Environment of Care Flashcards

A healthcare facility is investigating a cluster of Aspergillus infections in an oncology unit. Construction is occurring two floors below. What is the most likely transmission route?

Answer: Airborne fungal spores migrating through the HVAC system or stairwells

Aspergillus spores are airborne and can travel long distances through HVAC systems or negative-pressure stairwells from remote construction sites to immunocompromised patient units.

Which element of the ICRA matrix helps determine the appropriate infection control barrier class during healthcare construction?

Answer: The type of construction activity AND the risk group of patients in the adjacent area

The ICRA matrix combines the construction activity type (Type A–D) with the patient risk group (Group 1–4) to determine the required containment class (I–IV).

Which practice is recommended to prevent healthcare-associated Legionella in facility water systems?

Answer: Implementing a water management program per CDC and ASHRAE 188 guidelines

A comprehensive water management program (WMP) per CDC Healthcare Water guidelines and ASHRAE 188 is the recommended strategy to prevent Legionella in healthcare facility water systems.

A post-discharge room disinfection audit reveals that the UV-C disinfection robot missed several surfaces. What is the most likely reason?

Answer: Shadow areas obstructed by furniture or equipment blocked UV-C exposure

UV-C light travels in straight lines and cannot disinfect surfaces in shadows or behind furniture, making thorough manual pre-cleaning and optimal robot positioning critical.

What is the primary infection prevention rationale for maintaining carpeted surfaces out of high-risk healthcare areas?

Answer: Carpet cannot be adequately disinfected with hospital-grade disinfectants and harbors pathogens

Carpet fibers harbor pathogens and cannot be adequately disinfected with liquid disinfectants, making hard-surface flooring preferable in patient care and procedure areas.

Which approach best describes 'two-step' cleaning and disinfection of an environmental surface?

Answer: First removing visible soil with a detergent, then applying a disinfectant

Two-step disinfection involves first cleaning with a detergent to remove organic matter, then applying a disinfectant, because organic soil inactivates many disinfectants.

When performing a risk assessment for placement of a patient requiring airborne precautions, which room characteristic takes priority?

Answer: The room must maintain negative air pressure relative to the corridor

The most critical engineering requirement for airborne precautions is sustained negative air pressure relative to adjacent areas, preventing infectious aerosols from escaping to the hallway.