Infection control at hospitals is very essential as hospital-acquired infections also increases mortality rate. Unfortunately, it is one of the most devalued and under supported part of healthcare infrastructure. Nurses working in hospitals are more vulnerable to contagious diseases, as they often come in contact with seriously ill patients. They have to take certain measures in order to protect themselves and also preventing transmission of diseases from one patient to another. Infection control procedures include recognizing the factors responsible for causing the infection and taking preventive measures to control them.
Asepsis
One of the best methods to control infection is adapting aseptic technique, which includes keeping all the surgical and medical interventions sterile so that infection cannot be transmitted.
Hand Hygiene
It is universally accepted as the most important activity to prevent infections in hospitals. It is very important to decontaminate hands before making any direct contact with the patients. Some prefer alcohol-containing sanitizers to the soaps but dirty hands should be washed thoroughly with soap and water and then dried. Moreover, personal hygiene of hands is of great significance as it further increases the efficiency of decontamination. All the hospitals have adequate hand washing facilities in all patient areas and treatment rooms typically to be used by nurses.
Short, Clean and Polish Free Nails
Women are very fond of applying attractive nail paints and keeping long nails. But all these should be avoided at the workplace as long nails can become a convenient way of transmitting infections as it contains dirt and patient remains in them, hence good origin of bacterial growth. Thus, it is required to keep nails short and clean to prevent from contamination.
Use Personal Protective Equipment
Personal protective equipments include disposable gloves, aprons, masks, shoe covers and eye protectors. Such equipment are required to prevent cross infections. Nurses are expected to wear gloves while coming in contact with blood and bodily fluids
Safe Disposal of Sharp Equipments
Sharp equipments such as needles and scalpels must be disposed safely as the injuries due to these may lead to Hepatitis B, C and even HIV diseases.
Safe Handling of Chemical Wastes
Waste should be disposed safely and a particular color coding of bags should be used for waste dumping. Hospitals keep the waste separate that can be recycled.
Above all, a proper training should be given to all the healthcare professionals for infection prevention and control. It should be given as part of their induction and on an annual basis. Thus, nurses need to be very much aware and educated about the different measures in order to prevent themselves and patients from cross infections. If you are a nurse and want to make a career abroad, INSCOL is your best bet. INSCOL in collaboration with leading Universities/Colleges in Canada/UK/USA/AUS/NZ offers a wide range of top nursing study programs in Emergency Care, Critical Care, Palliative Care, Coronary Care, Acute Complex Care, Mental Health, Leadership & Management, Gerontology & Chronic Illness, Healthcare & Rehabilitation and BSc/MSc Nursing.
