1 Foundations of Infection Prevention
Learn how infection prevention interrupts transmission, when to use precautions, how to choose hand hygiene and PPE measures, and how to reduce care-related infection risks.
Interrupting the
Infection prevention aims to interrupt the . Its links occur in this order: infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible host. Breaking any link can reduce transmission.
For example, a pathogen may leave an infected person in respiratory secretions, spread through the air, and enter another person’s respiratory tract. can help interrupt transmission and prevent pathogens from reaching another person or a susceptible body site.
Use precautions appropriate to the risk
apply to every patient, in every care setting, regardless of known infection status. They include , risk-based , respiratory hygiene, safe injection practices, and proper handling, cleaning, and disinfection of equipment and the environment.
are added when a suspected or confirmed infection calls for extra measures. The categories are , , and ; more than one category may be needed. Begin appropriate precautions promptly and follow current facility and disease-specific guidance.
Perform at key moments
Clean hands at these moments:
Before touching a patient.
Before an aseptic task.
After a body-fluid exposure risk.
After touching a patient.
After touching the patient’s surroundings.
Clean hands immediately after removing gloves and between patient contacts. Gloves do not replace . Alcohol-based hand rub is generally preferred when hands are not visibly soiled; use soap and water when they are visibly soiled.
Select protective equipment
Choose according to anticipated exposure and the required precautions. A gown helps protect clothing and skin. A mask and eye protection help protect mucous membranes from splashes or sprays; goggles and a face shield are examples of eye and face protection for anticipated spray exposure.
generally require healthcare personnel to use a fit-tested N95 or higher-level respirator and to place the patient in an airborne infection isolation room (AIIR) when available. Follow facility procedures and disease-specific guidance.
Reduce care-related infection risks
may be linked to invasive devices, surgery, transmission between people, or other care-related exposures. Risk can increase when a device provides a route for germs to enter the body, when infection-prevention practices are missed, or when a patient is more susceptible to infection.
Reduce avoidable risk by using devices only when needed, maintaining aseptic technique, cleaning shared equipment, and following recommended care and removal practices. Remove a urinary catheter as soon as it is no longer clinically needed, following the appropriate procedure. Clean and disinfect reusable equipment, such as a blood-pressure cuff, according to facility procedures and the manufacturer’s instructions before it is used for another patient.