What is Infection Control?
Infection control refers to the policies and procedures used to minimize the risk of spreading infections, particularly in hospitals and healthcare facilities. It involves a combination of measures, including hand hygiene, personal protective equipment (PPE), sterilization, and environmental cleaning, all aimed at preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
Why is Infection Control Important in Nursing?
Nurses are on the front lines of patient care and play a critical role in preventing the spread of infections. Effective infection control protocols help protect both patients and healthcare workers from infectious diseases, reduce healthcare costs, and improve patient outcomes.
What are Standard Precautions?
Standard precautions are the basic level of infection control that should be used in the care of all patients, regardless of their diagnosis or infection status. These include:
- Hand Hygiene: Regular and thorough washing of hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- PPE: Use of gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection to prevent exposure to infectious agents.
- Respiratory Hygiene/Cough Etiquette: Covering mouth and nose with a tissue or elbow when coughing or sneezing, and proper disposal of tissues.
- Safe Injection Practices: Using sterile needles and syringes for each injection.
- Environmental Cleaning: Regular cleaning and disinfection of surfaces and medical equipment.
What are Transmission-Based Precautions?
Transmission-based precautions are additional infection control measures used for patients known or suspected to be infected with highly transmissible or epidemiologically important pathogens. These include:
- Contact Precautions: Used for infections spread by direct or indirect contact with the patient or their environment. This involves wearing gloves and gowns.
- Droplet Precautions: Used for infections spread through large respiratory droplets. This includes wearing a mask when within a certain distance of the patient.
- Airborne Precautions: Used for infections spread through small airborne particles. This involves the use of N95 respirators and placing patients in a negative pressure room.
1. Wet hands with water.
2. Apply enough soap to cover all hand surfaces.
3. Rub hands palm to palm.
4. Rub back of each hand with palm of other hand with fingers interlaced.
5. Rub palm to palm with fingers interlaced.
6. Rub each thumb and each wrist.
7. Rinse hands with water.
8. Dry thoroughly with a single-use towel.
9. Use the towel to turn off the faucet.
Alternatively, if using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, apply enough product to cover all surfaces of hands and rub until dry.
- Gloves: Protect hands from getting contaminated.
- Gowns: Protect skin and clothing.
- Masks: Protect mouth and nose from droplets.
- Eye Protection: Protect eyes from splashes.
- Face Shields: Provide full face protection.
- Regular Cleaning: Routine cleaning of patient rooms, bathrooms, and common areas.
- Disinfection: Use of approved disinfectants on frequently touched surfaces and medical equipment.
- Proper Waste Disposal: Safe disposal of medical and hazardous waste.
- Laundry Protocols: Proper handling and laundering of contaminated linens.
- Compliance: Ensuring that all healthcare workers consistently follow protocols.
- Resource Limitations: Limited availability of PPE and disinfectants, especially in low-resource settings.
- Emerging Pathogens: New infectious agents for which protocols may not yet be established.
- Antibiotic Resistance: Infections caused by multi-drug resistant organisms that are harder to treat.
Conclusion
Infection control is a fundamental aspect of nursing practice. By adhering to established protocols, nurses can significantly reduce the risk of HAIs, protect themselves, and provide safer care to their patients. Continuous education, vigilance, and adherence to guidelines are essential in maintaining effective infection control.
