an example of the chain of transmission as a past PSW in long-term care is:

infectious agent: norovirus

reservoirs: infected staff member, resident, or visitor

portal of exit: through vomit or feces from the infected person

mode of transmission: direct contact caused by not using proper hand hygiene or indirect contact from touching a contaminated surface

portal of entry: enters another person through mouth – contaminated hands, food or surfaces

susceptible host: another resident, staff member or another visitor

Hello Everyone,

Module 1 – Chain of Transmission Discussion Board Post:
Influenza in a Hospital
Infectious Agent: Influenza Virus – The flu virus, which causes fever, cough, sore throat, and body aches.
Reservoir: A staff member who had the flu but didn’t realize how sick they were and came to work anyway.
Portal of Exit: The virus left their body when they coughed, sneezed, or talked, sending tiny droplets into the air.
Mode of Transmission: The droplets landed on things like handrails, bed tables, or medical equipment. Other people touched those surfaces or breathed in the droplets.
Portal of Entry: A resident touched a surface with the virus on it, then rubbed their eyes, nose, or mouth, giving the virus a way into their body.
Susceptible Host: An elderly patient with health problems and a weaker immune system gets infected and becomes very sick from the flu.

Thanks,
Deborah

An example of Chain of transmission in my life in 2019 year:
Infectious Agent:Covid -19 virus

Reservoirs:I got that virus from my brother who was working in the hospital at that time.

Portals of Exit:I started having a cough and sneezing as well as fever.

Modes of Transmission:there were many modes of transmission as we were sharing the same basement.
Direct contact (touching, ),Indirect contact (contaminated surfaces in the kitchen or instruments),Droplet (sneezing, coughing),Airborne (dust or air particles)

Portals of Entry:I got these particles enter into my body through mouth, nose.

Susceptible Host:My grandfather (an elderly people) who was already having chronic illness , got infected and died because of that virus.

Chain of Transmission Example – COVID-19 in a Long-Term Care Home

In my experience working as a PSW in a LTC home, I saw how easily COVID-19 could spread if infection control wasn’t followed properly.

Infectious Agent: The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19.
Reservoirs: Infected residents, staff, or even visitors who might not know they are carrying the virus or unvaccinated.
Portal of Exit: Respiratory droplets from coughing, sneezing, or even talking, especially when someone isn’t wearing a mask.
Mode of Transmission: Mostly through droplet and airborne spread, but also by indirect contact, like when a staff member touches a contaminated surface and then touches their face. Hence its extremely important to clean and disinfect the common contact areas in a LTC during the outbreak.
Portal of Entry: Through the eyes, nose, or mouth when someone breathes in droplets or touches their face with contaminated hands. Hence wearing proper PPE and hand washing is extremely important to break the chain.
Susceptible Host: Elderly residents with weak immune systems, chronic health issues who live close together in the home, and unvaccinated staff/visitors.

During the height of COVID-19, if even one link in this chain wasn’t controlled, for example, if someone forgot to change their mask, didn’t wash their hands, or entered a resident’s room without proper PPE, the virus could spread quickly to others. That’s why following every step of IPAC was so important in keeping both staff and residents safe.

Thank you!
Shivam Sharma