UNIT - 10

INFECTION CONTROL MEASURES

Prepared by
- Richa Shrestha
- PBBN 2nd yr
- 9th batch
- Charak Academy
 Introduction

• Infection is the growth of a microorganism such as

virus, parasite, fungus, bacteria in the human body.
• Infection can cause the person to become sick.
• Spread of infection in hospitals and health facilities is
a serious problem which affects the well being of
patients and health care workers alike.
• A breach in infection control practices faciliates
transmission of infection between patients, healthcare
workers , attendants and visitors.
 Definition

• Infection prevention means decontamination ans

clean technique which includes the procedures used
to reduce the numbers of microorganisms and prevent
their spread from one place to another.
 Contd
• Since healthworkers work in the environment where
pathogens are always present , they must take a
precaution to protect themselves and their patients
and visitors.
• Patient can be infected by communicable diseases
because their immunity isn’t storing .
• All the health workers should remember how to
prevent infection.
 Terminologies

• Asepsis
It is the process by which the environment of the
patient is protected from contact with infective
organisms.
Absence of disease producing microorganisms or free
from infection.
The two types of aseptic techniques the nurse usually
practice are medical and surgical asepsis.
 Aseptic technique

• These are general terms used in health care settings to

describe the combination of efforts made to prevent
the entry of microorganism into any area of the body
where they are likely to cause infection.
 Sepsis
• It is the infection of the
body by pus forming
bacteria.
 Antisepsis

• It is the prevention of infection by killing or

inhibiting microorganism on skin and other body
tissue by using a chemical agent.
 Antiseptic

• Antiseptic is a substance that tends to inhibit the

growth and reproduction of microorganism.
 Cleaning

• It is the process that physically removes all visible

blood , body fluids or any other foreign materials.
 Disinfectant

• It is a germicidal chemical substances used on

inanimate objects to kill pathogenic microorganisms
but not necessary all others.
 Disinfection

• Is the process that eliminates most but not all disease

causing organism.
• High level disinfection (HLD) by boiling or the use
of chemical eliminates all microorganisms but except
bacterial endospores.
 Decontamination
• It is the process that makes objects safer to be
handled by the staff , especially cleaning personnel ,
before cleaning such objects include large surface.
• Eg :- operation table, surgical instrument and gloves
contaminated with blood or body fluids during or
following surgical procedure.
 Sterilization

• It is the process that

eliminates all
microorganisms
including bacterial
endospores.
 Infection

• It is the invasion of the body by pathogens .

• eg:- microorganisms that reproduce in multiple and
cause disease.
• Local infection - It is limited to the specific part of
the body where the microorganism remain.

• Systemic infection - If the microorganism spread and

damage different parts of body, it is called systemic
infection.
• Bacteremia - When a
culture of the person’s
blood reveal
microorganism, it is
called bacteremia.

• Septicemia - When
bacteremia results in
systemic infection, it is
called septicemia.
• Acute infection- Generally appears suddenly or lasts
for a short time. Eg:- common cold , flu

• Chronic infection – May occur slowly over a very

long period and may last for months or years. Eg:-
cardiovascular diseases.
 Nosocomial Infection

Is also known as hospital acquired infection.

• These are infections that are associated with delivery
of the health care services in health care facility.
• Nosocomial organisms may also be acquired by
health personnel working in the facility.
• Eg:- Hepatitis b infection, HIV infection etc.
 Inflammation

• Is a local and non-

specific defensive
response of the
tissues to injury or
infection.
• It is characterized
by 5 signs.
• Bactericidal – A chemical is bactericidal if kills
microorganism.

• Bacteriostic – It is an agent that prevents bacterial

multiplication but doesn’t kill any forms of
microorganisms.
 References

• Rekha timalsina , Janaki dhami , Essential textbook of

fundamental of nursing, samiksha publication pvt.ltd ,
3rd edition 2019, pg-119 to 123.
• Sumita pathak , Rama devkota , A textbook of
fundamentals of nursing, vidyarthi pustak bhandar ,
revised edition 2015, pg-342 to 345.
• Merina giri , Pratima sharma , Essential fundamentals
of nursing, medhavi publication, 1 st edition 2013, pg-
267 to 269.
• www.wikipedia.com