2.1 Introduction
Infections have become a major health and safety issue for health care workers and clients. People who are older or have chronic health issues are even more at risk for infections due to their altered and weakened immune systems. As members of the health care team, Health Care Assistants (HCAs) need to know the most current health and safety issues and know how to follow the guidelines and policies to prevent the transmission of these infectious agents. It is important for you, the HCA, to understand how infections are spread and why infection control guidelines and policies are in place — to protect your clients and you! Proper hand hygiene is the best way to prevent the spread of infection.
In health care, the use of effective and safe infection prevention and control practices is everyone’s responsibility. Infection prevention and control guidelines are mandated in all health care settings to protect patients and clients, health care personnel, and families from transmitting organisms that cause infections. This unit will review the principles of infection prevention and control practices, medical asepsis, and the use of additional precautions and personal protective equipment to control and prevent the spread of infection in health care settings.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this unit, the successful student will be able to:
- Define and describe infection prevention and control practices.
- Identify five ways microorganisms are spread — called “modes of transmission.”
- Describe the need for safety and protection from microorganisms, including antibiotic-resistant organisms.
- Identify the Health Care Assistant’s role in reducing or preventing the spread of microorganisms when providing personal care and assistance.
- Explain the use of routine practices/standard precautions and additional precautions.
- Demonstrate the correct hand hygiene technique using principles of medical asepsis.
- Demonstrate gloving and ungloving according to the correct procedure.
- Identify when additional precautions are used.
Terms to Know
- Alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR)
- Antibiotic-resistant organisms (ARO)
- Asepsis
- Bacteria
- Fungus
- Health care associated infections (HAIs)
- Infection
- Infection prevention and control (IPAC)
- Medical asepsis
- Microorganisms
- Pathogens
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Point-of-care-risk assessment (PCRA)
- Routine practices
- Virus
A liquid, foam, or gel formation of an alcohol-based solution used to reduce the number of microorganisms on the hands when the hands are not visibly soiled. A form of hand hygiene.
Microorganisms that have developed resistance to many antibiotic agents.
The practice of minimizing or eliminating the presence of infectious material. Medical asepsis includes the procedures to reduce the number of microorganisms and prevent their spread. Surgical asepsis (or sterilization) includes the procedures to eliminate all microbial life.
Single-cell microorganisms that are typically a few micrometres in length and have several shapes, ranging from spheres to rods and spirals. Bacteria are present in most habitats, including soil and water. In the human body, bacteria outnumber human cells ten to one. The majority of them do not make us sick; in fact, our bodies give them a place to live, and many of them keep us alive.
A member of a large group of organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts, moulds, mushrooms. Many fungi (mainly yeasts and moulds) live in our environment and on our bodies. Most of the organisms don’t cause illness unless they can invade areas where they are not normally found, such as in the lungs or under the skin.
Infections that develop as a result of contact with a pathogen in the health care setting or from a health care worker, that was not present at the time of admission. Also known as a nosocomial infection.
The invasion of the body tissues by pathogens, allowing them to multiply and cause a reaction of the immune system to their presence of the toxins they produce.
Evidence-based procedures and practices that, when used consistently in a health care setting, can prevent and reduce disease transmission, eliminate sources of potential infections, and prevent the transfer of pathogens from one person to another.
The procedures to reduce the number of microorganisms and prevent their spread. Also known as clean technique.
Microscopic, sometimes single-cell organisms including bacteria, fungi and viruses. A small proportion are pathogenic, meaning they can cause disease.
A microorganism, such as a virus, bacterium, or fungus, that can cause disease.
Clothing or equipment worn to protect against hazards.
Part of routine practice should be conducted by a health care provider before every client interaction to assess the likelihood of exposing themselves and others to infectious agents. This assessment informs the selection of appropriate actions and additional personal protective equipment to minimize the risk of exposure to infection.
A system of prevention and control practices recommended by the Public Agency of Canada to be used for all patients/residents/clients during all care to prevent and control all transmission of microorganisms in all health care settings.
Infectious agents that reproduce inside the living cells of other organisms. They are unable to reproduce on their own but require the mechanisms of living cells to do so. Examples are influenza or COVID-19 in humans.
