent use of antibiotics
4.Hand hygiene
5.Decontamination of environments

8. Chain of Infection

9. Chain of Infection
1. Infectious agent (pathogen)
2. Reservoir
3. Portal of exit from the reservoir
4. Portal of entry into a host
5. Susceptible host
6. Mode of transmission

10. Agent
• An infectious agent is a microorganism with
the ability to cause an infectious disease.
• Infectious agents are bacteria, virus, fungi and
parasites

11. Reservoir
• Reservoirs are a place within which
microorganisms can thrive and reproduce.
• Animate reservoirs include people, insects, birds,
and other animals.
• Inanimate reservoirs include soil, water, food,
feces, intravenous fluid, and equipment.

12. Portal of exit
• Portal of exit is the path by which micro-
organisms leave the host to enter another host
and cause disease/infection.
• portal of exit can include blood, respiratory
secretions, and anything exiting from the
gastrointestinal or urinary tracts.

13. Portal of entry
• A portal of entry is the site through which micro-
organisms enter the susceptible host and
cause disease/infection.
• Infectious agents enter the body through various
portals, including the mucous membranes, the
skin, the respiratory and the gastrointestinal
tracts.

14. Susceptible host
• A host (also called the susceptible host) is a
person who is susceptible to the disease,
lacking immunity or physical resistance, to
overcome invasion by the microorganism.

15. Mode of Transmission of disease
Direct Contact
• This occurs when an infected person comes
into physical contact with a susceptible
person. It includes touching, kissing, and
sexual contact.

16. Mode of Transmission of disease
continue..
Indirect Contact
• In this mode, a person becomes infected by
touching surfaces or objects contaminated
with pathogens.

17. Mode of Transmission of disease
continue..
Airborne Transmission
• Pathogens can become airborne when an
infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.
• Diseases like tuberculosis, and the flu can
spread through airborne transmission.

18. Mode of Transmission of disease
continue..
Droplet Transmission
• Similar to airborne transmission, but the
infectious respiratory droplets are larger and tend
to travel shorter distances.
• Diseases like COVID-19, the flu, and bacterial
meningitis can be transmitted through
respiratory droplets.

19. Mode of Transmission of disease
continue..
Vector-Borne Transmission
• Vectors such as mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas
can carry pathogens from infected hosts to
humans.

20. Mode of Transmission of disease
continue..
Fecal-Oral Transmission
Pathogens in feces can be ingested by a person
through contaminated food, water, or hands.

21. Mode of Transmission of disease
continue..
Blood-borne Transmission
Infections can be transmitted through contact
with infected blood or blood products.

22. Mode of Transmission of disease
continue..
Perinatal Transmission
Some diseases can be transmitted from a
mother to her baby during pregnancy,
childbirth, or breastfeeding.

23. Mode of Transmission of disease
continue..
Zoonotic Transmission
Diseases can be transmitted from animals to
humans.

24. Mode of Transmission of disease
continue..
Foodborne Transmission
Pathogens can contaminate food and water,
leading to diseases when consumed. Salmonella
and E. coli are examples of pathogens
responsible for foodborne illnesses.

25. Universal precautions
• The Center for Disease Control (CDC) defines
Universal Precautions as “a set of precautions
designed to prevent transmission of Human
Immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Hepatitis B virus
(HBV), and other blood borne pathogens when
providing first aid health care.”

26. Elements for Standard Precautions
7 Elements for standard precautions include-
1.Hand hygiene
2.Respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette
3.Personal protective equipment (PPE)

27. Elements for Standard Precautions
continue..
4. Safe injection practice, sharps management
and injury prevention.
5. Safe handling, cleaning and disinfection of
patient care environment
6. Decontaminate environmental surfaces
7. Waste management and disposal

28. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Personal protective equipment (PPE) refers to
wearable equipment that is designed to protect
healthcare personnel from exposure to or contact
with infectious agents.
• These include gloves, face masks, protective eye
wear, face shields, and protective clothing

29. Types of PPE used in health care
settings
• Gloves -protect hands
• Gowns/aprons-protect skin and or clothing
• Masks-protect mouth/nose
• Goggles-protect eyes
• Face shield –protect face, mouth, nose and
eyes.

