This document provides information on infection prevention and control. It defines key terms like infection, pathogens, and the chain of infection. The chain of infection describes the six elements required for disease transmission: infectious agent, reservoir, exit portal, entry portal, transmission route, and susceptible host. Standard precautions like hand hygiene, personal protective equipment, and cleaning are discussed as the basic methods to break the chain of infection. Proper hand washing, use of gloves and gowns, cleaning and disinfection of surfaces and equipment, and waste disposal are emphasized as important practices to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
2. Objectives
• Define Infection Prevention.
• Explain the key components of standard
Precautions for Infection Prevention.
• Explain the Principles of the Universal
Precaution for Infection Prevention.
• Describe the basic infection prevention
methods.
DCN 2023
3. DCN 2023
Infection control
• Goal of infection control is to prevent the
spread of infectious diseases
• Infectious disease is any disease caused
by the growth of pathogens in the body
• Pathogens are disease-causing
microorganisms (germs)
• Infectious diseases can cause unnecessary
pain, suffering and death
4. DCN 2023
Maintain a safe environment
• Follow specific polices and procedures
designed to reduce risk of transferring
infectious diseases
• Prevent pathogens from being transmitted:
– Patient to client, staff to client, client to
staff, staff to staff
– Improperly cleaned instruments and
equipment
5. SCIENTIFIC
KNOWLEDGE BASE
• ENTRY AND MULTIPLICATION OF
ORGANISM RESULTS IN DISEASE
• COLONIZATION OCCURS WHEN A
MICROORGANISM INVADES THE
HOST BUT DOES NOT CAUSE
INFECTION (INJURY TO CELLS)
• PATIENT SAFETY ISSUE
DCN 2023
6. DCN 2023
Chain of infection
• Model of infectious disease transmission
• Six elements must be present for an
infection to develop
1. The infectious agent
2. Reservoir host
3. Portal of exit from the host
4. Route of transmission
5. Port of entry
6. Susceptible host
7. DCN 2023
Chain of infection
Infectious
agent
Reservoir
Host
Portal of
exit
Route of
transmission
Portal of
entry
Susceptible
host
12. Susceptible Host
• Susceptibility (Resistance to
infection)
• Factors which influence susceptible:
• Age
• Nutritional status
• Chronic disease history
• Trauma
• Smoking
DCN 2023
13. DCN 2023
Defense Mechanisms
• A number of defense mechanisms exist
outside and in the body to break the chain,
including decreasing the sources of
microorganisms; preventing the
transmission of microorganisms; and
maximizing the host’s resistance to the
microorganism
14. DCN 2023
Body’s natural defenses to
eliminate/kill pathogens
• Cilia - in respiratory tract, catch and move
pathogens out of the body
• Coughing/sneezing, to propel pathogens
outward
• Tears - contain chemicals to kill bacteria
• Hydrochloric acid in stomach
• Rise in body temperature (fever)
• Leukocyte (white blood cell) production
increases, to destroy pathogens
15. DCN 2023
Prevention: Medical Asepsis
• Medical asepsis (clean technique):
procedures to decrease the number and
spread of pathogens
• Hand washing, good personal hygiene,
cleaning rooms between patient use,
proper disposal of gloves after contact
with body fluids or contaminated objects
16. DCN 2023
Prevention: Surgical Asepsis
• Surgical asepsis (sterile technique):
procedures that completely eliminate the
presence of pathogens from objects and
areas
– Sterile caps, gowns, masks, and gloves
– Sterilizing instruments
– Maintaining sterile fields
– Changing dressing
– Disposing of contaminated materials
17. DCN 2023
Breaking chain of infection
• Most important concept: breaking at least
one link stops the infectious disease
• Chain of infection summarized into 3
components:
1. Source of infecting microorganisms (1 & 2)
2. Means of transmission for the micro-
organisms (3, 4 & 5)
3. Susceptible host (6)
18. DCN 2023
Breaking chain of infection
Best defenses:
1. Decrease the sources of infecting
microorganisms (1 & 2)
2. Prevent means of transmission for the
micro-organisms (3, 4 & 5)
3. Maximize the resistance of the host (6)
19. DCN 2023
1. Methods to decrease the
source of microorganisms
• Perform proper hand washing
• Decontaminate surfaces and equipment
with antiseptics, disinfectants and
sterilization procedures
• Avoid contact with patients and others
when harboring infectious microorganisms
20. DCN 2023
2.Preventing transmission
of microorganisms
• Wear PPE – personal protective equipment:
caps, gloves, gowns masks, booties and eye
protection
• Follow isolation procedures when indicated
• Take additional precautions when working
with patients who have highly contagious
diseases. Don’t ignore posted signs.
