Question

Your paper for the course project should be a 2-3 page APA paper (not including title page and the reference page) that describes the clinical problem and the following:

You must use three (3) or more relevant sources; to ensure the readings are relevant and current, the selected peer-reviewed article must have been written within the past three (3) years.

Reason for choosing this topic (nosocomial Infection)

The PICOT question (Is hand washing effective against nosocomial Infection?)

Possible integration of the evidenced that you found in clinical practice

Methods to evaluate the effectiveness of implementation

Answer 1

NOSOCOMIAL INFECTIONS

Nosocomial infections are one of major concerning issues in every hospital setup. They are a big threat to the health of the patients and other staff members working in a hospital setting. This is why I have chosen nosocomial infection as my research topic.

DEFINITION: Nosocomial infections are also known as hospital acquired infections. Nosocomial infections are defined as any type of infections that develops in a patient during his stay or visit to the hospital which was not present before. The infection was associated with the healthcare setting.

PEOPLE WHO ARE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO NOSOCOMIAL INFECTIONS INCLUDE:

1. Immunocompromised patients

2. Patients with long stay in the hospital

3. Patients in ICU

4. Comatose patients

5. Elderly patients with weakened immune system

6. Patients receiving chemotherapy as chemotherapy reduces the body ability to fight infections

7. Patients who have undergone recent surgeries

8. Burn patients.

Nosocomial infections may be causes due to bacterias, viruses and fungi growing in the hospital environment. Sometimes the micro organisms harbouring on patient’s own skin or gut flora may cause infection in the patient.

The most common micro organisms leading to nosocomial infections include:

1. E.coli

2. Pseudomonas

3. Staph aureus

4. Candida albicans

5. MRSA

6. Tuberculosis

Most common hospital acquired infections include :

1. Urinary tract infections

2. Gastroenteritis

3. Pneumonia

4. Viral fever

5. Open wound infections

ROUTES OF NOSOCOMIAL INFECTION :

Nosocomial infection can transmit to patients through various modes. They may transmit through direct or indirect contact, droplet, airborne and vector borne.

1. Contact transmission : contact transmission may be direct or indirect.

Direct contact transmission includes person to person contact. It includes contact with the infected persons hands or skin surface. Nurses and doctors may spread the infections through infected and unclean hands.

Indirect contact transmission includes contact with infected objects like catheters, IV lines, masks and bags, gloves, infected linens.

2. Droplet transmission : due to infected droplets and secretions from other patients generated during coughing, sneezing or talking.

3. Airborne transmission through inhalation of air containing infected particles or microbes

4. Vector borne transmission : due to vectors like mosquitoes, flies and rats carrying the infections.

DIAGNOSIS :

The early diagnosis of nosocomial infection helps in early recovery of the patient.

The primary diagnosis is usually based on patients symptoms like fever, rash, itching.

Depending on symptoms laboratory tests like blood and urine analysis may be ordered.

TREATMENT :

Treatment includes antibiotics, hydration therapy and rest to the patient. Elimination of source of infection is necessary.

PREVENTION OF NOSOCOMIAL INFECTIONS

NOSOCOMIAL INFECTIONS
Nosocomial infections are one of major concerning issues in every hospital setup. They are a big threat to the health of the patients and other staff members working in a hospital setting. This is why I have chosen nosocomial infection as my research topic.

DEFINITION: Nosocomial infections are also known as hospital acquired infections. Nosocomial infections are defined as any type of infections that develops in a patient during his stay or visit to the hospital which was not present before. The infection was associated with the healthcare setting.

PEOPLE WHO ARE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO NOSOCOMIAL INFECTIONS INCLUDE:

1. Immunocompromised patients

2. Patients with long stay in the hospital

3. Patients in ICU

4. Comatose patients

5. Elderly patients with weakened immune system

6. Patients receiving chemotherapy as chemotherapy reduces the body ability to fight infections

7. Patients who have undergone recent surgeries

8. Burn patients.

Nosocomial infections may be causes due to bacterias, viruses and fungi growing in the hospital environment. Sometimes the micro organisms harbouring on patient’s own skin or gut flora may cause infection in the patient.

The most common micro organisms leading to nosocomial infections include:

1. E.coli

2. Pseudomonas

3. Staph aureus

4. Candida albicans

5. MRSA

6. Tuberculosis

Most common hospital acquired infections include :

1. Urinary tract infections

2. Gastroenteritis

3. Pneumonia

4. Viral fever

5. Open wound infections

ROUTES OF NOSOCOMIAL INFECTION :

Nosocomial infection can transmit to patients through various modes. They may transmit through direct or indirect contact, droplet, airborne and vector borne.

1. Contact transmission : contact transmission may be direct or indirect.

Direct contact transmission includes person to person contact. It includes contact with the infected persons hands or skin surface. Nurses and doctors may spread the infections through infected and unclean hands.

Indirect contact transmission includes contact with infected objects like catheters, IV lines, masks and bags, gloves, infected linens.

2. Droplet transmission : due to infected droplets and secretions from other patients generated during coughing, sneezing or talking.

3. Airborne transmission through inhalation of air containing infected particles or microbes

4. Vector borne transmission : due to vectors like mosquitoes, flies and rats carrying the infections.

DIAGNOSIS :

The early diagnosis of nosocomial infection helps in early recovery of the patient.

The primary diagnosis is usually based on patients symptoms like fever, rash, itching.

Depending on symptoms laboratory tests like blood and urine analysis may be ordered.

TREATMENT :

Treatment includes antibiotics, hydration therapy and rest to the patient. Elimination of source of infection is necessary.

PREVENTION OF NOSOCOMIAL INFECTIONS

Nosocomial infections can be prevented through preventing the infectitious microbes to develop in the hospital settings. this can be done through following proper guidelines and procedures on sterilization, disinfection, medical personnel hygiene, proper hand washing.

The preventive measures include :

1. strict rules for proper uniform and personal hygiene of hospital workers

2. maintainance of air quality

3. proper waste disposal management

4. hand hygiene

5. sterilization through ionizing radiation, chemicals or dry heat to sterilize the procedural equipments

6. isolation of patients with severe communicable diseases

7. ensuring proper use of personal protective equipments like gloves, masks and goggles. the gloves should be changed for each patient.

HAND HYGIENE

hand hygiene refers to washing of hands thoroughly and properly with the help of soap and water to clean dirt, microbes and pathogens capable of inducing the infections. hand washing is one of the major preventive measure which can avoid various infections. hand hygiene becomes all the more important in hospital environment. many doctors and healthcare professionals transmit infections by unhygienic hands.

hand hygiene includes washing of hands for atleast 15 to 20 seconds with soap and water. in the absence of soap and water, alcohol rub for 30 seconds can be used.

hands should be washed before and after seeing the patient and before putting on the gloves.

hands should be washed each time you see a patient.

method of hand wash is depicted in following diagram -

METHODS TO CHECK PROPER IMPLEMENTATION:

1. forming a committee in hospitals to make policies, implement and supervise methods to ensure hygienic hospital environment

2. strict rules and policies for uniform of hospital staff

3. reward and penalty system for maintaining a hygienic hospital environment

4. time to time checking and inspections on preventive measures for nosocomial infections

5. use of charts, posters and pamlet on hand hygiene and other preventive measures to increase awareness.