30. HAND HYGIENE
• Hand hygiene means cleaning hand by using
either soap-water or antiseptic hand rub

31. Moments of Hand Hygiene

32. Nosocomial Infection

33. Hospital Acquired Infection (HAI)/
Nosocomial Infection
• Hospital Acquired Infection/ Nosocomial
Infection also referred to as healthcare-
associated infections (HAI), are infection(s)
acquired during the process of receiving
health care that was not present during the
time of admission.

34. Characteristics of HAIs
For HAIs, the infection must occur:
1.Upto 48 hours after hospital admission
2.Upto 3 days after discharge
3.Upto 30 days after an surgical operation

35. Rise in HAIs as a result of four factors
1.Crowded hospital conditions
2.New microorganism
3.Increasing number of people with
compromised immune system
4.Increasing bacterial resistance ( AMR)

36. Common examples of nosocomial
infections include:
1.Surgical Site Infections
2.Urinary Tract Infections
3.Central Line-Associated Bloodstream
Infections:
4.Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia
5.Clostridium difficile Infection

37. Common examples of nosocomial
infections include: continue…
6. Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) Infections
7. Bloodstream Infections
8. Gastrointestinal Infections
9. Skin and Soft Tissue Infections
10.Respiratory Infections

39. Impact of nosocomial infection
1. Increased Patient Morbidity and Mortality
2. Financial Burden
3. Antibiotic Resistance
4. Strain (Scarcity) on Healthcare Resources
5. Impact on Healthcare Quality

40. Impact of nosocomial infection continue..
6. Long-Term Health Effects
7. Patient Anxiety and Stress
8. Increased Hospital Readmissions
9. Impact on Healthcare Workers
10.Legal and Ethical Concerns

41. Role of nurses in prevention of
Nosocomial infection
Hand Hygiene
Nurses should adhere to proper hand hygiene
protocols, including washing hands with soap
and water or using hand sanitizer, to reduce the
transmission of pathogens.

42. Role of nurses in prevention of
Nosocomial infection continue..
• Infection Control Measures
- implement and monitor infection control
measures.

43. Role of nurses in prevention of
Nosocomial infection continue..
• Patient Education
- educate patients and their families on infection
prevention, including proper hand washing,
respiratory hygiene, and the importance of
vaccinations.

44. Role of nurses in prevention of
Nosocomial infection continue..
• Surveillance and reporting
- actively monitor patients for signs of infection
and promptly report any unusual occurrences to
the healthcare team.

45. Role of nurses in prevention of
Nosocomial infection continue..
• Personal Protective Equipment
-use of PPE, such as gloves, masks, gowns, and
goggles, when necessary to protect themselves
and patients from infection.

46. Role of nurses in prevention of
Nosocomial infection continue..
• Proper Catheter Care
- ensure the correct insertion, maintenance, and
removal of catheters to minimize the risk of
urinary tract infections.

47. Role of nurses in prevention of
Nosocomial infection continue..
• Medication Administration
-follow sterile techniques when administering
medications and intravenous therapies.

48. Role of nurses in prevention of
Nosocomial infection continue..
• Environmental Control
-maintain a clean and hygienic patient environment

49. Role of nurses in prevention of
Nosocomial infection continue..
• Vaccination
- encourage and administer vaccinations to
patients to prevent vaccine-preventable
infections.

50. Role of nurses in prevention of
Nosocomial infection continue..
• Antibiotic Stewardship
-promoting responsible antibiotic use to prevent
the development of antibiotic-resistant
infections.

51. Role of nurses in prevention of
Nosocomial infection continue..
• Compliance with Protocols
-Following hospital and department-specific
infection control policies and protocols