Issues Associated With the Controlling of Infection in a Healthcare Setting

¶ … Infection Control

Question 1; Describe different types of infection control precautions. Why is it important to follow infection control guidelines? Describe the importance of hand washing.

Infection control requires strategies that will prevent the movement of potential infections from one source to a new source. Different types of infection control precautions may be undertaken. The primary approaches include hand hygiene, including washing, as well as the use of alcohol gel, the process that will prevent the transfer of infection by eliminating harmful bacteria and viruses (CDC, 2011). Infection control also requires attention patients to be minimised through the cleaning and sterilisation of any equipment and resources that come into contact with patients, for example scissors. The cleaning of equipment also applies to the general cleaning of the healthcare environment, to avoid potential buildup of dust which may harbour harmful microbes, as well as sterilisation specialised equipment, such as respiratory equipment, surgical equipment and theatre environments (CDC, 2011).

Barriers may also be used as infection control precautions, this may include the use of personal protective equipment, from simple facemasks and gloves, through to goggles and face shields, as well as fully enclosed biohazard suits which can protect susceptible patients and highly contagious situations may also protect staff by creating a barrier between the contagion and the susceptible individual (Waeckerle et al. 2001).

The precautions for the different types of infection control should not only be in terms of the content, but also the procedures needed for implementing their use, so it is undertaken in a consistent universal manner, reducing the potential for deviation from best practice. This will also include effective role allocation and communication to ensure full understanding, as well as monitoring for compliance. Therefore, infection control precautions include not only the physical requirements associated with preventing contact between susceptible individuals potential sources that, in writing, by use of a barrier, but also the procedures and processes that control and monitor those processes.

2. Why is it important to use proper body mechanics when turning a patient?

Body mechanics refers to the way in which individuals move during normal daily activities, undertaking effective body mechanics, such as bending knees and hips rather than waste, standing with feet slightly apart, and keeping backs straight, can help to avoid harm or injury (anonymous, 2015). When turning a patient, the utilisation of proper body mechanics provides a number of benefits, as well as helping to protect the individual turning the patient, it will also maximise the potential safety of the manoeuvre, and therefore safety for the patient being turned. Therefore, the properties of body mechanics should be utilised to safeguard the health and safety of both patient and nurse. For example, an individual turning a patient is less likely to slip, and release a patient, if they are firmly stood on the ground with feet apart, and can more stably carry the weight of the patient with a straight back. Likewise, they are less likely to suffer a strain themselves. Notably, the use of proper body mechanics should also be utilised in line with normal safety procedures for turning patients, which may require the use of more than one member of staff.

3. List the personal equipment needed to be worn by the nurse to provide direct care to a patient on contact precautions.

Personal equipment needed by a nurse providing care to a patient on contact precautions will include. Notably, different types of pathogen may spread in different ways, precaution categories vary across contact, drop, everyone precautions. The following equipment is suitable for contact precautions (Lippincott Nursing Center, 2015).