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You, too, can be an Infection Preventionist |
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February 1, 2017 |
By Connie Sue Clum, RN, MSN
Infection Prevention Nurse
Boundary Community Hospital
Deep in the heart of winter, it is an excellent
time to remind everyone that each of you play an
important role in infection prevention. Despite
the variety of viruses and bacteria, germs
spread from person to person through a common
series of events.
Therefore, to prevent germs from infecting more
people, we must break the chain of infection.
No matter the germ, there are six points at
which the chain can be broken and a germ can be
stopped from infecting another person. The six
links include:
• The infectious agent is the pathogen (germ) that causes the disease.
• The reservoir is the place in the environment where the pathogen lives.
This includes people, animals and insects,
medical equipment, your countertop or any object
in your home, soil and water.
• The portal of exit is the way the infectious agent leaves the
reservoir. This could be through open wounds,
aerosols, and the splatter of body fluids
including coughing, sneezing, and saliva.
• The means of transmission is the way the infectious agent can be passed
on. This could be through direct contact like
touching, ingestion into the stomach, or
inhalation into the nasal cavity or lungs.
• The portal of entry is the way the infectious agent can enter a new
host. In contrast to the means of transmission
(which is the movement of the germ from the
object to you or another person), the portal of
entry is the actual entering of the body. This
can be through broken skin, the respiratory
tract (nose or lungs), mucous membranes
(including the urine), and catheters and tubes.
• Lastly, the susceptible host can be any person. The most vulnerable are
those receiving healthcare, are
immunocompromised, or have invasive medical
devices including lines, devices, and airways.
Imagine all of these links in a circle. A germ
can travel around this circle very quickly. The
way to stop germs from spreading is by
interrupting this chain (or circle) at any spot.
There are many ways to do this.
Here are some common sense tips to interrupt the
chain and reduce your chances of spreading
germs:
• The most important is cleaning your hands frequently. You can use hand
sanitizer but the best way to clean your hands
is soap and water.
• Getting your flu shot annually. If you are over 65, you can get the
Prevnar 13 (recommended to get first) or the
Pneumovax vaccines to help prevent pneumonia.
• Covering coughs and sneezes and staying home when sick are other
important ways of stopping the spread of germs.
Did you know coughing or sneezing into your
elbow or shoulder is one of the best ways to
cover your cough?
• At home, cleaning and disinfecting high touch surfaces is important.
High touch surfaces are items like countertops,
sink and toilet seat handles, computer keyboards
or any other surfaces that you touch frequently
with your hands.
Be honest: Have you ever used your scarf or
gloves to wipe your nose or cover a sneeze/cough
when a tissue wasn’t available?
Oh, my!
And then with your runny nose-contaminated
glove, you touch a steering wheel, doorknob, or
seat — all the time spreading the germs to
others. Remember to wash your gloves and scarves
on a regular basis, preferably once per week or
when soiled.
Most germs will survive for two or three days on
inanimate objects — some longer. They don’t have
to look soiled or smell bad to be loaded with
germs either!
Stopping the spread of germs is key to staying
healthy. Interrupting the chain at some point on
the link will keep you healthier this year.
Now you are an Infection Preventionist too! |
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