Chain Of Infection
What do you know about the chain of Infection? Every healthcare professional should ideally know about the principles of Infection prevention and control. It is obvious that we can not fight an enemy without knowing what kind of enemy we are facing and what is the component of the enemy's army. I will take the chance to start with a principal component of Infection Prevention and Control namely, the Chain of Infection.
The chain of infection represents the transmission of microorganisms and subsequent infection within a health care setting, with each link in the chain representing a factor related to the spread of microorganisms. There are six components of the chain of infection and transmission does not take place unless all six elements in the chain of transmission are present.
What are the Chain of Infection Six Elements?
Causative agent
Reservoir of the agent
Portal of exit of the agent from the reservoir
Mode of transmission of the agent
Portal of entry into host
Susceptible host
Transmission occurs when:
The agent in the reservoir exits the reservoir
Through a portal of exit
Travels via a mode of transmission
Gains entry through a portal of entry
Reach to a susceptible host
Risk Factor For Transmission Of Infections:
Infection status of client/patient/resident (including colonization)
Characteristics of the client/patient/resident
Type of care activities to be performed
Immune status of the host
Infection Risks Assessment:
Whenever we do risk assessment for potential infection we have to consider the following potential risks:
Potential contamination of skin or clothing by microorganisms in the client/patient/resident environment
Potential exposure to source of infection:
blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, tissues
non-intact skin
mucous membranes
contaminated equipment or surfaces
Colonization, Infection & Contamination
Three essential terms should be know to all healthcare professionals as they sometimes misleading and improperly used: Colonization, Contamination and Infection.
Colonization:
Presence of microorganisms in or on a host with growth but without tissue invasion or damage
Contamination:
Presence of microorganisms on non-living objects (e.g. clothing, surgical instruments), on skin or in substances (e.g., water, food, milk)
Infection:
Entry of an infectious agent in the tissues of the host that multiplies and creates symptoms u know about the Chain of Infection?
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To know more about Chain of Infection, register for the next 5-CME Credit Hour Workshop entitled "NHRA Standard Based Infection Prevention and Control". REGISTER NOW.
