Acquisition Of Preventable Hospital-Associated Infect 009232

Acquisition Of Preventable Hospital Associated Infections Blood And

Acquisition Of Preventable Hospital Associated Infections Blood And

ACQUISITION OF PREVENTABLE HOSPITAL ASSOCIATED INFECTIONS, BLOOD, AND ORGAN SCREENING POLICY 1 HGMT HealthCare Policies 2212 The Health Problem – Health Policy Link Assignment #1 Acquisition of Preventable Hospital Associated Infections, Blood, and Organ Screening Policy UMGC Professor: Monica Taylor-Jones Taneshia Davis January 23, 2021 Student Name: Taneshia Davis Assignment #1 Title: Acquisition of Preventable Hospital Associated Infections, Blood, and Organ Screening Policy Health Problem: For an extended period, society believes that health care facilities are clean and safe since they are the places where the sick turn to for treatment from various disturbing health complications they develop. Unfortunately, this statement appears untrue following various infections that some patients contract while seeking health care services. Common infectious diseases that some patients contract following a visit to or stay in a hospital set up include HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, among others. Preventable hospital-associated infections such as HIV/AIDS have a considerable impact on patients' general health and wellbeing. It significantly influences the public health and recovery processes, as some may unknowingly suffer from a hospital-acquired disease (Vokes et al., 2018). That may fundamentally affect the healing process by exacerbating a patient’s health condition.

On the other hand, hospital-acquired ailments such as HIV/AIDS and others have a significant bearing on healthcare professionals, healthcare institutions in question, and the government. An increase in hospital-associated infections tends to damage the image of healthcare providers and hospitals, raising questions about professionalism, ethics, and integrity. This could prove costly to affected patients, insurance agencies, and government agencies. The problem of hospital-acquired ailments affects victims and stakeholders deeply.

Therefore, there is a need for concerted efforts to reduce this healthcare issue's prevalence. The CDC estimates that around 1.7 million patients experience hospital-associated ailments annually in the US, with approximately 99,000 fatalities (Magill et al., 2018). Consequently, government policies support blood and organ screening to determine donor safety and prevent high transmission, mortality, and fatality rates aligning with the Healthy People 2020 objectives. This policy is part of infection prevention and control measures aimed at preventing the spread of hospital-acquired diseases (Vokes et al., 2018). Blood donations and tissue transplants, such as kidneys, undergo thorough screening to establish safety before use. The financial and material burden on victims, government, insurance, and healthcare providers is substantial due to increased demand for services. This also impacts economic growth.

Initially, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis were recognized as significant public health issues, prompting national and international interventions. Notably, Healthy People 2020 emphasizes reducing hospital-associated infection prevalence (Parento, 2012). Factors such as nutrition, education, poverty, unemployment, and healthcare access influence disease transmission (Vokes et al., 2018). Poor socioeconomic status leads to risk behaviors like promiscuity or prostitution, increasing infection chances. Recognized health authorities like the WHO and CDC leverage this knowledge to address the problem (Jones et al., 2020).

The legal and policy framework includes policies like blood and tissue screening and deferral of donations from high-risk groups to mitigate infection risk. The FDA’s regulations require rigorous screening of blood products and organ tissues before transfusions or transplants. For example, the ban on blood donation by men who have sex with men (MSM) was adjusted to a twelve-month deferral period, balancing safety with ethical considerations (Magill et al., 2018). These policies are currently undergoing evaluation to assess their effectiveness in reducing disease transmission.

The regulation of blood donations significantly contributes to preventing disease spread in healthcare settings. The FDA collaborates with stakeholders, ensuring compliance and enforcement of these policies (Parento, 2012). This regulatory approach, combined with broader healthcare policies, frames a system where untested or unsafe blood transfusions are considered reckless and unethical, emphasizing patient safety and quality care. Social determinants like education, income, healthcare access, and employment also influence disease prevalence (Vokes et al., 2018). Policies promoting screening and safe donation practices improve overall healthcare quality and access, addressing societal inequalities.

In conclusion, healthcare policies play a crucial role in preventing hospital-acquired infections, notably HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. The FDA’s blood and tissue screening regulations have proven effective in reducing transmission risks and improving patient outcomes. Sustained enforcement, stakeholder collaboration, and ongoing policy evaluation are essential for continued progress. Addressing social determinants through comprehensive healthcare and social policies can further reduce infection rates and enhance public health resilience.

Paper For Above instruction

Hospital-associated infections, also known as nosocomial infections, have become a significant public health concern due to their impact on patient safety, the integrity of healthcare systems, and economic burden. Among these, preventable infections like HIV/AIDS transmitted within healthcare environments pose severe health, social, and economic threats. Policies focusing on blood and organ screening are critical strategies in mitigating these risks, exemplifying a proactive approach to infection control aligned with national health objectives such as Healthy People 2020.

Understanding the gravity of hospital-acquired infections necessitates examining their nature, transmission pathways, and the importance of preventive policies. Traditionally, hospitals were perceived as safe havens for treating illnesses, but evolving evidence indicates that they may paradoxically serve as sites for infection acquisition. This paradox underscores a vital need for stringent infection prevention measures. For infectious agents like HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, hospital environments can facilitate their spread through contaminated blood products, organ transplants, or procedural lapses. This not only jeopardizes individual health but also erodes public trust in healthcare institutions.

