MICROBIOLOGY

MICROBIOLOGYTHE STUDY OF MICROORGANISMS. THE SCIENCE WHICH TREATS THE NATURE, LIFE AND ACTION OF MICROORGANISMSIt is impossible to see microorganisms without a microscope.

Surgical Technologists must learn to see microorganisms with their minds eye.

Microorganisms can pose a threat to both patients and employees.

CONTAMINATIONThe state of being soiled or infected by contact with infectious organisms or other material.

To effectively control Microorganisms, Surgical Technicians must understand:How microorganisms are identified and classifiedBasic facts about microorganismsHow they growTo effectively control Microorganisms, Surgical Technicians must understand:What conditions they need to grow and reproduceHow they are transmitted from person-to-person and place-to-placeHow they can be controlled and killedBasic Facts About Microorganisms

Not all microorganisms are harmful..

Microorganisms are necessary for our existenceMicroorganisms help with:

Food developmentDecay of leaves and other natural wasteSewage treatment, and more..Size and structure of bacteriaMost bacterial cells are 1-2 microns in sizeA micron is 1/25,000 of an inch

SPORE A microorganism capable of forming a thick wall around itself that enables it to survive in adverse conditions; a resistant form of bacteria. * Bacterial spores pose specific challenges to the Operating Room environmentCells and more cells.Cells are basic units of all living organisms (plants, animals, and bacteria)They are the smallest unit that can live, grow and reproduce.They have different sizes and shapesIdentification and Classification of Microorganisms:Common ways to identify and Classify Microorganisms include: 1. Shape 2. Color Change 3. Need for oxygen

Classification by shapeBacteria are divided into 3 main groups by shape: 1. Cocci are round or spherical shaped and occur in pairs, clusters, or chains 2. Rods (bacilli) may be large and brick- shaped or small and stick-like 3. Spirals vary from comma-shaped to longer bacteria with many twists

Bacteria are classified by color changeBacteria are normally clear, color change occurs when bacteria are subjected to certain tests.Common stain tests -gram stain -Ziehl-Neilson StainGram Stain Procedure:The gram stain is the most commonly used differential stain for determining cell morphology. Differential stains allow for distinguishing certain characteristics of cells, and the stains commonly use two or more stains. The Gram stain, which divides most clinically significant bacteria into two main groups, is the first step in bacterial identificationBacteria are Classified by their Need for Oxygen:Aerobic Bacteria- Capable of growing in the presence of free oxygen. Requires oxygen

Anaerobic Bacteria- Capable of growing in the absence of free oxygen. Does not require oxygen

How Bacteria Live and Grow

BACTERIA_______________________________________ NEED THE RIGHT CONDITIONS TO GROWTemperature Requirements for BacteriaPsychrophiles like cold tempsMesophiles - like moderate tempsThermophiles like warm temps

*Mesophiles are often pathogenic to humans and grow well at body temperature.Bacterial ReproductionBacteria reproduce by dividing

This occurs approximately every 20 minutes

This process is call Binary Fission

Resistant Microorganisms____________________________Some microorganisms adapt and change to increase their chances of survival..

Methicillin-Resistant Staphyloccus aureus (MRSA)_______________________________Staphyloccus aureus bacteria that have developed a resistance to Methicillin, the drug of choice

MRSA usually occurs in patients who have been on antibiotics therapy for a long timeVancomycin-Resistant Entrococcus (VRE)_____________________________Enterococcus bacteria that are no longer sensitive to vancomycin

Transmission can occur by direct contact, or indirectly via the hands of personnelNON-BACTERIAL ORGANISMS VIRUSES PROTOZOA & FUNGI

I am a real fungi , just ask My Shrooms23VIRUS _____________________________________

ONE OF A GROUP OF MINUTE INFECTIOUS AGENTS THAT ONLY GROW IN LIVING TISSUE OR CELLS.

Viruses are TinyViruses are about 1000 times smaller than bacteria

If you were to enlarge a virus to the Size of a baseball, the average bacteriumwould be the size of the pitchers mound, and one single cellfrom the human body would be the size of the entire ballpark.

