chain of infection

Medical term Safety and Compliance

Six-step path germs follow: infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, susceptible host. Interrupting any step prevents infection.

Sources

• Principles of Epidemiology in Public Health Practice, 3rd ed., Lesson 1, Section 10: Chain of Infection · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (archive.cdc.gov)

Related terms

• infectionInvasion and growth of disease-causing microorganisms in the body. Skin antisepsis before a puncture lowers…
• portal of entryHow a pathogen gets into a new host, for example through a needlestick, broken skin or a mucous membrane.
• portal of exitHow a pathogen leaves its reservoir, for example in blood from a puncture site or in droplets from a cough.
• reservoirThe home where a germ survives and multiplies, for example an infected patient, a carrier or contaminated…
• susceptible hostA person who can become infected, such as a patient with weak immunity or a worker who is not immune.
• batteryTouching a person without consent. Drawing blood from a patient who refused, or withdrew consent, can be…
• bloodborne pathogensDisease-causing germs carried in human blood, such as HBV, HCV and HIV. OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard…
• breachHIPAA: PHI used, disclosed or accessed in a way the Privacy Rule forbids, putting its privacy or security at…
• calibrationTesting and adjusting an instrument so its readings match the true amount of the substance measured, as…
• contact precautionsGown and gloves put on entering the room and removed before leaving, with patient-dedicated equipment such…

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