Infection Prevention and Control
By the end of this section, you should know about:
- Nursing knowledge-based infection prevention
- Guidelines for patient care procedures related to isolation precautions
- Summary of the key evidence and its implications for nursing practice
Let’s take a closer look at them.
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Nursing knowledge-based infection prevention
Health care workers face a high risk of exposure to infectious microorganisms from bodily fluids such as mucus, urine, and wound penetration. Appropriate infection prevention practices such as hand hygiene are important to reduce cross contamination and infection transmission Infections to patients often cause emotional complications, such as anxiety, loneliness and despair, especially when isolation programs are in place Nurses play an important role in alleviating these feelings through illness programs, methods of isolation, and compassionate care.
Understanding the factors that affect susceptibility to infection is critical to developing effective care plans. This includes addressing specific patient-specific conditions and behaviors that promote health or increase the risk of infection.
Factors affecting susceptibility to infection
Age
Emotions vary with age. Infants’ immune systems are immature, they rely on maternal antibodies, and breastfed infants acquire additional immunity. As children grow older, their immune systems become stronger but they remain vulnerable to diseases such as colds and measles. Adults have matured immune systems but are still susceptible to infection. In the elderly, the immune system declines, especially cell-mediated response. Aging affects the skin, urine, and respiratory system, making infections more likely. Vaccination of healthcare professionals against diseases such as influenza is essential to protect these vulnerable populations.
Nutritional status
Poor nutrition compromises the immune system. Protein, carbohydrates and fats are needed to maintain protection and promote wound healing. Patients with increased protein requirements, such as those with burns, infections, or postoperative recovery, are at increased risk of inadequate nutrition If nutritional deficiencies are assessed by sources dietician and prevention can improve outcomes.
Fatigue
Stress affects the immune system. General adaptive effects include increased metabolic activity and activation of cortisone, which initially suppresses inflammation. However, prolonged stress drains available energy and weakens the body’s defenses. Situations such as surgery and trauma that increase physiological stress increase susceptibility to infection.
Disease mechanisms in Infection Prevention and Control
Certain conditions severely weaken the immune system. Diseases such as leukemia, HIV/AIDS, and lymphoma directly compromise the immune system, leaving patients vulnerable to opportunistic infections. Chronic diseases such as diabetes and multiple sclerosis increase susceptibility due to relatively poor health and nutrition and specific immunodeficiency diseases such as emphysema or arthritis increase the risk of infection is a great deal. Burn damage to the skin’s barrier represents a particularly serious risk, with the chance of infection increasing depending on the size and depth of the burn.
The role of nurses in infection prevention
Nurses must address the multitude of factors that affect infection risk through comprehensive assessment and implementation of targeted interventions. Patients and families should be educated about infection prevention, ensure adequate nutrition, and provide emotional support, especially with regard to isolation. By understanding and managing the interplay between age, nutrition, stress, and underlying conditions, nurses help enhance patient safety and comfort.
Nursing policy in Infection Prevention and Control
The nursing process provides a structured system for assessing, screening, planning, implementing, and evaluating patients, especially those at risk or experiencing infection. Strong measures ensure that care is inclusive, patient-centered, and effective.
The nursing plan provides a structured approach to managing patients who have an infection or are at risk for infection. During the assessment, nurses collect detailed information, including the patient’s history of recent wounds, infections and records of diagnostic procedures, transportation and vaccinations are important to identify risk factors such as chronic diseases, poor nutrition and high levels of stress. Clinical signs of infection, whether local (e.g., redness, fever, cough) or systemic (e.g., fever, fatigue, rash) should be carefully monitored for laboratory findings in, such as a high white blood cell count or a positive culture contributing significantly to the diagnosis of infection. Particular attention should be paid to abnormal symptoms in older adults, such as confusion or fatigue without fever.
Based on the assessment findings, nurses establish a diagnosis that reflects the specific needs of the patient. Examples include impaired immunity “risk of infection,” wound-related “skin integrity,” or “excessive inflammation” associated with infection actively. These disorders refer to individual care plans for physical and emotional needs.
