Simplicity of ideas, truth or action is unfortunately what we collectively have been seeking in recent years. Whether it is the tensions in the Middle East, European integration or a new diet, we want a distilled, concise result that is easy to understand. Our television news comes to us in twenty-second bites and our newspapers are dominated by headlines. This also applies to our professional world. In asepsis we think only about killing microbes and often about little else. I propose that it is time to expand our knowledge and regard diverse factors such as personal safety, economics and environmental responsibility as important.

Essential Concepts in Infection Control

1. Circle of Infection

Microbes are spread by air current, water, hands, lips, blood aerosol and saliva that come in contact with surfaces and instruments. Infection is transmitted by a sequence of events commonly called the “chain of infection” in the “cycle or circle of infection.”

A complete change or separation of every item that comes in contact with each human or animal visit includes:

• Instruments – disinfect, clean, package, sterilize
• Barriers – remove and discard safely-gloves, masks, bibs
• Hands – disinfect with hand gel, wash when soiled
• Surfaces – disinfect all touch and aerosol surfaces

Simplicity of ideas, truth or action is unfortunately what we collectively have been seeking in recent years. Whether it is the tensions in the Middle East, European integration or a new diet, we want a distilled, concise result that is easy to understand. Our television news comes to us in twenty-second bites and our newspapers are dominated by headlines. This also applies to our professional world. In asepsis we think only about killing microbes and often about little else. I propose that it is time to expand our knowledge and regard diverse factors such as personal safety, economics and environmental responsibility as important.

Essential Concepts in Infection Control

1. Circle of Infection

Microbes are spread by air current, water, hands, lips, blood aerosol and saliva that come in contact with surfaces and instruments. Infection is transmitted by a sequence of events commonly called the “chain of infection” in the “cycle or circle of infection.” A complete change or separation of every item that comes in contact with each human or animal visit includes:

• Instruments – disinfect, clean, package, sterilize
• Barriers – remove and discard safely-gloves, masks, bibs
• Hands – disinfect with hand gel, wash when soiled
• Surfaces – disinfect all touch and aerosol surfaces Tubing is a reusable device; cleaning and disinfecting all water supply and evacuation lines should be part of the infection control regimen.

Infection does not always lead to disease. We are constantly being infected by many factors. Our immune system is on constant alert to prevent infection from becoming a disease. The time from infection to the onset of symptoms from hours to years:

Salmonella: 6-48 hours
Hepatitis B: 50-150 days
Tuberculosis: 6 months – 2 years
HIV: 3-10 years
Anthrax: 7 days