Infection Control and Saudi MOH Regulations Flashcards

According to WHO hand hygiene guidelines, which of the 'Five Moments for Hand Hygiene' requires hand hygiene BEFORE the moment?

Answer: Before touching a patient and before aseptic procedures

The WHO Five Moments are: (1) before touching a patient, (2) before aseptic/clean procedures, (3) after body fluid exposure, (4) after touching a patient, (5) after touching patient surroundings. Moments 1 and 2 are 'before' moments that protect the patient.

A patient admitted with suspected Ebola hemorrhagic fever requires which level of transmission-based precautions?

Answer: Contact + Droplet + Airborne (full PPE including PAPR)

Ebola requires all three levels of transmission-based precautions plus enhanced PPE including a powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) or equivalent, due to high lethality, contact with body fluids, and potential aerosol generation during procedures. Saudi MOH and CDC recommend this approach.

A hospital in Saudi Arabia wants to implement a central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) prevention bundle. Which element is most critical?

Answer: Maximum sterile barrier precautions during insertion (cap, gown, mask, sterile gloves, drape)

The CLABSI prevention bundle includes: hand hygiene, chlorhexidine skin antisepsis, maximum sterile barriers during insertion, avoiding femoral access, and daily review of line necessity (remove ASAP). Maximum sterile barrier precautions during insertion are the cornerstone of prevention.

The Saudi Ministry of Health requires hospitals to report healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Which agency is responsible for national HAI surveillance in Saudi Arabia?

Answer: Saudi CDC (SCDC) / MOH Infection Prevention and Control Program

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health oversees the national infection prevention and control program through the Saudi CDC (SCDC). Hospitals are required to report HAIs including CLABSI, CAUTI, SSI, and VAP through the national surveillance system.

The nurse is changing a patient's wound dressing and notes increasing purulent exudate, erythema, and warmth. What is the most appropriate next step?

Answer: Obtain a wound swab culture and notify the physician before applying a new dressing

Signs of wound infection (purulence, erythema, warmth, pain, edema) require wound culture to identify the causative organism and guide antibiotic therapy. The physician must be notified. Hydrogen peroxide is cytotoxic to healing tissue and should not be used.

Which sterilization method is most appropriate for heat-sensitive medical instruments such as endoscopes?

Answer: Low-temperature hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilization (e.g., STERRAD)

Heat-sensitive instruments (endoscopes, optical instruments, certain plastics) cannot withstand autoclave temperatures. Low-temperature hydrogen peroxide gas plasma (STERRAD) or ethylene oxide are the options; STERRAD is preferred because it is faster (30–75 min), safer for staff, and has no toxic residues. EO requires lengthy aeration.