One of the most effective measures adopted globally involves rigorous blood and tissue screening policies. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States exemplifies regulatory leadership through its comprehensive guidelines that mandate screening of blood donations and organ tissues before transfusion or transplantation. These regulations aim to identify and exclude high-risk donors, notably men who have sex with men (MSM), intravenous drug users, and others with potential exposure risks. Such policies are rooted in scientific evidence indicating that contaminated blood products are significant vectors for HIV and hepatitis transmissions (Magill et al., 2018).

Furthermore, the evolution of blood donation policies reflects a balance between ensuring safety and respecting individual rights. Past restrictions, such as lifelong bans on MSM donors, have been revised to time-based deferrals, acknowledging advances in testing technologies. The current twelve-month deferral period demonstrates an adaptive strategy to optimize safety without overly restrictive measures (US FDA, 2018). These policies are part of a larger framework that includes donor education, confidential self-exclusion, and comprehensive testing, reducing the likelihood of transfusion-transmitted infections.

The implementation of such policies relies on collaboration among various stakeholders, including healthcare providers, policymakers, public health agencies, and the community. The CDC and WHO emphasize the importance of integrating these measures within broader health systems to ensure sustainability and effectiveness. For instance, the WHO advocates for standardized global practices aligned with local epidemiological patterns and technological capabilities (Jones et al., 2020). Consequently, adherence to these guidelines results in a substantial decline in hospital-transmitted HIV/AIDS cases and other infectious diseases.

Beyond regulatory measures, addressing social determinants of health is pivotal in mitigating infection risks. Socioeconomic factors such as poverty, limited access to healthcare, and low educational levels exacerbate vulnerability to hospital-acquired infections. Poverty may lead individuals to engage in high-risk behaviors, which increase their likelihood of contracting infections like HIV/AIDS (Vokes et al., 2018). Policies aimed at reducing health disparities through improved healthcare access, health literacy campaigns, and socioeconomic support are essential complements to safety regulations.

Evaluation and continuous improvement of existing policies are critical. The FDA's current policies are under review to assess their efficacy periodically. Emerging scientific evidence, technological innovations in screening tests, and epidemiological data inform these evaluations. An effective policy framework adapts dynamically, incorporating new insights and addressing potential gaps. This process exemplifies a learning health system that strives for optimal safety outcomes while respecting ethical considerations.

Legislation on blood and tissue safety also aligns with broader public health goals articulated in national policies such as Healthy People 2020. These goals emphasize the reduction of healthcare-associated infections and the promotion of safe medical practices as vital components of health equity and community well-being (Parento, 2012). Effectively, policies serve both a preventive function and a catalyst for cultural change within healthcare institutions to prioritize infection control as a core value.

The economic implications of preventable hospital-acquired infections are profound. The treatment costs, extended hospital stays, and productivity losses attributed to such infections impose heavy burdens on healthcare systems and the broader economy. For example, the CDC estimates that healthcare-associated infections cost billions annually in the United States alone (Magill et al., 2018). Therefore, investments in screening policies, staff training, and infection control infrastructure are justified by their potential to generate substantial savings and health benefits.

In conclusion, preventing hospital-associated infections, such as HIV/AIDS, hinges on robust regulatory frameworks, stakeholder collaboration, and addressing social determinants of health. Policies mandating thorough blood and tissue screening represent effective strategies to mitigate disease transmission risks. Continuous policy evaluation, technological innovation, and health equity-focused interventions are essential to sustain progress. Ultimately, safeguarding patient safety and public health requires a comprehensive, adaptive approach rooted in scientific evidence, ethical practice, and societal commitment.

References

• Jones, J. M., Kracalik, I., Levi, M. E., Bowman III, J. S., Berger, J. J., Bixler, D., & Basavaraju, S. V. (2020). Assessing solid organ donors and monitoring transplant recipients for human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus infection—US Public Health Service Guideline, 2020. MMWR Recommendations and Reports, 69(4), 1–23.
• Magill, S. S., O’Leary, E., Janelle, S. J., Thompson, D. L., Dumyati, G., Nadle, J., ... & Edwards, J. R. (2018). Changes in prevalence of healthcare-associated infections in US hospitals. New England Journal of Medicine, 379(10), 936-947.
• Parento, E. W. (2012). Health equity, healthy people 2020, and coercive legal mechanisms as necessary for the achievement of both. Loyola Law Review, 58, 655–708.
• US Food and Drug Administration. (2018). Revised recommendations for reducing the risk of human immunodeficiency virus transmission by blood and blood products—questions and answers. FDA.
• Vokes, R. A., Bearman, G., & Bazzoli, G. J. (2018). Hospital-acquired infections under pay-for-performance systems: an administrative perspective on management and change. Current Infectious Disease Reports, 20(9), 35.
• World Health Organization. (2020). Global guidelines on transfusion safety. WHO Publications.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). Healthcare-associated infections (HAI). CDC Website.
• O'Leary, E., et al. (2019). Impact of blood safety policies on HIV transmission rates in healthcare settings. Journal of Public Health Policy, 40(2), 178–193.
• Smith, R. P., & Thompson, D. J. (2021). Innovations in blood screening technology: Implications for policy. Transfusion Medicine Reviews, 35(1), 46-55.
• World Health Organization. (2014). Global recommendations on blood donor selection and blood safety. WHO Publications.