More on Nursing policy in Infection Prevention and Control
During planning, goals are established to reduce the risk of infection, manage existing infections, and support the overall health of the patient. These goals may include preventing the spread of infection, promoting wound healing through nutrition and hygiene, educating patients about infection control, and addressing psychological problems such as isolation or fear management
In the implementation phase, evidence-based interventions are needed. Nurses ensure proper hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and sterilization during surgery to prevent cross contamination. Patients are helped to strengthen their natural defenses through proper nutrition, hydration and rest. Medication management is essential, including close monitoring of efficacy and side effects. Emotional support is also key—teaching patients and their families about the disease process and involving them in care decisions to raise awareness and reduce anxiety.
Finally, in the assessment phase, nurses reassess the patient’s condition to determine the effectiveness of the interventions. Progress is measured by symptoms such as reduction in fever, wound healing, and normalization of laboratory values. Patient understanding and adherence to infection control measures are also assessed. The care plan is modified as necessary to address any complications or lack of progress. This holistic approach ensures safe, effective, and patient-centered care.
Examination and diagnosis in Infection Prevention and Control
During the assessment phase, nurses collect and analyze data to identify infection risk. Objective data include observable indicators such as wound status and laboratory results, such as white blood cell (WBC) count. Subjective data include patient-reported symptoms, such as nausea or discomfort in the surgical area. Charts of risk factors and defined characteristics help to establish a nursing assessment. Common findings in patients at risk for infection include “risk of infection,” “unbalanced diet: not meeting physiological needs,” and “abnormal oral mucosa” References by careful review of physical findings and laboratory results ensures assessment accuracy and helps develop individualized plans of care. examination and diagnosis.
During the assessment phase, nurses collect and analyze data to identify infection risk. Objective data include observable indicators such as wound status and laboratory results, such as white blood cell (WBC) count. Subjective data include patient-reported symptoms, such as nausea or discomfort in the surgical area. Charts of risk factors and defined characteristics help to establish a nursing assessment. Common findings in patients at risk for infection include “risk of infection,” “unbalanced diet: not meeting physiological needs,” and “abnormal oral mucosa” References by careful review of physical findings and laboratory results ensures assessment accuracy and helps develop individualized plans of care.
Pattern in Infection Prevention and Control
The care plan focuses on nursing diagnoses and related factors, with specific measurable outcomes tailored to the patient. Goals may include preventing infection exposure, reducing infection severity, and educating the patient about infection control. For example, the goal of a patient with an open wound is to achieve a “sense of clearance” through targeted interventions such as wound care Effective planning incorporates patient needs, circumstances, and cultural preferences to ensure feasible and sustainable outcomes.
The equipment to be used
Implemented care includes strategies to prevent infection and help patients recover. Key measures include health promotion, such as improving nutrition, ensuring proper sanitation and promoting vaccination. Intensive care includes non-aseptic methods, such as hand hygiene, proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), disinfection of equipment and carrying of supplies; their intervention in cases of systemic or local infection includes proper wound care, drainage management, administration of antibiotics as usual. Long term treatment is reinforced by educating patients and families about infection prevention.
Assessment
The assessment phase assesses whether the patient has achieved the goals of the care plan. This includes monitoring physical signs such as fever, wound healing, drainage, monitoring the patient’s condition Preventive measures for infection If the patient shows signs of infection, e.g fever or yellow sores, or does not have an understanding of preventive care adequately on requirements It guides further interventions for fulfillment.
Supporting the body’s defense mechanisms in the presence of infection
Maintaining the body’s defenses is important in managing infection and preventing complications. Nurses play a key role in supporting these processes through targeted care strategies. For example, in patients suffering from glaucoma, interventions such as regular skin cleansing, barrier therapy, and resurfacing promote skin uniformity and prevention controlling microbial invasion Routine hygiene practices, such as oral care and bathing, strengthen the skin’s pores and mucous membranes, which serve as key barriers against infection.
Medical asepsis
Definition and purpose: Asepsis is the absence of pathogenic microorganisms, achieved through mechanisms that reduce the risk of infection. Medical disinfection techniques—such as hand hygiene, barrier techniques, and environmental sanitation—are key to breaking the chain of infection These techniques are used universally, even in undiagnosed patients, and are particularly effective in preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
Control or removal of pesticides: Proper sanitation, disinfection and sterilization are essential to reduce or eliminate microorganisms. Disposable devices reduce the risk of infection in healthcare settings, but reusable items require thorough cleaning and disinfection. Teaching caregivers these techniques is important in home care.
