Essential Infection Control for Healthcare Settings

Infection Control Principles

The Chain of Infection

Entry Points

• Cracks or holes in containers
• Jar with tube union (e.g., IV fluids)
• Stopcocks
• Catheter manipulation
• Patient's own skin at the insertion site

Sources of Infection

• Infected staff or visitors entering clinical areas
• Lack of necessary isolation measures
• Contaminated objects
• Improperly cleaned medical supplies
• Inadequate hand hygiene

Transmission Mechanisms

• Hands: Wash them before and after patient contact.
• Wearing masks when indicated.
• Avoiding shaking linens.
• Wet cleaning with a cloth (rather than dry dusting).
• Prohibiting eating and drinking in high-risk units.

Susceptible Host Factors

• Improve the nutritional state of the person.
• Maintain aseptic care in all surgical and invasive techniques.
• Immunize staff and patients (e.g., vaccinations).
• Implement isolation for susceptible individuals.
• Educate injured or assisted patients on infection prevention.

Preventing Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs)

Common Infection Sites & Prevention

Respiratory Tract Infections (Bronchitis, Pneumonitis)

Risk Factors:

• Accumulation of secretions
• Use of suction assistance or anesthesia
• Antibiotic use
• Bronchoscopy or tracheostomy procedures

Preventive Measures:

• Prompt removal of catheters (e.g., endotracheal tubes)
• Use of single-use equipment
• Hand hygiene
• Using sterile water in humidifiers
• Preventing aspiration of vomitus

Urinary Tract Infections

Risk Factors:

• Prolonged catheterization

Preventive Measures:

• Minimize duration of catheterization.
• Use closed catheterization systems.
• Wear gloves.
• Perform hand hygiene.
• Use sterile materials.
• Ensure the drainage bag is always kept below the level of the bladder.

Surgical Site Infections

Risk Factors:

• Operating room contamination
• Improper antiseptic use
• Material not properly sterilized

Preventive Measures:

• Treat the uninfected area with antiseptic wash.
• Shaving should be done no more than 1 hour before surgery (if necessary).

Sepsis Prevention

Risk Factors:

• Points of attachment for intravenous or urinary catheters

Preventive Measures:

• Minimize the number of catheters.
• Monitor for inflammatory signs.
• Perform hand hygiene.
• Apply appropriate dressings.
• Use sterile gloves when indicated.

Isolation Precautions

Airborne Precautions

For diseases like measles, chickenpox, herpes zoster, tuberculosis, and SARS.

• Maintain negative pressure rooms.
• Keep doors closed.
• Utilize high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters.

Droplet Precautions

For conditions such as pharyngitis, pneumonia, influenza, meningitis, parotitis (mumps), and pertussis.

• Wear a surgical mask.

Contact Precautions

For cases involving wound drainage, bacterial infections, or Ebola hemorrhagic fever.

• Wear gloves.
• Wear a gown.
• Perform antiseptic handwashing.
• Use dedicated or disposable equipment.

Hand Hygiene and Glove Use

Sterile Gloves: When to Use

• Surgical procedures
• Insertion of central venous and arterial catheters
• Procedures on immunocompromised patients
• Bladder catheterization
• Pleural or peritoneal procedures
• Vaginal examinations

Single-Use Gloves: When to Use

• Handling wounds
• Contact with blood or bodily fluids
• Touching contaminated objects
• Aspiration of secretions
• Insertion of peripheral catheters
• Blood extraction

Antiseptic Handwashing

Recommended agents: Chlorhexidine and Povidone-iodine.

• Before invasive procedures.
• Before and after catheterization.
• Before and after touching infected patients.
• Before and after touching immunocompromised patients.