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Importance of hand hygiene in hospitals
Importance of hand hygiene in hospitals
Infection prevention at a hospital setting
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“The intensive care unit (ICU) often is called the epicenter of infections, due to its extremely vulnerable population (reduced host defences deregulating the immune responses) and increased risk of becoming infected through multiple procedures and use of invasive devices distorting the anatomical integrity-protective barriers of patients (intubation, mechanical ventilation, vascular access, etc.)” (Brusselaers,Vogelaers, & Blot, 2011). The purpose of this paper is to develop a research question regarding the prevention of spreading bacteria in ICU and to identify databases and search words to collect data by using the continuum of data, information, knowledge, and wisdom . Also, I will describe how informatics can be used to gain wisdom.
Clinical Research Question and Metastructures: Data, Information, Knowledge, and Wisdom
The key to conducting successful clinical research involves five steps. These steps are: “asking answerable clinical questions, searching for the evidence, critically appraising the evidence for its validity and relevance, making a decision by integrating the evidence with your clinical expertise and the patient’s values, and evaluating your performance” (Heneghan, & Badenoch, 2006, p.2). To develop my research question I used the evidence- based model PICO. PICO stands for: P ( Problem: high infection rate by the spread of bacteria in ICU), I (Intervention: hand washing with soap and water or the use of hand sanitizer), C (Comparison: the use of gloves, gown, mask), O (Outcome: reduction of infection due to the spread of bacteria). With these elements as refrence I formulated the question: Is the use of soap and water or alcohol-based rubs more effective than the use of protective gear (gloves, mask, ...
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...and most current nursing and allied health literature. Retrieved from: http://www.ebscohost.com/nursing/products/cinahl-databases/cinahl- complete
Heneghan,C., Badenoch, D., (2006). Evidence-Based Medicine Toolkit. 2nd ed. Oxford: BMJ Books.
Brusselaers, N., Vogelaers, D., Blot, S. (2011). The rising problem of antimicrobial resistance in the intensive care unit.Annals of Intensive Care, (1)47. Doi:10.1186/2110-5820-1-47
McGonigle, D., Garver, K., (2012). Nursing Informatics and the Foundation of Knowledge. Burlington, MA: Laureate Education Inc.
National Center for Biotechnology Information (US). (2005).PubMed Help: NCBI Help Manual. Retrieved from:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK3830/
The Cochrane Library. (2013). About Cochrane Systematic Reviews and Protocols. Retrieved from http://www.thecochranelibrary.com/view/0/AboutCochraneSystematicReviews.html
Antimicrobial therapy is the cornerstone sepsis treatment, and the therapeutic goal should be centered around administration of effective IV antibiotics within 60 minutes of septic shock or severe sepsis (without shock) recognition. The initial antimicrobial therapy should be empiric and focused on having activity against all expected pathogens (bacterial, fungal, viral), based on each individual patient situation. Daily reassessment of antimicrobial therapy should be performed, with de escalation in mind; procalcitonin levels can be of use to direct discontinuation in patients with no evidence of infection following initial septic
However, increasing antibiotic resistance patterns among intensive care unit pathogens, cultivated by empiric-broad spectrum antibiotic regimens, characterizes the variable concerns. Recent literature point that antibiotic use before the development of VAP is associated with increased risk for potentially resistant gran-negative infections and Methcillin-resistant Staphylococcus auereus (MRSA)
Working as a professional registered nurse in the hospital, I realized how nurses struggle to find balance between devoting the time charting on the computer and spending time taking care of the patients. Moreover, I’ve seen nurses where they get discouraged trying to find this balance between patients and charting. As a bedside nurse, I would love nothing, but to tend to the needs of my patients. The length of time consume on electronic charting all day, take the very essence of bedside nursing away from nurses, which is caring. Reducing the time of nurses being occupied on charting by eliminating redundant tasks while conforming to their standard, are the changes I would like to make. These are a few of the reasons why I wanted to pursue a degree in informatics. I would advocate for nurses everywhere and to become an instrument in providing them a better electronic health system to work on. Pursuing the degree in nursing informatics will benefit me in
Capriotti & Frizzell (2016) explain that sepsis is often seen in those who have a weak immune system. These individuals are at an increased risk of developing sepsis from microorganisms that a healthy immune system would normally fight off (Capriotti et al. 2016). The elderly, infants, and immunosuppressed patients are the most at risk for developing the condition (Capriotti et al. 2016). Sepsis can be caused by any microbe, but is most often caused by bacteria (Capriotti et al. 2016). Since sepsis has such a broad reach and can develop as a secondary infection after an initial injury or illness, Capriotti & Frizzell (2016) further explain the di...
Nurses should take a leading role in reducing the impact of disease on patients and influence the expansion of evidence based infection prevention practice. Antimicrobial resistance prevention must remain a huge priority. In times of opposing priorities concerning patient safety, progress has been made in undertaking these bacteria’s and infections. The outlook of a near future without helpful antibiotics should not be dismissed, and all us in positions of influence should encourage and educate the conscientious use of antimicrobials seriously and do what we can to stop the situation from spreading.
There are certain aspects and competencies common to role of the nurse practitioner (NP), nurse educator (NE), nurse informatics (NI), and nurse administrator (NA). All four roles act as leaders within the health care organizations depending on their designated areas of duty. Their input is needed to keep the health care institution running. To assume their roles, NP, NE, NI, and NA require some education and credential from nursing perspective or other related experiences.
