Classroom Notes: Fundamentals of Nursing - Week 3: Infection Control and Aseptic
Technique
1. Introduction to Infection Control
● Infection Control: A set of practices used to prevent the spread of infections in
healthcare settings.
● Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs): Infections acquired in hospitals or other
healthcare settings. Common types include urinary tract infections (UTIs), surgical
site infections (SSIs), respiratory infections, and bloodstream infections.
2. Chain of Infection
● Infectious Agent: Pathogen (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites).
● Reservoir: Place where pathogens live (human body, contaminated surfaces,
medical equipment).
● Portal of Exit: How the pathogen leaves the reservoir (e.g., saliva, blood, urine).
● Mode of Transmission: How the pathogen is transmitted (direct contact, airborne,
droplet, vector).
● Portal of Entry: How the pathogen enters the body (e.g., mucous membranes,
broken skin).
● Susceptible Host: Individual who is at risk of infection (immunocompromised
patients, elderly, infants).
3. Types of Transmission-Based Precautions
● Standard Precautions: Basic infection control practices to be used with all
patients (hand hygiene, personal protective equipment (PPE), respiratory
hygiene).
● Contact Precautions: Used for infections spread by direct or indirect contact (e.g.,
MRSA, C. diff). Requires gloves and gown.
● Droplet Precautions: Used for infections spread by large droplets (e.g., influenza,
pneumonia). Requires mask and eye protection.
● Airborne Precautions: Used for infections spread via small particles in the air
(e.g., tuberculosis, measles). Requires N95 mask, negative-pressure room.
4. Hand Hygiene
● Importance: The most effective way to prevent the spread of infection.
● When to Wash Hands:
○ Before and after patient contact.
○ After handling contaminated materials or surfaces.
○ After coughing, sneezing, or wiping the nose.
● Handwashing vs. Hand Sanitizer:
○ Handwashing with soap and water is preferred when hands are visibly
soiled.
○ Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are effective when hands are not visibly
dirty.
5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
● Gloves: Used to protect hands from contact with blood, body fluids, or
contaminated materials.
● Gowns: Protect clothing and skin from exposure to infectious materials.
● Masks: Protect the respiratory tract from airborne or droplet-transmitted
pathogens.
● Eye Protection: Protects from splashes, sprays, or respiratory droplets.
6. Aseptic Technique
● Aseptic Technique: Practices that prevent contamination of sterile objects and
areas.
● Sterile Field: A designated area free of microorganisms where sterile instruments
and materials are kept.
● Principles of Aseptic Technique:
○ Always keep sterile objects in view.
○ Do not reach across a sterile field.
○ Sterile objects should remain in a sterile area and should not come into
contact with non-sterile items.
○ Avoid talking over sterile fields or touching sterile surfaces with unsterile
hands.
7. Disinfection vs. Sterilization
● Disinfection: The process of eliminating most pathogenic microorganisms on
surfaces or objects, but not necessarily all (e.g., using bleach or alcohol).
● Sterilization: The complete elimination of all microorganisms, including spores
(e.g., autoclaving surgical instruments).
8. Infection Control in Nursing Practice
● Nurse’s Role:
○ Conduct thorough hand hygiene before and after patient interactions.
○ Use appropriate PPE based on the patient’s condition.
○ Educate patients and families on proper hygiene and infection control
measures.
○ Ensure that sterile techniques are used during invasive procedures.
○ Report any signs of infection or outbreaks in the healthcare facility.
9. Common Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAIs)
● Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Often caused by indwelling urinary catheters.
● Surgical Site Infections (SSIs): Can occur after surgical procedures, especially
when sterile techniques are not maintained.
● Pneumonia: Can be associated with mechanical ventilation (ventilator-associated
pneumonia).
● Bloodstream Infections: Associated with central lines and other invasive devices.
10. Multidrug-Resistant Organisms (MDROs)
● Antibiotic Resistance: The ability of bacteria to resist the effects of drugs that
once killed them or inhibited their growth.
● Examples of MDROs:
○ Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
○ Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE).
○ Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE).
● Prevention:
○ Strict adherence to infection control practices.
○ Judicious use of antibiotics.
11. Immunization and Infection Control
● Vaccinations: Essential in preventing the spread of infections. Nurses must
ensure that patients are up to date on vaccines.
● Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccines: Especially important for vulnerable
populations such as the elderly, immunocompromised, and those with chronic
illnesses.
12. Summary of Key Points
● Proper infection control practices (hand hygiene, PPE, aseptic techniques) are
essential in preventing the spread of infections in healthcare settings.
● Nurses must understand the different types of transmission-based precautions
and follow them based on the type of infection.
● The use of disinfectants and sterilization techniques is crucial in maintaining a
clean and safe environment for patients.
● Awareness of common hospital-acquired infections and multidrug-resistant
organisms is important for preventing and managing infections.
Reminder for Next Class:
● Case Study Review: Discuss infection control practices in specific scenarios (e.g.,
handling a patient with MRSA or managing a surgical site infection).
● Quiz on Infection Control: Focus on precautions, hand hygiene, and PPE
guidelines.
