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LOCALIZED INFECTION

An infection that is limited to a specific location in the body.

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SYSTEMIC INFECTION

Affects the entire body, this type of infection travels through the bloodstream and is spread throughout the body. Causes general symptoms such as fever, chills, or confusion.

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HEALTHCARE-ASSOCIATED INFECTION

An infection acquired in a healthcare setting during the delivery of medical care. 

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MODE OF TRANSMISSION

Describes how the pathogen travels. The main routes of transmission are contact, droplet, and airborne transmission. Includes methods of direct contact and indirect contact. 

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DIRECT CONTACT

Happens by touching the infected person or their secretions.

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INDIRECT CONTACT

Results from touching an object contaminated by the infected person. Examples are needles, dressing, tissue or bed linen.

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MUCUS MEMBRANES

The membranes that line body cavities that open to the outside of the body. These include the linings of the mouth, nose, eyes, rectum, and genitals.

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MALNUTRITION

A person who is malnourished is not getting the proper nutrition. Older adults are at risk for malnutrition. 

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DYHYDRATION

A condition that occurs when there is an inadequate amount of fluid in the body.

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OSHA

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is a federal government agency that makes rules to protect workers from hazards on the job.

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CDC

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a federal government agency that issues guidelines to protect and improve the health of individuals and communities.  

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STANDARD PRECAUTIONS

Treating blood and other bodily fluids, non intact skin, and mucous membranes as if they were infected. Body fluids include blood, tears, saliva, sputum, urine, feces, semen, vaginal secretions, pus or other wound drainage and vomit. They do NOT include sweat.

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SHARPS

NEEDLES, RAZORS, OR OTHER SHARP OBJECTS.

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HAND HYGIENE

Washing hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand rub, such as hand sanitizer.

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DON

Putting on gowns, masks, goggles, face shields, and gloves. This is done in case splashing or spraying of body fluids or blood could occur. 

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DOFF

When finished with procedure, the PPE comes off as soon as possible and hand washing is the next step.

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PERINEAL CARE

Care of the genital and anal area.

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NON-INTACT SKIN

Skin that is broken by abrasions, cuts, rashes, acne, pimples, lesions, surgical incisions, or boils.

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CLEAN

If something has not been contaminated with pathogens.

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DIRTY

If something has been contaminated with pathogens. Measures like disinfection and sterilization decrease the spread of pathogens that could cause disease. 

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DISPOSABLE

Equipment that is designed to be discarded after one use. Disposable razors and gloves are examples.

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CONTACT PRECAUTIONS

Transmission-Based Precautions. When ordered, these precautions are used in addition to Standard Precautions. These are always listed in the resident's care plan. 

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HEPATITIS

The inflammation of the liver caused by certain viruses and other factors, such as alcohol abuse, some medications, and trauma. Liver function can be permanently damaged by by hepatitis. Most common types of hepatitis are A, B, and C. 

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JAUNDICE

A condition in which the skin, whites of the eyes, and mucous membranes appear yellow.

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BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS STANDARD

This federal law requires healthcare facilities to protect employees from bloodborne health hazards. By law, employees must follow these rules to reduce or eliminate the risk of exposure to infectious diseases. 

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TB

Tuberculosis is a highly contagious disease caused by a bacterium. This bacteria usually affects the lungs. TB is an airborne disease.

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PHLEGM

Thick mucus from the respiratory passage.

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MRSA

A strain of the staphylococcus aureus. Symptoms of this infection include drainage, fever, chills, and redness. It is spread through direct contact with infected people and touching contaminated objects with MRSA.

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VRE

Comes from the enterococci bacteria that live in the digestive and genital tracts. If the enterococci becomes resistant to the powerful antibiotic vancomycin, then it is called vancomycin-resistant enterococcus.

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C. DIFF

Clostridioides difficile. It is a spore-forming bacterium which can be a normal part of the normal intestinal flora. When the normal intestinal flora is altered, c. diff cal flourish in the intestinal tract and cause infection. It produces a toxin that causes watery diarrhea. The overuse of antibiotics is an example of a cause of c. diff.

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FALLS

A sudden uncontrollable descent from a higher to a lower level, with or without injuring resulting. Falls make up the majority of accidents that occur in long-term care facilities. They may be caused by an unsafe environment, loss of abilities, diseases, and medications. Problems from falls range from minor bruises to fractures and life-threatening injuries.

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DISORIENTATION

Confusion about a person, place, or time.

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PARALYSIS

The loss of ability to move all or part of the body. It often includes loss of feeling in the affected area. Strokes and brain or spinal injuries affect sensation and awareness of surroundings.

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CHOKING

Can occur when eating, drinking, or taking medication. Babies and young children, elderly, or ill persons are at a greater risk of choking. Residents may have swallowing problems and need special diets with thickened liquids.

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ABRASION

An injury that rubs off the surface of the skin, such as a cut or a scrape.

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OXYGEN THERAPY

The administration of oxygen to increase the supply of oxygen to the lungs. The increases the availability of oxygen to the body tissues. 

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ATROPHY

The weakening or wasting away of the muscle.

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PHYSICAL RESTRAINT

A way to restrict voluntary movement or behavior. A physical restraint is any method, device, material, or equipment that restricts a person's freedom of movement. Types of physical restraints include vests, belts, wrist/ankle, and mitt restraints. 

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CHEMICAL RESTRAINT

Medications used to control a person's mood or behavior. 

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RESTRAINT ALTERNATIVES

Measures that are used in place of a restraint or that reduce the need for a restraint. These measures can consist of improving safety measures by improving lighting, placing call lights close by, frequently helping with elimination needs, assisting with ambulation, encouraging activities and promoting independence, increasing visits and interaction. 

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BODY MECHANICS

The way the parts of the body work together when a person moves. Using proper body mechanics helps save energy and prevent injury. 

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BASE OF SUPPORT

The foundation that supports an object. The feet are the body's base of support. The wider the support, the more stable a person is. Sending with legs shoulder-width apart allows for a greater base of support. This is more stable than standing with feet together.

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CENTER OF GRAVITY

The point where the most weight is concentrated. This point will depend on the position of the body. When a person stands, weight is centered in the pelvis. A low center of gravity gives a more stable base of support. Bending the knees when lifting an object lowers the pelvis and, therefore, lowers a person's center of gravity. This gives more stability and makes the person less like to pull or strain the working muscles. 

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FIRE SAFETY GUIDELINES

For a fire to occur, heat, fuel, and oxygen must be present. A fire can be prevented by extinguishing or removing any one of these elements. Fire hazards in facilities include the following: smoking, damaged electrical equipment, flammable materials or liquids, careless cooking, and oxygen use.