• Understand the basic epidemiology

HAI = Hospital Acquired Infection is one that was not present on admission but occurred >48hours after admission

HCAI = Health care associated Infection is one that was not present on admission but occurred >48hours after admission AND THE PATIENT CAME FROM A CLINICAL ENVIROMENT BEFOREHAND

• Understand what is meant by the term "transmission based precautions"

patients who may be infected or colonized with certain infectious agents for which additional precautions are needed to prevent infection transmission

such as droplet or aerosol vs contact

• Know the importance of hand hygiene

Bare below the elbows PLUS removal of watches and rings with stones Wet hands AND THEN apply soap to all surfaces of the hands Rinse hands Dry hands on paper towels Turn off tap with elbows or paper towel Dispose of towel without contaminating hands

• Know the importance of medical devices to HCAIs

two types

Invasive medical devices: Maybe long term or short term. All break the skin or mucous membrane barrier

-CVC, PVC, urinary catheters, dialysis lines…. etc

Indwelling prosthetic devices: Usually long term devices which are buried into tissue under the skin

-Heart valves, prosthetic joints, pacing units…etc