Infection Control

The development of antibiotics was an important advancement in 20th century medicine. Previously deadly infectious diseases are now routinely treated with antibiotics. Moreover, for modern-day medical procedures such as chemotherapy treatment to be successful, antibiotic use is necessary. For these reasons, the prospect of bacteria developing widespread resistance to antibiotics is a major concern as it would render many modern-day medical therapies unviable.

1.1 Explain employees’ roles and responsibilities in relation to the prevention and control of infection

The conditions needed for the growth of micro-organisms are: Micro - organisms need food to survive. They like high protein food to survive, eg. Poultry & fish. Most micro - organisms need warmth & grow best at 20-40c. They need moisture to multiply. They need air to multiply, though some can without. A single Micro-organism becomes two every twenty minutes.

| UNIT 4222- 264 THE PRINCIPLES OF INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL | | | |

1. Explain employees’ roles and responsibilities in relation to the prevention and control of infection.

Protein and carbohydrate are needed by most bacteria in order to grow. Bacteria can obtain their essential nutrients from foods such as meat, eggs, fish, cheese, milk and cooked rice. Many places within the human body have an abundance of suitable food such as the mouth.

Most micro-organisms need most of the things you and I need to flourish and grow - moisture, warmth and a source of nutrition - some (usually the most dangerous such as those responsible for some types of gangrene) can do without oxygen (anaerobic bacteria). They need a mode of spread (usually the unwashed or poorly washed hands of people or badly cleaned equipment/facilities or badly stored food) and a vulnerable person to invade.

After microorganisms enter the patient’s body they can go to the lungs and cause pneumonia. Central line-bloodstream infections occur when microorganism enter the bloodstream by the intravenous line. Microorganisms are transfer into the blood stream by inadequate hand hygiene or improper intravenous fluid, tubing, and site care practice. Multidrug-resistant organisms can cause infections of the blood, skin, or organ systems. These infections can arise due to the overuse or misuse of antibiotics, which can result in the microorganisms becoming more resistant to antibiotic therapy. Methicillin-resistant Staphyloccocus aureus and Clostridium difficile are examples of this kind of infection. Health care employees need to know the different types of hospital acquired infections and how they are spread to be able to effectively prevent them.

All human pathogens require moisture to grow, that is why food is preserved by drying, which deprive mico-organisms of moisture.

To expose to the chance of injury or loss for example using harsh chemicals like bleach in a work in a care home their is always a risk of someone venerable not knowing what substance it is and drinking it or using it for something other than cleaning

However, everybody who has contact with the patient or the environment is entitled to relevant information that will enable them to reduce the risks of transmission to

Respiratory (airborne infections breathed in), digestive (within foods/ drinks), blood circulation (via broken skin/ wounds), body fluids (sexually transmitted diseases, cross contamination, poor hygiene).

2.Infections are unavoidable in the care home as there are so many risks. Potential risks can include the poor hygiene of a resident. This can be caused by them refusing to wash or bathe. Food poisoning is a risk if the kitchen and food surface aren’t kept clean at all times. Another potential risk is not cleaning equipment after use, as this can cross contaminate others causing harm to them. You must also make sure you dispose of clinical waste in the correct way, in the correct bins and tie bags up straight away as this can lead to a risk of infection.

Not making communication aids available or checking they are working, a noisy environment, not understanding or being aware of an individual’s needs, wishes, beliefs, values and culture, a lack of privacy, an uncomfortable environment e.g. lighting, temperature, different language, use of jargon.

Infection control within a healthcare facility is the prevention of the spread of many microorganisms from patient to patient, patient to a member of staff and also from the staff member to the patient that are in there care. The World Health Organisation have defined healthcare associated infections as an infection occurring in a patient in a hospital or other healthcare facility in whom the infection was not present or incubating at the time of admission. Every healthcare facility from hospitals to general practitioners office should have a designated member of staff or a team of people who ensure that the infection control procedures are abided by and adhered to at all times in order to protect both staff and patients. More than 300,000 people each year are affected by a healthcare associated infection and the cost of treatment for these patients is over £3,000 and there is also the cost of treatment after discharge.