Why is Infection Control Important in Nursing?
Infection control is crucial in nursing to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and protect both patients and healthcare workers. Effective infection control measures can significantly reduce the risk of hospital-acquired infections, which can lead to severe complications, prolonged hospital stays, and increased healthcare costs.
What are Standard Precautions?
Standard precautions are a set of infection control practices used to prevent the transmission of diseases that can be acquired by contact with blood, body fluids, non-intact skin, and mucous membranes. These precautions include:
- Hand hygiene
- Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection
- Respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette
- Safe injection practices
- Proper handling of potentially contaminated equipment or surfaces
How Should Hand Hygiene be Performed?
Hand hygiene is one of the most effective measures to prevent the spread of infections. It can be performed using either alcohol-based hand rubs or soap and water. Nurses should:
- Use alcohol-based hand rubs for routine hand antisepsis.
- Wash hands with soap and water when they are visibly dirty, after using the restroom, and before eating.
- Follow the WHO’s “Five Moments for Hand Hygiene” which include before touching a patient, before clean/aseptic procedures, after body fluid exposure/risk, after touching a patient, and after touching patient surroundings.
- Wearing gloves when there is a potential for contact with blood, body fluids, mucous membranes, or non-intact skin.
- Using gowns to protect skin and clothing during procedures or activities where contact with blood or body fluids is anticipated.
- Wearing masks and eye protection to protect the mouth, nose, and eyes during activities that are likely to generate splashes or sprays of blood or body fluids.
- Educate patients and visitors about covering their mouth and nose with a tissue or elbow when coughing or sneezing.
- Provide tissues and no-touch disposal bins.
- Offer masks to patients with respiratory symptoms and encourage them to maintain a safe distance from others.
- Using aseptic technique when preparing and administering injections.
- Using single-dose vials whenever possible.
- Ensuring that needles, syringes, and other injection equipment are never reused or shared.
- Follow manufacturer’s recommendations for cleaning and disinfecting medical equipment.
- Use appropriate disinfectants to clean surfaces that are likely to be contaminated with pathogens.
- Ensure that reusable equipment is appropriately cleaned and disinfected between uses.
- Contact precautions for infections spread by direct or indirect contact, such as MRSA or C. difficile. This includes wearing gloves and gowns and ensuring proper room cleaning.
- Droplet precautions for infections spread by large respiratory droplets, such as influenza. This includes wearing surgical masks and possibly eye protection.
- Airborne precautions for infections spread by small droplets or particles, such as tuberculosis. This includes using N95 respirators and placing the patient in a negative pressure room.
Conclusion
Infection control is a fundamental aspect of nursing practice, requiring a comprehensive approach that includes standard precautions, proper hand hygiene, use of PPE, respiratory hygiene, safe injection practices, and appropriate handling of contaminated equipment. By adhering to these measures, nurses can play a critical role in preventing the spread of infections and ensuring a safe environment for both patients and healthcare workers.
