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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n