Definition of Cross Infection
The definition of Infection is the body's reaction to the entry of microorganisms as a cause of disease.
It is needed to distinguish the term contamination and cross-infection term. Contamination is the exposure of someone by microorganisms and it has not caused infection. The definition of cross infection is the disease transmission from one person to another, which is generally through an intermediary.
The medium of microorganism transmission as infection cause can occur through direct contact e.g through oral fluid and blood. Indirect contact, it can through a contaminated pathogenic microorganism object, which generally occurs because the instruments are not sterile.
Prevention of infection is an action taken to minimize the entry of microorganisms into the body including bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. The definition related to the prevention of infection include:
a. Antisepsis is the process of reducing the number of microorganisms on the skin, mucous membranes, or other tissues by using anti-microbial (anti-septic).
b. Asepsis and aseptic technique is all the works done to prevent the entry of microorganisms into the body and potential to cause infection. The purpose of asepsis is to reduce to safe levels on the number of microorganisms of the life surface (skin and tissue) and inanimate objects (dental surgical tools, surgical instruments and other items).
c. Decontamination is the process that makes the tool becomes safer to handle.
d. High-level disinfection is the process of removing all microorganisms except some endospores on the tools by boiling, steaming or the use of chemical disinfection.
e. Cleaning or washing tools is the physically process of removing all dust, dirty blood, or other, which look at the objects or tools and discarding or eliminating a number of microorganisms to reduce the risk for those who touch the skin or handle of the tool.
Infection Control and How to Prevent Infection
Infection control can be through a variety of efforts made to reduce infection caused by microorganisms that can cause infection. The effort is intended for patients, clients and health workers. In other words, the purpose of these efforts is to create a safe environment in implementing health services, regardless of the size of facilities or location of service.
If the infection control is not implemented properly, the possibility of greater infection and the risk of spreading through health facilities also increase. All contaminated instruments such as needles, syringes and other equipment of the patient should always be treated as infected objects. Infection control can rely on barrier area between the host and the microorganisms that aim to cut off the spreading link in some places, for example by physical, mechanical or chemical process in preventing the spreading of infection from one patient to another patient.
There are some efforts that can be done to prevent infection:
a. Officers: Work only in a healthy time, do regular medical examination (every 6 months), do not work when suffering from infectious diseases, work according to the principles of aseptic and antiseptic, work according to the correct procedure, wash your hands with the correct technique, good attention to individual hygiene, keep the environment clean, do the right nursing care, isolation in certain circumstances, work according to the applicable rules.
b. Tools: Always kept in a dry, clean, sterile and a special place. Do not use damaged and uncertain sterility tools, linen must be clean, dry and smooth, a set of tools for one action, do not use expired tools, existing tools in treatment room should be made of material that is easy to clean, uncontaminated by certain diseases.
c. Patients: Perform isolation on transmitted disease, personal hygiene care for patients, and pay special attention to patients with transmitted disease.
d. Environment: Information / sun light and air circulation should be enough, maintain hygiene, prevent insects, prevent stagnant water, trash is always in a closed condition, the floor surface is flat and perforated, wall treatment rooms is slippery, easy to clean and not angular, the room is cleaned regularly.
Infection control effort is Multidiscipline, there are some things considered in infection control:
a. Dicipline: Behavioral health workers should be based on high discipline to comply with aseptic procedures, invasive technique, prophylaxis efforts, and so on.
b. Defence mechanism: Protect patients with self-defense mechanism so that they are not exposed to sources of infection.
c. Drug: The use of antiseptic drugs, antibiotic and others may affect the infection.
d. Design: The design of the treatment room will affect the risk of transmission of infection, particularly through the air (airborne), or physical contact that are possible when the area of the room is not sufficient.
e. Device: protective equipment is required as a barrier to infection, such as protective clothing, masks, goggles, gloves and so on.