21. DCN 2023
3. Maintaining resistance
• Provide and practice good hygiene
• Ensure proper nutrition and fluid intake
• Get enough rest
• Decrease stressors – physical and
psychosocial - that weaken the immune
response
• What can you do in your life to increase
resistance to disease-causing pathogens?
22. DCN 2023
Standard Precautions
• Developed by the CDC
• Follow at all times and apply to every
patient
• To prevent contact with potentially
infectious body fluids: blood, secretions,
excretions, non-intact skin and mucous
membranes
23. There are 10 elements to
Standard Precautions
Hand hygiene
Masks and Eye
protection
Environment
Clinical Waste
Linen
Occupational Exposure
Patient care equipment
PPE
Spillages
Cough Etiquette
Isolating infectious
patients
DCN 2023
24. Basic Infection
Prevention Methods
1. Antisepsis
• Antisepsis is a process used to prevent
infection by killing or inhibiting the
growth of micro-organisms on skin and
other body tissues by cleaning surfaces
or patient’s skin with antiseptic
(bactericidal).
DCN 2023
25. Antisepsis cont’
• Antiseptic solutions kill many micro-
organisms found on the skin such as
bacteria and many viruses.
• Antiseptics are used for cervical or
vaginal cleaning (chlorhexidine or povidone-
iodine) and for preoperative skin cleaning
(e.g. chlorhexidine, iodine or spirit).
DCN 2023
26. NOTE
• Antiseptics do not have the same
killing power as chemicals used for
disinfection; so do not use
antiseptics to disinfect equipment
and supplies.
DCN 2023
27. Basic Infection
Prevention Methods
2. Hand Washing
• Hand washing with soap is one of the most
important infection prevention methods used to
minimize the spread of disease and maintain an
infection-free environment.
• Micro-organisms grow and multiply in standing
water.
• So you should have a soap rack to allow water to
drain away.
• Hand washing should be done for 10-15 seconds
before rinsing off the soap.
DCN 2023
29. How to Clean Hands
• Remove all wrist and hand jewelry.
• Cover cuts and abrasions with waterproof
dressings.
• Keep fingernails short, clean, and free
from nail polish.
DCN 2023
30. Wet hands, apply
soap. Palm to palm.
Right palm over left
dorsum and left palm
over right dorsum.
Palm to palm
fingers interlaced.
Backs of fingers to
opposing palms with
fingers interlocked.
Rotational rubbing of
right thumb clasped in
left palm and vice
versa.
Rotational rubbing,
backwards and forwards
with clasped fingers of right
hand in left palm and vice
versa.
DCN 2023
31. Alcohol Hand Gel
• Used as a compliment to handwashing not a
replacement
• Good for rapid disinfection of skin
• Can only be used on physically clean hands
• Suitable for use on ward rounds between
patients.
• Should only be used up to 5 times then
wash hands with soap and water
• Placed at every bed space within NHSGGC
DCN 2023
32. DCN 2023
Personal Protective Equipment
• Abbreviated PPE
• Includes gloves, masks, protective eyewear,
gowns, caps and shoes
• Use appropriate PPE in situations that could
cause infection to you or your client
• Use clean, non-sterile gloves when handling
blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions,
contaminated items, mucous membranes and
non-intact skin
33. Basic Infection Prevention
Methods cont’
3. Gloving
• (a)Indications when to wear gloves:
• As a precaution, gloves should be worn by all
prior to contact with blood and body fluids from
any client/patient.
