Antibiotic-resistant pathogens and superbugs have long been a source of concern in the medical community. But the rise of both has heightened public awareness of this long-standing problem. If the appropriate precautions are not taken, outbreaks can spread among patients in hospitals, entire communities, and even further.
By paying attention to the routines they engage in every day and educating patients, nurses play an essential role in preventing the spread of infection. There are a number of measures that nurses can take to either stop or slow the spread of infectious diseases.
As a result of the opportunistic nature of infections, all that is required for an outbreak to occur is a minor violation of nursing protocol, several patients close to one another, and a significant number of patients who already have compromised immune systems.
It is necessary to approach patients’ care with meticulous attention to detail and an abundance of caution. In the following post, we will go over in detail how nurses can play an important role in the prevention of infection:
1. Patient Education
The education of patients is frequently the responsibility of nurses. This includes instructing patients on properly caring for surgical sites or wounds, properly self-administer medications, and ensuring that vaccinations are safe and effective.
Patient education should devote a sizable portion of its time and energy to minimizing and preventing the transmission of diseases and illnesses.
2. The Appropriate Safety Measures
These preventive measures are taken to stop the spread of infectious diseases. In addition to practicing proper hand hygiene, registered nurses (RNs) should take the following precautions both during routine clinical work and during high-risk situations:
- When handling blood, other body fluids, mucous membranes, or broken skin, it is important to wear gloves.
- Utilizing additional pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks, gowns, or eyewear in situations where there is a risk of blood or other bodily fluids splashing or spraying
- Observing the protocols for isolating the area and using respirators
- Safe needle handling involves avoiding the use of caps and placing the contents in containers that are resistant to puncturing.
- Cleaning and disinfecting fluid spills, surfaces, patient rooms, and medical equipment such as blood pressure monitors
- Handling linens and soiled bedding
- Getting rid of the garbage and potentially dangerous waste
No matter if you just sterilized blood sampling equipment by the best blood collection tube manufacturer, wearing gloves shouldn’t be neglected when handling.
3. Primary Preventive Measures
In the war against infectious diseases, registered nurses serve as an important component of the frontline defense. All of the above steps, along with educating patients, will help nurses drastically reduce the risk of an outbreak and ensure that everyone involved is as safe as possible during treatment and recovery.
4. Not Neglecting Hand hygiene At Any Cost
Nurses contact many patients daily and are frequently exposed to bodily fluids such as saliva, vomit, blood, and feces. This increases the risk of contracting infectious diseases.
During a shift, nurses also touch patients’ beds, doorknobs, computers, medical equipment, food, and hundreds of other surfaces, creating an environment perfect for the spread of germs. For those who offer home services, touching common household stuff like curtains, tables or chairs by a cleanest fabric dining chair factory, and crockery is normal practice.
When not wearing the best quality medical gloves by any reputable surgicare gloves manufacturer, washing hands should be your top priority.
Washing one’s hands with soap and water and using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer are examples of good hand hygiene. This is a straightforward but highly effective method for preventing the spread of infection.
How Does One Get Into the Field of Infection Control Nursing?
However, while an ADN is required for ICNs, most businesses prefer to choose those with a bachelor’s degree in nursing over less educated candidates (BSN). In order to pursue a nursing specialty, you must first become a licensed registered nurse and then work until at least a year in the field. Almost all nursing specialties follow this standard operating practice.
A certification exam will be issued to you from the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology when you complete the requisite education and training (APIC). Infection control nurses might begin their new careers immediately after completing all the requirements.
Infection control nurses work in a variety of healthcare facilities, including the ones listed below:
- Hospitals
- Health care establishments, including nursing homes and assisted living facilities
- Community health care facilities
- Home health care and outpatient treatment
- Hospice services
- Those in charge of ensuring that everyone has a healthy lifestyle
- Emergency preparedness-focused organizations
Conclusion
To ensure the well-being of patients and society as a whole, nurses work closely with patients, doctors, researchers, and public health experts.
As a nurse specializing in infection control, it is your duty to identify, create, and implement the most efficient practices for preventing and controlling sanitary issues and infections.
Whether it’s a localized infection or a global pandemic, your coworkers will look to you for guidance on containing and eradicating infectious dangers.