Professional Nursing Module 05 Written Assignment C

Nur2349 Professional Nursing Imodule 05 Written Assignment Care Plan

Respond to this critical thinking question: Describe evidence-based precautions to prevent this client from obtaining a nosocomial infection. Provide supporting rationales. Support your response with evidence from credible sources.

Paper For Above instruction

Nosocomial infections, also known as healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), are infections that patients acquire during the course of receiving healthcare treatment for other conditions. Preventing these infections is a fundamental component of nursing practice. Evidence-based precautions are essential to minimize the risk of infection transmission within healthcare settings and protect vulnerable clients.

One of the primary evidence-based precautions to prevent nosocomial infections is strict adherence to hand hygiene protocols. The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes hand hygiene as the most effective measure to prevent the spread of pathogens (WHO, 2009). Proper handwashing with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand sanitizers significantly reduces the microbial load on clinicians’ hands, preventing cross-contamination between patients (Boyce & Pittet, 2002). Regular hand hygiene before and after patient contact is mandated by numerous infection control guidelines globally, such as those from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2022).

In addition to hand hygiene, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE)—including gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection—is evidence-based to prevent transmission of infectious agents, particularly during procedures with a risk of exposure to blood or other bodily fluids (Siegel et al., 2007). Proper donning and doffing procedures are crucial to avoid contamination; training healthcare workers regularly in PPE use enhances compliance and reduces infection rates (Li et al., 2010).

Environmental cleaning and disinfection constitute another critical precaution. Pathogens can persist on surfaces and medical equipment, facilitating transmission. CDC guidelines recommend routine cleaning of patient environments with EPA-registered disinfectants effective against common healthcare pathogens such as Clostridioides difficile, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and others (CDC, 2022). Ensuring proper sterilization of reusable medical equipment and disposable items further reduces infection risk (Carling et al., 2018).

Avoiding unnecessary invasive procedures also aligns with evidence-based practices to prevent HAIs. When invasive devices like catheters or ventilators are used, strict aseptic techniques, including sterile insertion and maintenance protocols, are essential. Evidence indicates that limiting the duration of device use and adherence to maintenance protocols significantly reduce device-associated infections (Chatterjee et al., 2017).

Vaccinations of healthcare personnel and patients are vital components of infection prevention strategies. Immunizations against influenza, hepatitis B, and, more recently, COVID-19, lower the risk of pathogen transmission within healthcare settings (Hedin et al., 2020). Staff vaccination also contributes to herd immunity, protecting vulnerable client populations.

In conclusion, evidence-based precautions to prevent nosocomial infections include rigorous hand hygiene, appropriate use of PPE, environmental cleaning and disinfection, sterile aseptic techniques during invasive procedures, and vaccination of healthcare workers and clients. Implementing these measures systematically, supported by credible research and guidelines, significantly reduces the incidence of HAIs and enhances patient safety.

References

  • Boyce, J. M., & Pittet, D. (2002). Guideline for Hand Hygiene in Health-Care Settings. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 51(RR-16), 1-45.
  • Carling, P. C., et al. (2018). Strategies to Improve Environmental Hygiene in Healthcare Facilities. American Journal of Infection Control, 46, 1020-1028.
  • Chatterjee, S., et al. (2017). Reducing device-associated infections through aseptic techniques. Journal of Hospital Infection, 95(4), 385–392.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022). Infection Control Guidelines. https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/index.html
  • Hedin, U., et al. (2020). Vaccination and infection prevention strategies in healthcare. Journal of Infectious Diseases, 222(Suppl 2), S97–S104.
  • Li, L., et al. (2010). Impact of PPE training on infection control compliance. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, 31(2), 150–155.
  • Siegel, J. D., et al. (2007). Guidelines for Isolation Precautions: Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings. CDC.
  • World Health Organization (WHO). (2009). WHO guidelines on hand hygiene in health care. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241597906

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