• A separate pair of gloves must be used for each
client/patient to avoid cross-contamination.
• Using new, single-use (disposable) gloves is
preferable.
DCN 2023
34. GLOVING CONT’
• (b) Which gloves to use:
• Examination gloves are acceptable when
performing medical procedures such as
taking blood samples.
• Sterile gloves should be used when
performing invasive procedures, e.g.
inserting urinary catheter in the bladder.
DCN 2023
35. GLOVING CONT
• Clean, thick household (utility) gloves
are used for cleaning instruments,
equipment, and contaminated
surfaces.
NOTE: Do not use gloves which are
cracked, peeling or have defects
DCN 2023
36. DCN 2023
Gloves
• Change gloves between tasks/procedures on
the same client if there is contact with
material that may contain a high
concentration of microorganisms (ex: feces)
• Remove gloves promptly after use, before
touching non-contaminated items and
environmental surfaces and before taking
care of another patient
• After removing gloves, wash your hands
38. DCN 2023
Face Protection
• Face protection: Mask, Eye
Protection and Face Shield
• Hospital workers wear a mask and
eye protection or a face shield to
protect mucous membranes of the
eyes, nose and mouth during
procedures that could involve
splashes or sprays of blood, body
fluids, secretions or excretions.
39. DCN 2023
Gowns
• Gowns may be cloth or paper
– Cloth gowns are reusable
– Paper gowns are disposable
• Some clinical sites provide gowns to clients
for physical exams
• A clean, non-sterile gown protects skin and
prevents soiling clothing during procedures
that could involve splashes or sprays of blood,
body fluids, secretions or excretions.
• Follow the procedures on your clinical site(s)
40. DCN 2023
Removing a Gown
• Remove a soiled gown as promptly as possible
• Fold front of gown into itself, outside in
• Place cloth gowns in a closed receptacle
marked with the biohazard symbol to be
picked up, laundered and re-used
• Place paper gowns in a closed waste can in a
red plastic bag marked with the biohazard
symbol
• Wash hands promptly to avoid transferring
microorganisms
41. Put on Gown or Apron
D
C
1. Open the
gown without
it touching
any surfaces
such as floor
or wall
2. Ties
secured
at the
waist at
the
back
3. Thumb
hooks
(some
gowns)
over the
thumb
1. Bare below
elbows
2. Open the
apron without
it touching any
surfaces such
as floor or wall
3. Ties
secured
at the
waist at
the
back
Gowns & aprons come in different
shapes and colours.
Local supply and availability may
vary.
Note: the
tie for
both styles
is secured
at the back
42. Basic Infection Prevention
Methods cont’
• 4.Decontamination
• Decontamination is the process that makes
objects (equipment, instruments) safer to
handle for staff, BEFORE cleaning them.
Objects such as examination tables,
laboratory bench tops, sinks, delivery
beds, instruments and gloves contaminated
with blood or body fluids during or
following procedures must be
decontaminated before cleaning.
DCN 2023
43. Decontamination cont’
• The purpose of decontamination is to
protect staff who will handle items
which have been in contact with
blood and body fluids from getting
infectious diseases such as Hepatitis
B or HIV/AIDS.
DCN 2023
44. Preparing 0.5% chloride solution from bleach
(sodium hypochlorite)
A 0.5% chloride solution from (bleach) solution
is inexpensive and very effective for
decontaminating and disinfecting.
HIV and many bacteria and viruses are quickly
killed by chlorine. WHO recommends a 0.5%
chlorine dilution for all soiled equipment and
spills of blood and body fluids. Look on the
bottle of bleach used in your area or contact
the manufacturer to know the concentration of
chlorine.