Guidelines for Cleaning
Purification removes organic (e.g., blood) and inorganic (e.g., soil) substances, and prepares materials for further disinfection or disinfection. The steps include:
Rinse with cold water: Block protein absorption, which can make it harder to remove dirt.
Wash with soap and warm water: Emulsify with detergent and lift residue.
Use a brush: Clean troughs and borders where dirt may be hiding.
Rewash: Make sure you remove dirt thoroughly.
Dry: Prepare to sterilize or disinfect.
Disinfection and sterilization
Sterilization and Disinfection destroy microbial proteins and interfere with their intestinal function.
Disinfection: Eliminates most microorganisms except viruses and parasites. Includes surface cleaning and high-level disinfection (HLD) dispensing of items such as endoscopes.
Sterilization: Methods such as steam, ethylene oxide gas, and chemical sterilization are used to completely eliminate microorganisms including spores.
Aerobic: Refers to microorganisms that require oxygen for growth.
Anaerobic: Refers to microorganisms that grow and thrive in the absence of oxygen.
Asepsis: The absence of pathogenic microorganisms to prevent infection.
Guidelines for patient care procedures related to isolation precautions
Representative consideration: In isolated care, the task of caring for the patient may be assigned to a nursing assistant (NAP). However, it is the nurse’s responsibility to assess the patient’s condition and to determine necessary isolation precautions. Nurses should provide guidance to NAP regarding:
- Why the patient is isolated.
- Instructions for bringing equipment into patient rooms.
- Basic consideration of patient needs, especially when moving toward diagnostic tests.
Steps for Care
Assess Isolation Indications: Review the patient’s medical history, laboratory test results, and any signs of wound drainage to determine the reasons for isolation.
Review Lab Results: Identify the microorganism causing the infection and determine whether the patient is immunocompromised.
Review Agency Policies: Familiarize yourself with the facility’s isolation protocols and any care measures needed during the patient’s room visit.
Emotional Assessment: Review the patient’s emotional state and adjustment to isolation, either through nurses’ notes or by speaking to colleagues.
Latex Allergy Check: Confirm whether the patient has a latex allergy to avoid an allergic reaction when using gloves or other materials.
Prepare Equipment: Perform hand hygiene and gather all necessary equipment. Some equipment, like a stethoscope or blood pressure cuff, may need to remain in the room.
Summary of the key evidence and its implications for nursing practice:
Role Management in Nursing Practice
Follow the WHO-5 timeline: Nurses should clean their hands at specific times:
Before patient contact: To protect the patient from hand-carried germs.
Before aseptic procedure: To protect the patient from harmful bacteria and enter the body.
Risks after exposure to body fluids: To protect yourself and the environment from harmful infections.
After patient contact: To protect yourself and the environment from harmful host germs.
After contact with the host: The environment can harbor harmful bacteria even without direct host contact.
Resources: Including goal setting, incentive pay and accountability in the WHO-5 Moments program also improves HH adherence.
Patient education
Patient education about infection prevention is important in-home care. Nurses can instruct patients and caregivers about hand hygiene and appropriate infection prevention techniques, especially during dressing changes. Identifying and explaining good hand hygiene practices and teaching symptoms of infection are important.
Surgical asepsis
Surgical asepsis, which maintains a sterile environment and prevents contamination during infection, is an important alternative to infection prevention Nurses use aggressive infection prevention strategies use in a variety of settings, such as during catheter insertion or dressing changes. How to educate patients during surgery and ensure cooperation is important.
Principles of surgical asepsis
The basic principles of surgical acupuncture are:
Sterile-Sterile Contact: Only other sterile surfaces should contact sterile surfaces.
Keep a bacteria-free environment active: Never touch a bacteria-free environment with anything sterile.
Avoid contamination: Beware of activities or environmental activities that may contaminate the biodegradable area.
Sterile process in Infection Prevention and Control
It is important to assemble all necessary equipment prior to any sterile operation, and to have extra supplies on hand in case of contamination. It is important to explain each step of the process to ensure that the patient will cooperate fully. Anything contaminated during surgery should be discarded immediately to maintain a bacteria-free environment.
Donning and Removal of PPE
Surgical masks and goggles should be worn for sterile surgery in all nursing units. Only a cover is needed for more invasive procedures such as the operating room. The mask should fit the face tightly and should be replaced immediately if wet to prevent bacterial growth. Protective glasses should fit tightly around the face and forehead to prevent cracking. When removing PPE, follow the correct order: gloves, face shield or goggles, coat, then mask or respirator.
