MICROORGANISMS

1. MICROORGANISMS

2. MICROORGANISMS MICROORGANISMS • A microorganism (microbe) is a form of life that is so small it can only be seen with a microscope. • Microbes live and grown everywhere. • They make up the largest number of living organisms on the planet. • Microbes that do not cause infection are called non-pathogens. • Microbes that do cause infection are called pathogens • Infection - a disease state resulting from the invasion and growth of microbes in the body

3. MICROORGANISMS TYPES OF MICROORGANISMS • Bacteria - The most common infection causing microorganism. • Naturally occur on living, dead or inanimate objects. • Can be transported through the air, food, water, soil, body tissues and fluids. • Multiply rapidly. • Usually treated with antibiotics. • Bacteria encapsulated in a hard shell is a spore. • Viruses • Must enter living cells to reproduce. • Take over cells and produce new virus particles. • The common cold, HIV, herpes, influenza, hepatitis. • Antibiotics are ineffectiveagainst viruses. • Some can be prevented by vaccination (Hep, HPV, flu)

4. MICROORGANISMS • Fungi • microbes that live only on organic matter such as plants and animals. • Fungi includes yeasts and molds. • Can affect the mouth, vagina, skin and feet. • Parasites • live on other living organisms. • Can cause serious disease such as malaria • EX. worms, fleas, tick and mites

6. INFECTION • Infection – A disease state resulting from the invasion of microbes in the body • Colonizationis the process by which strains of microorganisms become resident flora. It is when the pathogen lives on or in the body but does not cause infection. • A local infection is limited to the specific part of the body where the microorganisms remain. • If the microorganisms spread and damage different parts of the body, the infection is systemic.Ex. Kidney infection • Nosocomial infections- are infections that are associated with the delivery of health care services in a health care facility or community setting. • They can either develop during the clients stay in the facility or manifest after discharge. • They can also be acquired by health care personnel working in the facility

7. INFECTION SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF INFECTION • fever/chills (systemic) • pain • inflammation • redness • heat • impaired function • purulent drainage

8. INFECTION FACTORS THAT INCREASE INFECTION • age • poor nutrition • stress • lack of sleep • disease or illness • medications

9. CHAIN OF INFECTION

10. THE CHAIN OF INFECTION • PATHOGEN - a microbe capable of causing disease. • RESERVOIR (source)- the environment where the pathogen lives before it infects. • PORTAL OF EXIT - the path by which the pathogen leaves the reservoir. Exits in the human body are the body openings (mouth, nose, rectum, vagina and urethral openings) breaks in the skin and breaks in mucous membranes. Pathogens are carried through the portals of exit by body fluids, excretions (urine, stool, vomit, saliva, mucous, pus, vaginal discharge, semen, wound drainage and sputum) or secretions (chemicals released from a gland or cell) • MODE OF TRANSMISSION - how the pathogen travels from the portal of exit to the next reservoir or host. • PORTAL OF ENTRY - where the pathogen enters the new host’s body. Portals of entry are the same as exits. • SUSCEPTIBLE HOST - a person at risk for infection. Whether or not the pathogen flourishes depends on the new host’s immune system. If the person is immuno-compromised , he/she is more likely to acquire the infection

11. MODES OF TRANSMISSION • CONTACT TRANSMISSION – transfer by physical touch. Can be direct or indirect • Direct contact – touching an infected or colonized person. Skin to skin contact is required. Personal care, shaking hands • Indirect contact – touching a contaminated object such as soiled linen, tissue, utensils, equipment and surfaces • DROPLET TRANSMISSION – when microbes spread short distances (< 1 meter) in the air by droplets. Coughing, sneezing, talking etc. (influenza) • AIRBORN TRANSMISSION – when microbes are transmitted long distances (> than 1 meter) by air currents. Can be in dust particles or evaporated droplets. Can be inhaled. (SARS, TB) • VEHICLE TRANSMISSON – microbes are transmitted by a contaminated source. Food, water, meds, medical equipment. One vehicle can transmit to many people causing an outbreak • VECTOR-BORN TRANSMISSION – when insects or pets transmit microbes to humans (ticks, mosquitoes, fleas). Rare in a health care setting

12. ASEPSIS

13. ASEPSIS • Asepsis is the state of being free from pathogens (freedom from disease causing microorganisms). • Microbes are everywhere. In order to decrease the possibility of transferring microorganisms from one place to another, aseptic technique is used (medical asepsis). • Medical asepsis refers to the practices that: • Reduce the number of microbes • Prevent the spread of microbes from one person or place to another • Aseptic practices break the chain of infection

14. PREVENTING INFECTION HANDWASHING Hand washing with soap and water is the EASIEST and MOST IMPORTANT way to prevent the spread of infection. You use your hands in almost every task and they can easily pick up and transmit microbes. You need to wash your hands often and properly! When to wash you hands: • Before and after care • When visibly soiled • After contact with any body fluids • After touching contaminated objects/surfaces • Before preparing/handling food • Before and after wearing gloves • After personal body functions

15. ASEPSIS • In health care, an aseptic object or area is considered clean. There are NO pathogens present. • The object or area is considered contaminated (dirty) if pathogens are present or if it has been exposed to pathogens. • Contamination is the process of being exposed to pathogens. • Sterile means free from all microbes (pathogens and nonpathogens) Ex. (OR instruments). • Do not confuse aseptic and sterile. • Surgical asepsis (sterile technique refers to the practices that keep equipment and supplies free of all microbes. (catheterization, wound care) • Sterilization is the process of destroying all microbes

16. ASEPSIS Maintaining the sterile field: • Place only sterile items within the sterile field. • Open, dispense, and transfer items without contaminating them. • Do not allow unsterile personnel to reach across the sterile field or to touch sterile items. • Do not allow sterile personnel to reach across unsterile areas or to touch unsterile items. • Recognize and maintain the service provider's sterile area. • If a sterile barrier has been wet, cut, or torn, consider it contaminated. • Do not place sterile items near open windows or doors. • When in doubt about whether something is sterile, consider it contaminated.