DCN 2023
45. Preparing 0.5% chlorine solution from a pre-
made chlorine solution
Formula for determining the amount of the pre-
made solution and water is concentration of
chlorine in the pre-made solution, divided by the
desired concentration of chlorine for the
decontamination minus one.
For example: To make 0.5% chlorine solution
from bleach which contains 10% chlorine.
10%
0.5% - 1 = 20 – 1 = 19 (Number of parts
of water to one part of chlorine
DCN 2023
46. Procedure for
decontaminating surfaces
• For small blood and body fluid spills, flood
the spill with 0.5% chlorine solution before
cleaning.
• For large blood and body fluid spills, flood
the spill with 0.5% chlorine solution, and
wait for 10 minutes.
•
DCN 2023
47. Procedure for
decontaminating surfaces
cont’
• Mop up the solution and then clean as
usual with a detergent and water.
• Utility gloves must be used when
cleaning such surfaces
DCN 2023
48. Basic Infection
Prevention Methods cont
5. Cleaning
• Cleaning is an important step in providing
safe, infection-free equipment,
instruments and clinic facilities. A
thorough cleaning of equipment and
instruments with detergent and water
physically removes organic material such
as dust or oil.
DCN 2023
49. CLEANING CONT’
• Instruments should be thoroughly cleaned
with a brush in soapy water. Particular
attention should be paid to instruments
with teeth, joints or screws where organic
material can collect.
• After cleaning, instruments should be
thoroughly rinsed with water to remove
detergent residue which can interfere
with chemical disinfection.
DCN 2023
50. Procedure for decontamination and
Cleaning of Linen, Surgical Drapes and
Other Items
• STEP 1:Decontamination prior to washing is not necessary,
unless linen is heavily soiled and will be hand washed.
If heavily soiled pre-soak blood contaminated linen in
0.5% chlorine for 10 minutes to kill HBV and HIV. This will
minimize the risk to those staff responsible for hand
washing these items.
• STEP 2:After pre-soaking thoroughly, wash linen and
clothing with a detergent and hot water.
• STEP 3:Rinse thoroughly.
• STEP 4:Dry linen and clothing in the sun or machine dry. To
avoid recontamination, limit handling.
DCN 2023
51. • Wash cleaning cloths, brushes and mops in
soapy water daily or more frequently if visibly
dirty and rinse in clean water (mop heads
should be decontaminated soon after use,
followed by cleaning). Dry completely before
reuse.
• Drying mops and cloths in the sun is the best
because the sun’s ultraviolet rays can aid in
killing micro-organisms. (Wet cloths and mop
heads are heavily contaminated with micro-
organisms.)
• HBV and HIV are not transmitted by routine
household objects. Routine washing of dishes,
glasses and utensils in warm, soapy water is
sufficient. Routine laundering of personal
linen in hot water is sufficient.
DCN 2023
52. Procedure for Boiling
Instruments and Equipment
• STEP 1:Decontaminate and clean all
equipment and instruments to be
disinfected.
• STEP 2:Completely submerge pre-cleaned
objects in the water. Adjust the water
level so that there is at least 2.5 cm (1
inch) of water above the instruments.
Water must touch all surfaces to be
disinfected.
DCN 2023
53. Procedure for Boiling
Instruments and Equipment cont’
• STEP 3: Close lid over pan and bring water to a
full, rolling boil.
• STEP 4: Start timer or note time on clock and
record time rolling boil begins, No objects or
water should be added after timing starts.
• STEP 5: Lower heat to keep water at a rolling
boil (top vigorous boiling wastes fuel, evaporates
the water and may damage equipment.)
DCN 2023
54. Procedure for Boiling
Instruments and Equipment cont’
• STEP 6:Boil instruments for 20 minutes
starting from the time rolling boil begins.
