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Fundamental lab

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17 views

Fundamental lab

Yoirct

Uploaded by

sarmadahmad2055
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Fundamental of nursing theory Dler Akrey

Asepsis and Infection Control

Asepsis and infection control are critical components in healthcare settings aimed at preventing infections and
protecting patient safety. Understanding the principles of asepsis and the methods of infection control is
essential for healthcare professionals.
Definition of Asepsis
Asepsis refers to the state of being free from disease-causing contaminants, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and
parasites. It encompasses practices designed to minimize or eliminate these microorganisms in various settings,
particularly during medical procedures

There are two primary types of asepsis:


Medical Asepsis: This is often referred to as "clean technique," which aims to reduce the number of
microorganisms and prevent their transmission. It includes practices like hand hygiene, use of clean gloves, and
environmental controls

Surgical Asepsis: Also known as "sterile technique," this practice seeks to destroy all microorganisms in specific
areas (e.g., during surgeries). It involves using sterile instruments and maintaining a sterile field

Infection Control Practices


Infection control practices are essential for preventing the spread of infections within healthcare facilities. These
practices include:
Hand Hygiene: The most effective method for preventing infections. Healthcare workers must wash their hands
thoroughly with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers at appropriate times

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Use of gloves, masks, gowns, and eye protection to create barriers
against pathogens during patient care

Environmental Controls: Regular cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces and equipment to minimize
contamination risks
Transmission-Based Precautions: Additional precautions based on the route of transmission for specific
infections (e.g., airborne, droplet, or contact precautions) to further reduce infection risk

The Chain of Infection


Understanding the chain of infection is crucial for breaking the cycle of infection transmission.
The chain consists of six links:
Infectious Agent: Pathogens that can cause disease.
Reservoir: The natural habitat where pathogens live (e.g., humans, animals).
Portal of Exit: The path by which a pathogen leaves its host (e.g., respiratory tract).
Mode of Transmission: How pathogens spread (e.g., direct contact, airborne).
Portal of Entry: The way pathogens enter a new host (e.g., mucous membranes).
Susceptible Host: An individual who is at risk of infection due to weakened defenses.

Breaking any link in this chain can prevent the spread of infection

Importance of Asepsis and Infection Control


The implementation of aseptic techniques and rigorous infection control measures is vital for:
Reducing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), such as surgical site infections and catheter-associated urinary
tract infections (CAUTIs)

 Protecting vulnerable populations, including those undergoing surgery or with compromised immune
systems.
 Ensuring a safe environment for both patients and healthcare providers by minimizing the risk of
pathogen transmission
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Fundamental of nursing theory Dler Akrey

Stages of infection
Contamination: refers to the presence of harmful microorganisms (like bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites) in a
non-sterile environment, surface, or substance (such as food, water, air, or a wound).
Colonization: occurs when microorganisms establish themselves on the body’s surfaces, such as the skin,
mucous membranes, or gastrointestinal tract, without causing harm or infection.
Local infection: is confined to a specific area or tissue in the body where the pathogen has entered and caused
damage.
Spreading infection: occurs when the pathogen moves from the site of the initial infection to surrounding
tissues or areas of the body.
Systemic infection: occurs when the pathogen has spread throughout the body, affecting multiple organs or
systems.

There are also acute and chronic infections


Acute infections generally appear suddenly or last a short time
Chronic infection may occur slowly, over a very long period, and may last months or years.

Infections of the Bloodstream and Healthcare Settings


Bacteremia: Bacteremia refers to the presence of bacteria in the bloodstream.
Septicemia: Septicemia is a severe, life-threatening infection that occurs when bacteria (or their toxins) enter
the bloodstream and cause a systemic inflammatory response.
Nosocomial infections: Nosocomial infections are infections that are acquired in a healthcare setting, such as a
hospital, nursing home, or outpatient clinic, and typically do not appear during the patient’s initial admission.

Kinds of nosocomial Infections

 Urinary Tract
 Surgical Sites
 Bloodstream
 Pneumonia
 Surgical Sites
Terminology related to infection control

Antiseptic: a substance used to destroy pathogens on living objects such as skin and mucous membrane.
Disinfectant: a substance used to destroy pathogens but not necessarily their spores, in general not intended
for use on persons.
Sterilization: a process by which all microorganisms including spores are destroy
Asepsis Technique: includes all activities to prevent or break the chain of infection
Body Defenses Against Infection

A. Nonspecific Defenses

Nonspecific body defenses include anatomic and physiological barriers, and the inflammatory response

1. Anatomic and Physiological Barriers: Intact skin and mucous membranes are the body’s first line of
defense against microorganisms. Unless the skin and mucosa become broken, they are an effective
barrier against bacteria. Fungi can live on the skin, but they cannot penetrate it.
2. Inflammatory Response Inflammation is a local and nonspecific defensive response of the tissues to an
injurious or infectious agent

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Fundamental of nursing theory Dler Akrey
B. Specific Defenses: Specific defenses of the body involve the immune system

Factors Increasing Susceptibility to Infection

1. Age
2. Heredity
3. Level of stress,
4. Nutritional status
5. Current medical therapy,
6. Preexisting disease processes.

Inflammation

Inflammation is a response of a tissue to injury, often injury caused by invading pathogens, It is


characterized by: Increased blood flow to the tissue
 Increased temperature
 Redness
 Swelling
 Pain

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