Common Viral DiseasesSmall poxRabiesYellow feverInfluenza MeaslesAIDSMumpsPolioCommon colds ShinglesCold soresWartshepatitis

Hepatitis

Five distinct viruses A, B, C, D, and E

A is often implicated in food borne illnesses

B, C,D, and E are transmitted in body fluids

There are vaccines available for A&B.

27Herpes Simplex

Recurrent skin and mucous membrane infectionsHSV Type I is associated with cold sores and fever blistersHSV Type 2 is associated with genital infections.Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)Causes AIDS

Occurs when the virus enters the blood stream

PROTOZOAN_____________________________________

Any one-celled animal-like microorganism is the sub kingdom of protozoa

FUNGIPlant-like organism group that includes molds, mushrooms, and yeasts without chlorophyll.They live by feeding off living or dead organismsFungi are involved in the production of most kinds of antibioticsFUNGI

Several species of fungi can cause respiratory disease in humans who inhale spores through dust, bird droppings, soil and other sources.Superficial FUNGIAttack mainly epidermis, hair, nails, and mucosal surfacesFor example: Ringworm and Athletes Foot

Transmission of MicroorganismsMicroorganisms cannot move by themselves, but they have been called the Worlds Greatest HitchhikersMicroorganisms can be transmitted by air currents, dust particles, in liquids, on solid objects like instruments and equipment.and by humans (us)Facts about MicroorganismsWe come in contact with thousands of types of microorganisms each day.Only about 1% are harmful to humansHowever, any microorganism can be harmful to patients whose defenses are compromised due to illness, injury or invasive procedures.PATHOGENICDisease producing

Surgical Technologists protect patients from pathogenic organismsFor our patients!The hospital is a very dangerous place!!

Our job is to protect them

The chain of infectionPortal of entryInto the host Mode of TransmissionPortal of ExitOf the AgentFrom the ReservoirReservoir of the agentSusceptible HostCausative AgentCausative AgentThe microorganism that causes an infectious diseaseCharacteristics that make microorganisms capable of causing disease:

Invasiveness Viability in a free state Pathogenicity Virulence Infectious DoseBreak the chain of infection by:Eliminating the Causative agentAvoid cross-contaminationThorough cleaningDisinfectionSterilization

Reservoir of the agentThe place where an infectious agent can surviveBreaking the Chain of infection:

Reducing ReservoirsSurgical Technologists can reduce reservoirs by practicing good personal hygiene and health habitsProperly cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing equipment, instruments, and utensilsSURGICAL CONSCIENCE!!Portal of ExitThe path by which an infectious agent leaves the reservoir

Portals of ExitRespiratory tract- sneezing and coughingGenitourinary Tract- Through urine, vaginal secretions, and semenGastrointestinal Tract-Through vomit and stoolsSkin/mucous Membrane- Through mucous or wound drainageBlood-Through blood transfusions or contact with bloodTransplacental-Through the placenta from mother to baby

Break the chain of infection byProtecting yourself and other from exposureSurgical Technologists should: Practice proper waste disposal

Wear PPE when they may come in contact with in infectious substances

45Modes of TransmissionAirborne- infectious agents found in tiny droplet nuclei or dust that are suspended in the air and may travel.For example: Vector-borne- carried by insects (rare in U.S. hospitals)

Break the Chain of Infection by:Maintain good hand hygieneFollowing good work practices for cleaning, decontamination, disinfection and sterilizationFollowing airflow control guidelinesFollowing Standard Precautions guidelines

Portal of EntryThe path used by an infectious agent to enter a susceptible host

Portals of EntryRespiratory TractGenitourinary TractGastrointestinal TractSkin/Mucous MembranesTransplacentalParenteral (definition?)

Break the Chain of Infection by:Ensuring that equipment, utensils and instruments are properly cleaned, disinfected, and/or sterilizedFollow standard precautions when handling contaminated items

Susceptible Host:Host Susceptibility is affected by: 1. Age 2. Disease 3. Nutritional Status 4. Compromised Immune status 5. Trauma

What we cant see CAN hurt us!!

Millions of tiny bacteria, too small to see, inhabit our work area!!!

Understanding Microorganisms Helps Surgical Technologists:

Prevent them from reproducingControl their transmissionDestroy themProtect patients, employees and ourselves

PreparednessUnderstanding the basics about microorganisms is the first step in being prepared to fight them!!