In clinical experience, it is seen that many patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) are on mechanical ventilation. These patients range from having head trauma, heart surgery and respiratory problems yet there is no clear, concise systematic standard oral care procedures noted on the different floors in the hospital. Oral care is a basic nursing care activity that can provide relief, comfort and prevention of microbial growth yet is given low priority when compared to other critical practices in critically ill patients. The Center for Disease Control reveals that Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP) is the second most common nosocomial infection that affects approximately 27% of critically ill patients (Koeman, Van der Ven & Hak, 2006). The purpose of this paper is to explore Lewin’s change theory in the clinical setting by implementing standard oral care on preventing VAP thereby improving patient care.
Neonatal intensive care units are normally thought as a safe place for a neonatal to be, but there are instances where the neonatal develops an infection in their fragile bodies. This paper examines the ways that they could develop infections that harm them. The ANA states, “individuals who become nurses are expected to adhere to the ideals and morals norms of the profession and also to embrace them as a part of what it means to be a nurse.” (Code of Ethics, n.d.). German NICUs participated in a study of very low birth weight infants (VLBW) from 2006-2011 and found that an outbreak of severe neonatal infection occurred within a period of time in the same center in four different patients (Schwab, 2014).
This literature review will analyze and critically explore four studies that have been conducted on hand hygiene compliance rates by Healthcare workers (HCWs). Firstly, it will look at compliance rates for HCWs in the intensive care units (ICU) and then explore the different factors that contribute to low hand hygiene compliance. Hospital Acquired infections (HAI) or Nosocomial Infections appear worldwide, affecting both developed and poor countries. HAIs represent a major source of morbidity and mortality, especially for patients in the ICU (Hugonnet, Perneger, & Pittet, 2002). Hand hygiene can be defined as any method that destroys or removes microorganisms on hands (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2009). According to the World Health Organization (2002), a HAI can be defined as an infection occurring in a patient in a hospital or other health care facility in whom the infection was not present or incubating at the time of admission. The hands of HCWs transmit majority of the endemic infections. As
Information Systems/Technology and patient care technology for the improvement and transformation of health care is an important part of the DNP. Technology has transformed every aspect of human life in positive ways. Technology brought efficiency and improved healthcare deliverance system. Healthcare technologies enabled practitioners to better understand disease process and how to implement best treatment plan. DNP programs across the country embrace information systems and technology in their nursing curriculum because, it prepares nursing students to be innovative and deliver best care (AACN, 2006). DNP graduates must have the ability to use technology to analyze and disseminate critical information to find solutions that
One of the most significant current discussions in nursing evidence-based practice is the effectiveness of hand hygiene interventions in reducing hospital-acquired infections. Much debate continues into the uncertainty that exists between the correlation of interventions and increased hand hygiene practices. This essay critically examines the relationship between interventions and the dubious increase in hand hygiene compliance by healthcare professionals by using the framework of evidence based practice to evaluate previous literature, identify barriers and note mechanisms used to measure effectiveness of interventions.
(2014) shed light on two key components for infection control, which includes protecting patients from acquiring infections and protecting health care workers from becoming infected (Curchoe et al., 2014). The techniques that are used to protect patients also provide protection for nurses and other health care workers alike. In order to prevent the spread of infections, it is important for health care workers to be meticulous and attentive when providing care to already vulnerable patients (Curchoe et al., 2014). If a health care worker is aware they may contaminate the surroundings of a patient, they must properly clean, disinfect, and sterilize any contaminated objects in order to reduce or eliminate microorganisms (Curchoe et al., 2014). It is also ideal to change gloves after contact with contaminated secretions and before leaving a patient’s room (Curchoe, 2014). Research suggests that due to standard precaution, gloves must be worn as a single-use item for each invasive procedure, contact with sterile sites, and non-intact skin or mucous membranes (Curchoe et al., 2014). Hence, it is critical that health care workers change gloves during any activity that has been assessed as carrying a risk of exposure to body substances, secretions, excretions, and blood (Curchoe et al.,
Secondary:Curtis, L. (2008). Prevention of hospital-acquired infections: review of non-pharmacological interventions. Journal of Hospital Infection, 69(3), 204-219. Revised 01/20
This article overall purpose is to inform the importance of knowledge and practice of effective hand hygiene and hand care to prevent or reduce cross-contamination from healthcare personnel to patients (HCP). As the article’s author expressed at the introduction “ Healthcare-acquired infections are a major source of illness and death in hospitalized patients, and approximately 20%-40% of these infections are a result of cross-infection via the hands of healthcare personnel” (Eve Cuny 1)
Nursing informatics is a branch of nursing or area of specialty that concentrates on finding ways to improve data management and communication in nursing with the sole objective of improving efficiency, reduction of health costs and enhancement of the quality of patient care (Murphy, 2010). It is a growing area of nursing specialty that combines computer science, information technology and nursing science in the management and processing of nursing information, data and knowledge with the sole objective of supporting nursing practice and research. Various nursing theorists have formulated various theoretical frameworks or models related to nursing informatics (Wager, Lee, & Glaser, 2013). They are defined as a cluster of related concepts or ideas that establish actions that act as major guidelines in nursing informatics to issues related to the central concept of data, information and knowledge. Some of the theories that inform and assist in the framing of nursing informatics include Turley's nursing informatics model, Goossen’s framework for nursing informatics research and Staggers & Parks’ nurse-computer interaction framework (Elkind, 2009).