Knowra Infection prevention and control Infection prevention and control Infection prevention and control comprises measures that reduce the risk of infections spreading among patients, workers, and communities. It combines routine practices with precautions tailored to particular pathogens and routes of transmission.
Standard precautions : Baseline infection-control practices applied to all patients, regardless of known infection status. These routine measures form the foundation of prevention in healthcare.
Healthcare-associated infection : An infection acquired while receiving care in a healthcare setting that was not present or incubating at admission. Preventing these infections is a central purpose of healthcare infection control.
Pathogen : A biological agent, such as a bacterium, virus, fungus, or parasite, that can cause disease. Control measures aim to prevent pathogens from reaching susceptible hosts.
Sterilization (microbiology) : A process that destroys or removes all forms of microbial life, including bacterial spores. Sterilization provides a higher level of microbial elimination than routine disinfection.
Transmission-based precautions : Additional precautions used when infections spread through contact, droplets, or airborne particles. They add targeted protections when standard measures alone are insufficient.
Surgical site infection : An infection occurring at or near an incision after surgery. Perioperative precautions target contamination before, during, and after an operation.
Chain of infection : A model linking an infectious agent, reservoir, exit route, transmission route, entry route, and susceptible host. Breaking any link in this chain can prevent an infection from spreading.
Antisepsis : The use of antimicrobial substances on living tissue to inhibit or destroy microorganisms. Antisepsis treats skin and tissue, unlike environmental disinfection of objects.
Hand hygiene : Cleaning hands with soap and water or an antiseptic hand product to reduce microorganisms. Clean hands interrupt transmission through care workers, patients, and contaminated surfaces.
Catheter-associated urinary tract infection : A urinary tract infection associated with the use of an indwelling urinary catheter. Catheter necessity, insertion technique, and maintenance practices can reduce this risk.
Show all 22