• STEP 7:After boiling for 20 minutes,
remove the instruments with previously
HLD dry forceps/pickups and place in a
previously disinfected instrument tray
with cover. Never leave boiled
instruments in water which has stopped
boiling.
DCN 2023
55. DCN 2023
Client care equipment
• Handle used/soiled client care equipment to
prevent skin, mucous membranes and clothing
from exposure to blood, body fluids,
secretions and excretions which could be
transferred to other patients and
environments
• Reusable equipment must be properly cleaned
and reprocessed before being used on another
client
• Discard single-use items appropriately
56. DCN 2023
Environmental Control
• Follow procedures for the routine care,
cleaning and disinfection of environmental
surfaces, beds, bedside equipment, and other
frequently touched surfaces
• For used linen that is soiled with blood, body
fluids, secretions and excretions – fold with
soiled surface in, handle to prevent exposing
skin, mucous membranes and clothing which
could transfer microorganisms to other
environments, and place in designated
biohazardous medical waste receptacle
57. DCN 2023
Occupational Health and
Blood-Borne Pathogens
• Take care to prevent injuries when using and
cleaning/disposing of “sharps” - needles,
scalpels, and other sharp instruments
• Place used disposable syringes, needles and
scalpel blades in appropriate puncture-
resistant containers
• Containers should be located close by for
convenient disposal
• Placer reusable syringes and needles in a
puncture resistant container for transport to
be reprocessed (sterilized)
58. DCN 2023
Occupational Health and
Blood-Borne Pathogens
• Never recap used needles
• Follow facility policies on how to handle
contaminated needles
• If the facility allows recapping (for example,
drawing up from a multi-dose vial), use either
a one-handed “scoop” technique or a
mechanical device to hold the needle sheath
• Do not remove used needles from disposable
syringes by hand
• Do not bend, break or manipulate used needles
59. DCN 2023
Occupational Health and
Blood-Borne Pathogens
• Use mouthpieces, resuscitation
bags, or other ventilation devices
as an alternative to mouth-to-
mouth resuscitation methods.
• Keep these devices available in
areas where clients may need to be
resuscitated (ie, birth rooms)
60. DCN 2023
Environmental control
• Follow facility infection control procedures
for cleaning the environment, jacuzzi tubs,
etc.
• Use Transmission-Based Precautions:
– Airborne precautions
– Droplet precautions
– Contact precautions
61. DCN 2023
Airborne Precautions
• Airborne droplets or dust particles
containing infectious agents can remain
suspended in the air for long periods of time
• Air currents can blow them long distances
• Can be emitted during talking, sneezing,
coughing and whispering
• Examples: Mycobaterium tuberculosis,
Rubeola (measles) and Varicella (chicken pox)
62. PPE for Airborne Precautions
DCN 2023
Note the different mask for droplet and airborne
precautions: remember, how transmission or movement of
microorganisms occurs?
What differences can you spot between the two masks
(surgical and P2/N95 masks)?
P2/N95 masks come in
different shapes and
colours.
Local supply and availability
may vary.
63. DCN 2023
Droplet Precautions
• Propelled short distances through the air
• Deposited on host’s conjunctiva, nasal mucosa
or mouth
• Can be emitted during talking, sneezing,
coughing and during procedures like
suctioning and bronchoscopy
• Examples: streptococcal pharyngitis, mumps,
influenza, rubella, some some pneumonias,
meningitis and sepsis
64. DCN 2023
• Eye
protection
• Surgical
Mask
If prescription
glasses are worn,
eye protection
must fit over
glasses
Note: prescription glasses are not designed
to protect the wearer from exposure to
splash and fluid from blood and body
substances.
