The Chain of Infection

1
The Chain of Infection
2
As healthcare professionals, it is important to
understand two things about infection
3

1. the various ways infection can be transmitted

2. the ways the infection chain can be broken
4
There are six links in the chain of infection
5
1st - The Infectious Agent
-any disease-causing microorganism (pathogen)
6
2nd - The Reservoir
-the place where the pathogen originally lives
7
What are Carrier Hosts
Hosts that do not show any outward signs or
symptoms of a disease but are still capable of
transmitting the disease are known as carriers.
8
3rd - The Portal of Exit
-route of escape of the pathogen from the
reservoir.
Examples respiratory secretions, blood exposure,
breaks in skin
9
4th - The Route of Transmission
-method by which the pathogen gets from the
reservoir to the new host
10
Transmission may occur through
direct contact
11
air
12
insects
13
5th - The Portal of Entry
-gaining access to a new host or reservoir
14
Respiratory System
inhalation
15
Gastrointestinal System
ingestion
16
Urinary Reproductive Tracts
Sexual contact
17
Breaks in Protective Skin Barrier
18
6th - The Susceptible Host
-the organism that accepts the pathogen
A person who is sick, stressed, etc.
19
Organisms with strong immune systems are better
able to fend off pathogens.
20
Organisms with weakened immune systems are more
vulnerable to the support reproduction of
pathogens.
21
How to interrupt the chain of infection
-The essential part of patient care
self-protection.
22
1. Pathogen Identification
-identification of infectious agent appropriate
treatment
23
2. Asepsis Hygiene
-potential hosts carriers must practice asepsis
maintain proper personal hygiene
24
3. Control Portals of Exit
-healthcare personnel must practice standard
precautions
25
(Control body secretions wash hands according
to protocol.)
26
4. Prevent a Route of Transmission
-prevent direct or indirect contact by

• Proper handwashing
• Disinfection sterilization techniques
• Isolation of infected patients
• Not working when contagious

27
Antiseptics

• Antiseptics are solutions that are applied
  directly to the skin. They prevent or slow the
  growth of pathogens.
• Examples Alcohol, Betadine, Listerine

28
Disinfection

• Disinfection uses strong chemicals to kill many
  pathogens on objects
• Examples Bleach, Lysol, etc.

29
Sterilization

• It is the best way to kill all microbes and their
  spores
• Examples Autoclave (steam under pressure),
  chemicals, radiation and gas

30
5. Protect Portal of Entry
-Health professionals must make sure that ports
of entry are not subjected to pathogens.
(nose, mouth, eyes, urinary tract, open wounds,
etc.)
31
6. Recognition of Susceptible Host
-health professionals must recognize protect
high-risk patients
32

• Cancer Patients
• AIDS Patients
• Transplant Patients
• Infant Elderly Patients

33
Remember--breaking the chain of infection is the
responsibility of each health professional.