Infection Prevention and Control

When a pathogen enters the body and reproduces, it can cause an infection, damage body cells, and cause illness symptoms that eventually lead to disease. …

Stages of infection describe what happens to a susceptible host once a pathogen invades the human body. The stages of infection are incubation, prodromal, …

Natural flora, body system defenses, and inflammation are natural barriers of the body against infectious agents regardless of previous exposure. Normal …

The inflammatory response is the body's defense against infection, injury, or irritation from bacteria, trauma, toxins, or heat. Inflammation helps …

The immune system's inflammatory response destroys the invading pathogen, permitting the tissue to heal. The changes during the cellular and vascular …

The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against …

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) occur in a healthcare facility while a person receives care for another ailment. This category also includes …

Essential infection prevention measures are based on the knowledge of the infection chain, the modes of transmission in healthcare settings, and the use …

The condition of being free from disease-causing living pathogens is asepsis. Aseptic techniques include a set of standard practices to achieve asepsis. …

Asepsis is the practice of preventing or breaking the chain of infection. The nurse employs aseptic techniques to prevent the spread of microorganisms and …

Handwashing is hand hygiene with plain or antimicrobial soap and water to physically remove dirt, organic material, and microorganisms. However, it may …

The pre-procedure steps of handwashing include removing jewelry and rolling up sleeves. However, many organizations allow staff to wear wedding rings. The …

To wash hands properly, follow these steps: Wet the hands. Use enough soap to cover all surfaces of the hands. Rub both hands palm to palm. Rub the …

Cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization are the methods that help to break the infection chain and prevent disease. Cleaning The cleaning process …

As used in a healthcare facility, sterilization destroys all microorganisms through physical or chemical methods. The physical method includes steam, dry …

In healthcare, the chemical method of sterilization uses chemical sterilants to treat surgical instruments and medical supplies to help prevent the …

Standard precautions are the minimum infection control safeguards used while caring for all patients, irrespective of their disease condition. They help …

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is unique clothing or equipment worn by an employee to minimize or prevent exposure to infectious agents. PPE creates …

Donning PPE must be completed before contact with the patient. This process protects from infectious agents. The sequence and action included in each …

The sequence of removing or doffing PPE starts with the gloves, as they are the most contaminated. Next is removal of the face shield or goggles, as they …

Transmission-based precautions are for patients known to be infected or suspected to be infected or colonized with organisms that pose a significant risk …

Transmission-based precautions are for patients infected or suspected to be infected (or colonized) with organisms posing a significant risk to others. …