PPE for Droplet Precautions
• based on Risk Assessment choose either
65. DCN 2023
Contact Precautions
• Most important and frequent mode of
transmission for nosocomial infections
– Nosocomial = originates/takes place in
hospital or other health care facility
– Nosocomial infection = the client gets it as a
result of being in the health care facility
• Example: herpes (HSV), impetigo, scabies, some
gastrointestinal, respiratory, skin and wound
infections
• Direct-contact & Indirect-contact transmission
66. DCN 2023
Direct Contact
Transmission
• Occurs when touching
the infected client’s dry
skin during client care
activities like giving a
massage
• Can occur between two
clients: a source of the
infecting micro-
organism and a
susceptible host
Indirect contact
transmission
• Occurs when a
contaminated
object is touched.
• For example,
coming in contact
with needles,
instruments,
environmental
surfaces or client
care items.
67. PPE for Contact Precautions
DCN 2023
• Close contact
Apron +
Gloves
The minimum
requirement
when
providing care
(close
contact)
Gown +
Gloves
A gown may
be required if
expected to
provide close
and prolonged
care
or
68. DCN 2023
Sterilization
• Chemical agents and physical methods used to
destroy or inhibit growth of pathogens
• Bacteriostatic – inhibits growth
• Bacteriocidal/germicidal – kills microorganisms
• Antiseptics – bacteriostatic chemical agents,
mild enough to use on skin: 70% isopropyl
alcohol
• Disinfectants – destroy most bacteria and
viruses. Used for instruments that do not
penetrate the skin and for cleaning the
environment – floors, bathrooms, equipment
69. DCN 2023
Sterilization
• Agents/methods that totally destroy all
microorganisms including viruses and spores
• Include chemical agents, gas, radiation, dry or
moist heat under pressure
• Most common method used is the autoclave,
which sterilizes by steam created by a
pressurized heating system
• Small units used in a medical office; large units
used in hospitals
70. DCN 2023
Surgical Asepsis – Sterile
Technique
• Aseptic: free from pathogenic microorganisms
• Sterile Technique: refers to a group pf
principles and procedures designed to eliminate
pathogens
• Sterile field: an area designated as free from
microorganisms
• Example: a sterile towel placed on a clean, dry
surface – the towel becomes the sterile field
• Consider the field as a 3-dimensional area
71. DCN 2023
Maintaining a sterile field
• Field should be above the waist height
• Do not bring contaminants into the field
• Actions that contaminate the field: touching
it, allowing it to become wet, reaching across it,
talking or coughing directly over the surface
• Work to the side of the field
• Sterile gloves come in sealed packages that
must be opened at the edge of the sterile field
and placed onto the field
• See PSGM Skills Book to put on sterile gloves
72. DCN 2023
Blood borne diseases
• HBV and HIV: put health care workers at risk
• Transmitted by infected blood, mucous,
secretions, excretions, any moist body fluid
(except sweat)
• Routes of transmission:
– Parenteral – blood transfusion, needle
sharing, stick by needle or other sharp
instrument
– Mucous membranes – eye or mouth
– Sexual contact
– Perinatal – from infected mother to her baby
73. DCN 2023
HBV
• When infected with HBV, the liver becomes
inflamed and can be destroyed
• Symptoms range from mild to severe -jaundice
(yellowing of the eyes, skin, mucous
membranes), dark urine, extreme fatigue, loss
of appetite, nausea, abdominal pain, joint pain,
rash and fever
• Prevention: HBV vaccine, use of PPE, preventing
puncture injuries, disinfecting and sterilizing
equipment and environments
74. DCN 2023
HBV vaccine
• OSHA requires employers to provide the HBV
vaccine free for employees with exposure risk
• A series of 3 doses given over 6 months
• Induce protective antibody levels in 85 – 97%
of healthy adults
• Blood test can determine antibody levels
• An employee has the right to refuse the HBV
vaccine but must sign a form to release the
facility from responsibility if the health care
worker becomes infected
75. DCN 2023
HIV
• The Human Immunodeficiency virus that
causes AIDS
• HIV virus destroys cells in the host that are
vital to the immune system function
• Testing: tests for HIV antibodies
• Most infected people test positive within 6-12
weeks up to 6 months from exposure
• HIV positive = infected with the virus, can
transmit to others even if non-symptomatic
• AIDS = weakened immune system
76. DCN 2023
HBV& HIV: Relative risk
• Most health care workers are afraid of
getting HIV, but HIV is much harder to
catch than HBV
• The infection and death rate from HBV far
exceeds HIV
• Only 3-5 health care workers out of 1000
injured with a needle contaminated with
HIV will become infected
77. DCN 2023
Tuberculosis
• Airborne pathogen mycobacterium tuberculosis
primarily affects the lungs
• Working with TB clients requires using special
PPE, individually fitted masks, to avoid inhaling
tiny droplets which carry the disease
• Cases of TB have increased in recent years
• Medication must be taken for 6 months
• If clients don’t complete the course of
treatment, a drug-resistant strain can mutate
and re-infect the person
78. DCN 2023
Tuberculosis
• Screening for TB is a skin test
• Positive test result means the person has been
exposed to the disease
• A chest x-ray confirms active disease
• Signs and symptoms: lethargy, fever, night
sweats, cough, weight loss, coughing up blood-
tinged sputum, chest pain, and SOB.
