User:Urbansteve/sandbox

Diagnosis:
It is widely accepted that at both ends of our life spectrum, our bodies need more sterile environments in which to thrive, and whilst some of this can be controlled by administering drugs such as antibiotics, this method becomes less effective for those that have developing or depleting immune systems.

The common occurrence and dire consequences of infectious disease outbreaks in nursing homes and child care centres often go unrecognised and unappreciated. Nevertheless, these facilities provide an ideal environment for acquisition and spread of infection: susceptible residents or developing children who share sources of air, food, water, and health care in a crowded institutional setting. Moreover, parents, visitors, staff, and residents constantly come and go, bringing in pathogens from both the Aged Care or Child Care facility and the community. Outbreaks of respiratory and gastrointestinal infection predominate in this setting, but outbreaks of skin and soft-tissue infection and infections caused by antimicrobial-resistant bacteria also occur with some frequency.

The most common diseases spread through poor hygiene standards include:


 * Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA): are bacteria that can cause serious health issues. MRSA is a strain of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria or Staph bacteria, that have developed a resistance to penicillin and penicillin-related antibiotics, including methicillin. MRSA is typically spread through physical contact and must breach the skin—through a cut, for example—to cause an infection. MRSA is most commonly acquired as a result of hospital stays. These bacteria can adhere to various types of instruments, including medical equipment. If MRSA bacteria gain access to internal body systems and cause a staph infection, the consequences could be fatal. These bacteria can infect bones, joints, heart valves, and the lungs.
 * Gastroenteritis (Gastro): is a common illness that can cause vomiting and diarrhoea. Without control measures in place, many types of gastro are easily spread. Gastro can be serious, and normally makes you very dehydrated, and affects your gut (stomach and intestines)  Gastro may be caused by:
 * viruses (such as rotavirus or norovirus infections)
 * bacteria (including salmonella)
 * toxins produced by bacteria
 * parasites (such as giardia)
 * chemicals (such as toxins in poisonous mushrooms).


 * Influenza (Flu): is another dangerous infection for seniors. Their weakened immunity and other health issues often cause the illness to become worse and turn into pneumonia. In most cases the symptoms include fever, chills, and cough, but not all elderly patients will show these signs. This is especially problematic in nursing homes, as the illness is easily spread through sneezing and coughing. Influenza is particularly dangerous infection for seniors. Their weakened immunity and other health issues often cause the illness to become worse and turn into pneumonia. In most cases the symptoms include fever, chills, and cough, but not all elderly patients will show these signs. This is especially problematic in nursing homes, as the illness is easily spread through sneezing and coughing.
 * Staphylococcus Infection (Staph): While staph infection is another word for MRSA, the bacteria can also cause food poisoning. The illness will come on quickly, and unlike other forms of food poisoning, there will typically not be a fever. Instead, the patient will have nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure, and dehydration. In food poisoning caused by staph, the illness often resolves quickly, but can be devastating especially for seniors.
 * Multi-Resistant Organism (MSO): A multi-resistant organism (MRO) is a type of infectious agent that has become resistant to a number of different antibiotics normally used in its treatment.

What is an infection?
An infection is a disease or illness caused when an organism inside a person multiplies to levels where it causes harm.

What causes infections?
Organisms that cause infections are called infectious agents and are sometimes referred to as germs. Most are microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites). When an infectious agent spreads from one person to another, it colonises (establishes itself in) the person exposed to it. That person (the host) won’t become infected if their immune system fights the infectious agent. But when people are vulnerable (e.g. if they are frail or have another illness) infectious agents can multiply in the body and cause disease.

How do infections spread?
Infection requires three main elements:


 * 1) a source of the infectious agent
 * 2) a mode of transmission and
 * 3) a susceptible host.

This is known as the chain of infection and breaking the chain of infection helps to stop the spread of disease. There are many different types of infectious agents, but only a few ways they are spread


 * Contact: Infectious agents are transferred directly (eg contact with infected blood or body fluids) or indirectly (eg touching a contaminated surface and then another person without performing hand hygiene in between).
 * Droplet: Droplets made by coughs or sneezes transfer to someone’s eyes, nose or mouth.
 * Airborne: Tiny particles containing infectious agents travel through air currents (e.g. air conditioning) and are breathed in.

Measurement and Control:
Whilst in general terms "Best Practice Hygiene Standards" are adapted to both Child Care and Assisted Living environs, due to the commercial nature - not all cases of bacterial infection are reported. As governments move toward more regulatory measurement and controls, facilities are reviewing their Infection-Control Programs and Outbreak Management Plans, and better understanding the need to use a multi-nodal approach to identifying transferable diseases, and reducing the risk of the spread of infection. Best Practice methodology includes:


 * Hand hygiene: is the single most important factor in reducing the spread of infections. It is important that it is performed at the right moments, being both before AND after contact with either clients, parents, patients, residents or children. The establishment of Hand Hygiene Stations throughout a property is quite common, with the accompanying signage to encourage anyone entering or leaving an area to contribute to the control.
 * Respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette: Covering sneezes and coughs prevents people who are infected from dispersing droplets into the air where they can spread to others.
 * Personal protective equipment: Gloves are used to reduce the spread of infectious agents that may be carried on hands, and are also worn during care of people who have an infection spread by contact (especially if it is caused by a multi-resistant organism). Protective eyewear, gowns or face masks are also used where there maybe more intensive care activities that carry higher risk of infection.
 * Cleaning: The level of cleaning required to stop the spread of infection depends on the objects involved and the risk of contamination. Traditional cleaning methods using detergents, wipes and rags are simply too inefficient, and cover too little of an area to eliminate germs from all areas of a facility where infections can occur. Using a preventative, touchless infection protection system, is an important part of a Infection Control Program, and is an important and vital enhancement to every facilities cleaning program.

Summary:
Whilst there is no one, single solution to improving the health of all facilities, especially those with occupants that have reduced or developing immune systems, most cases of outbreaks can be avoided or minimised by using preventional methodology. This involves engaging a company that can provide a post-cleaning treatment to all surfaces that is:


 * Clinically safe for use around all people (e.g. Hospital Grade Disinfectant)
 * Kills 99.9% of surface baterias upon application
 * Touch-Free, using non-cloth-wipe methodology, such as an electrostatic sprayer
 * Has fast application time to reduce any disruption to business

It is also important to choose a service company that can, if requested, provide verification results of the pre and post disinfection application. This is normally done using an ATP device that essentially measures the level of bacteria counts using a photometer in RLU's to gauge the cleanliness of a CCP (touch point). Ongoing service and monitoring is also essential, and will form part of any companies Quality Control Program.