Slideshow for CNA

1. Prevention and Risks
of
Infectious Diseases
Presentation by
- Paige Meadows
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2. Contents
Shift of Healthcare
Role of the CNA in Infection Prevention
Most Common Infections in the Elderly
Urinary Tract Infections
Respiratory Tract Infections
Skin Infections
Gastro Infections
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3. The Shift of Healthcare
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4. The Focus of healthcare is shifting from the treatment
of diseases, to disease prevention.
The burden disease has on the economy is reduced, while the individuals
length and quality of life is increased. (1)
Prevention policies, rather than disease treatments, are far more cost effective and
can reduce healthcare costs overall. (2)
A study showed that the cost of treating hospital acquired infections was
ten billion dollars a year.
To treat a single UTI in a nursing home, the cost is 600$. It is increased to 2800$ should
the infection become septic.
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5. Infection Control
and
The CNA
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6. CNA's have the most contact with residents. They are
the eyes of the nursing staff.
It is easy for a CNA to carry bacteria from room to room without realizing it.
It is imperative that the CNA maintain good hygeine to prevent spreading infection.
Because the CNA has the most interaction with the patients, they should
be watching for signs of common infections in their patients.
If a CNA suspects anything is wrong with a patient, they should immediately
report it to the nurse.
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7. Common Infections
in
The Elderly
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8. Infections acquired within healthcare facilities are known
as “Nosocomial Infections”
Urinary Tract Infections
Influenza
Pneumonia
Gastroenteritis/Clostridium Difficile
MRSA/CRE
Scabies
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9. Urinary Tract Infections
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10. Urinary tract infections are the most common types
of infections in nursing homes
UTI's can lead to bacteremia, which is much harder to treat. (3)
Risk is increased with residents who have catheters, especially with the use of leg bags.
Signs of a UTI can include dysuria, fever, hematuria, suprapubic pain, and
an increase in frequency. Some patients may also become confused, and show
an altered mental status.
UTI's can be prevented by keeping patients hydrated, wiping from front to back in females,
change briefs regularly, and proper catheter care. (6)
Bacteremia provides a means for local infections to
travel to distant organs
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11. Respiratory Tract Infections
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12. Because elderly patients have weakened immune systems,
respiratory tract infections are common in nursing homes.
Pneumonia and the flu are the most common types of respiratory infections. (5)
Pneumonia is the leading cause of mortality in long term care patients, and the
common flu is also dangerous for the elderly.
Because the flu is very contagious, it can easily spread around a small nursing home.
Because the elderly cannot clear bacteria from their lungs as easily as they used to,
pneumonia occurs more often. Patients who have COPD, feeding tubes, and poor oral
health are also at an increased risk for catching pneumonia.
Some signs of pneumonia may be fever, and many have an increased cough. They may
also show an altered mental status, and an increase in breathing.
Signs of influenza include fever, chills, headache, and a cough. The mortality rate
in nursing homes for the flu is estimated to be around 10%.
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13. Preventing Respiratory Infections
It is important that healthcare professionals wash their hands thoroughly
when dealing with patients that may have the flu or pneumonia. (6)
Elevating the patients head will allow them to breath better, and make it easier for
them to cough up bacteria, as well as decreasing the risk of aspiration. This should always
be done in bedridden patients after eating, including after a tube feeding.
Vaccinations have been proven to be effective in preventing the flu in the elderly. (6)
It is recommended that staff also get vaccinated.
Because weight problems can also lead to breathing issues, encourage patients
to eat healthy to help maintain a healthy weight.
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14. X-Ray of an Obese Patient
Vs.
Patient With a Healthy Weight
Weight can lead to breathing problems,
especially in elderly patients.
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15. Skin Infections
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16. Elderly patients are not very mobile, so pressure ulcers
are a serious issue in nursing homes
Pressure ulcers occur in roughly 20% of patients, and these can easily become
infected. They can also increase the risk of mortality. (6)
Should an ulcer get infected, the infection can run very deep, some going all
the way to the bone. These require a lot of attention, and take a long time
to heal completely.
Pressure ulcers are easily preventable. Repositioning a patient every two hours
is effective, as well as skin barrier creams. Good diet and nutrition will make it
less likely for an ulcer to form. A sore can form in several hours, but takes several
weeks, or months, to treat.
The CNA should watch out for signs of breakdown on all residents, especially those that
cannot get out of bed. This can be redness, open sores, and pain in a specific spot. If a
CNA notices any signs of breakdown, they should immediately report it to the nurse.
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17. Progression of a pressure ulcer, and a stage 3 ulcer.
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18. Gastro Infections
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19. Infections of the gastric tract can be disabling in the elderly
Gastroenteritis is the most common gastro infection in nursing homes, as well as C. Diff. (6)
Both of these can be recognized by frequent diarrhea, that is more than the patient
normally has.
Vomitting is also a symptom of gastroenteritis.
These can be viral, and spread very quickly around a facility, and sometimes lead
to the resident being transfered to a hospital.
It is important for workers to remember to always wash their hands before and after
dealing with these patients.
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20. References
http://www.frost.com/prod/servlet/press-release.pag?docid=272751750
http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/initiatives/prevention/strategy/appendix1.pdf
http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/667743
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2754265/
http://www.cdc.gov/HAI/settings/ltc_settings.html
http://www.thedoctorwillseeyounow.com/content/infections/art2748.html?getPage=2
http://www.spinal-injury.net/spinal-injury-network/images/progression-pressure-sore.jpg
http://dccdn.de/pictures.doccheck.com/photos/8/a/8b9a1d3682f077237da62dc154764efa_m.jpg
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21. Remember to wash your hands...
Any Questions?
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