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 healthcare, the use of effective and safe infection prevention and control practices is everyone’s responsibility. Infection prevention and control guidelines are mandated in hospitals to protect patients, healthcare personnel, and families from the transmission of organisms that cause infections. This chapter 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 acute healthcare 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 micro-organisms are spread — called “modes of transmission.”
- Describe the need for safety and protection from micro-organisms, including Methicillin Resistant Organisms (MRO’s).
- Identify the Health Care Assistants role in reducing or preventing the spread of micro-organisms when providing personal care and assistance.
- Explain the use of “Standard Precautions/Routine Practices” 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
- Asepsis
- Medical asepsis
- Micro-organisms
- Bacteria
- Virus
- Fungus
- Pathogens
- Infection
- Infection prevention and control (IPAC)
- Healthcare associated infections (HAIs)
- Antibiotic-resistant organisms (ARO)
- Routine Practices
- Point-of-care-risk assessment (PCRA)
- Alcohol-Based Hand Rub (ABHR)
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
The absence of infectious material (microorganisms) or infection.
(also known as clean technique): Includes procedures used for reducing the number of microorganisms and preventing their spread.
Microscopic, sometimes single cell organisms including bacteria, fungus and viruses. A small proportion are pathogenic (i.e. can cause disease).
Bacteria are single cell micro-organisms. They are typically a few micrometres in length and have a number of shapes, ranging from spheres to rods and spirals. Bacteria are present in most of its habitats including soil and water. In the human body bacteria out number human cells ten to one. The majority of them do not make us sick – in fact, we give them a place to live and many of them keep us alive.
Are 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. Example is influenza or COVID in humans.
A fungus is a member of a large group of organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and moulds as well as the more familiar mushrooms. Many fungi (mostly yeasts and moulds) live in our environment and on our bodies. Again most of the organisms don’t cause illness unless they are able to invade areas where they are not normally found (e.g. in the lungs or under the skin).
a micro-organism such as a virus, bacterium, or fungus, that can cause disease.
Infection is 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.
An infection that develops 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.
Microorganisms that have developed resistance to the action of various antibiotic agents. Common AROs are Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE).
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.
Part of routine practice which should be conducted before every client interaction by a healthcare worker to assess the likelihood of exposing themselves and/or others to infectious agents. This assessment informs the selection of appropriate actions and additional Person Protective Equipment to minimize the risk of exposure to infection.
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.
Clothing or equipment worn to protect against hazards.