• Patients hospitalized with suspected TB are put
in isolation for 2-3 weeks and begin antibiotic
treatment
79. DCN 2023
Reporting accidental
exposure
• Report any injury or accident involving exposure
to blood or body fluids immediately to your
clinical preceptor/supervisor
• Complete a written incident or injury report
• Reporting facilitates evaluation, appropriate
treatment and follow-up
• Failure to report can result in negative health
consequences and is in violation of Occupation
health safety policy requirements
80. PEP (Post Exposure
Prophylaxis)
• PEP refers to treatment of occupational
exposures using ARV drugs. If started
immediately after exposure to HIV
infection, HIV may be prevented (although
it may not be 100%).
• To maximize the benefits, treatment
should be initiated within 1 – 2 hours of
exposure, but should delays be
unpreventable, PEP can still be started up
to 72 hours after the exposure.
DCN 2023
82. • The victim must be encouraged to undergo
counseling and testing immediately or at
least within 72 hours of exposure. If
he/she is HIV positive, the PEP is not
necessary. He should just be further
assessed for eligibility for ART.
• For those who test negative for HIV, PEP
should continue for 30 days.
• A follow up HIV test should be done at 3
and 6 months. if it remains negative after
6 months, he/she should be counseled that
they were not infected.
DCN 2023
83. • The testing that was completed and the
treatment that was begun by the treating
physician at the affiliated hospital will
determine the follow up that needs to be
done by Health Services.
• The student is to obtain as much
information regarding the source patient
as possible. Including but not limited to:
reason for admission to the hospital, social
and medical history, HIV status, Hepatitis
B status (HBsAg) and Hepatitis C status
(Hep C Antibody).
DCN 2023
84. DCN 2023
SUMMARY
• How do antibiotics work?
• What is an opportunistic infection?
• Define: Aerobic, Anerobic, host, Symbiosis,
Neutralism and Parasitic
• Differentiate plant and animal microbes:
Bacteria, Viruses, Fungi, Rickettsia,
Protozoa
85. DCN 2023
SUMMARY
• Explain the chain of infection and how to break
it at each point
1. The infectious agent
2. Reservoir host
3. Portal of exit from the host
4. Route of transmission
5. Port of entry
6. Susceptible host
86. DCN 2023
SUMMARY
• What are the body’s natural defense
mechanisms?
• Explain the concept of a sterile field and how to
avoid contaminating it
• Describe standard precautions including
handwashing, gloving, PPE
• Explain the differences between antiseptics,
disinfectants and sterilization
87. DCN 2023
SUMMARY
• How is HIV transmitted? How is it NOT?
• What are the 3 major disease risks for health
care workers
• How do pathogens become drug-resistant?
• What is the role of government agencies: CDC,
OSHA
• Explain environmental control and transmission
precautions