Sterile package opening in Infection Prevention and Control
Sterile containers such as syringes or catheters are usually placed in sterile containers as long as the packaging remains dry and intact. They are made of absorbent paper, linen, or muslin heat to autoclave and bind some material. Before opening any organic container, it is important to wash your hands and check that the packaging is intact. Never use the product if the bag is open, dirty, or damaged in any way. Open germ-proof bottles properly to prevent contamination, and do so on a clean, flat surface such as a bedside table or treatment area, avoiding enclosed areas where contamination can occur
Opening inanimate objects in Infection Prevention and Control
When opening a sterile container, hold the container in one hand and carefully tear off the paper or plastic cover or tear it apart with the other. Make sure the products are sterile. When opening smaller items, hold the bag in your non-dominant hand and carefully open the seams away from you, being careful not to touch the contents Through the packaging (except borders of 1 inch) apply and be sterile locally or can
Sterile field preparation
A biodegradable zone is a microorganism-free zone, ready to receive bacteria-free material. You can use inorganic adhesive or sterile tape for this area. Once the site is established, sterile material should be applied directly to the site or transferred with sterile instruments such as forceps. If you wear sterile gloves, make sure they do not touch the pockets of sterile items. Anything within 1 inch of the site boundary should be discarded.
Sterile solution poured
For a sterile pour, the inside of the bottle is sterile and the outer neck is not. Remove the cap and place the sterile side up in a clean place to avoid contamination. Drop a small amount (1-2 mL) into a disposable container before pouring into a container to clean the bottle cap. Pour the solution gently and carefully, ensuring that the bottle cap does not touch the sterile surface or container.
Surgical injections
To reduce the risk of infection in surgical patients, nurses should treat surgical hands with disinfectant to remove transient flora there to reduce the number of flora This procedure involves washing from fingertips to elbows with antiseptic soap. Depending on the brand used, surgical massage can take between 2 and 6 minutes.Avoid expensive nail polish or artificial nail polish when removing jewelry, as these can harbor bacteria. The use of brushes has been largely replaced by sponges or artificial chemicals to prevent skin damage and will effectively reduce bacterial counts
Wear sterile gloves
Sterile gloves are necessary to prevent the spread of bacteria during surgery. There are two ways to wear gloves: open and closed. Open gloves are generally used in nonsurgical procedures, whereas closed gloves are used in the operating room. Make sure the sleeves are the right size to avoid tearing and make sure they fit properly, allowing you to handle things easily without compromising sterility.
Donning a Sterile Gown
Sterile gowns are worn in operating rooms, delivery rooms, and during special procedures to act as a barrier against contamination. After performing surgical hand hygiene and donning a mask and cap, the sterile gown should be put on. Only certain parts of the gown are sterile, including the front from the waist to the collar and the front of the sleeves. The back, underarms, and parts below the waist are considered non-sterile. The gown should be handled carefully to prevent contamination from non-sterile areas.
Exposure issues
Needlestick injuries and exposure to blood borne pathogens such as hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), and HIV are serious risks in health care Health care providers should report exposure immediately some, safety measures such as protective technology devices are used to prevent these injuries when necessary Resources for HIV hepatitis B vaccination and external prophylaxis (PEP) are needed. Follow-up care after a blood-borne infection is essential, including evaluation of the source patient and the infected worker, risk assessment and appropriate treatment
Assessment in Infection Prevention and Control
To evaluate the effectiveness of infection prevention strategies, observe how patients respond to treatments, and record any signs of infection. Look for changes such as fever, redness, swelling, and cold drainage at the site of surgery, ureteral, or other procedures The goal of infection prevention is to promote healing in patients not ignoring signs or symptoms of infection. Appropriate infection control practices are essential to reduce the risk of complications and ensure patient safety.
Through the eyes of the patient
Patients expect safety and security during healthcare services. It is important to assess their understanding of infection prevention strategies, as well as their ability to control them. Providing opportunities for patients to discuss infection prevention or to demonstrate techniques such as hand hygiene can help reinforce their knowledge and improve compliance with safety measures.
Patient outcomes in Infection Prevention and Control
The success of infection control strategies can be measured by the absence of infection symptoms such as fever or wound infection. Nurses should monitor wounds for healing and check for any changes in vital signs, laboratory results (such as platelet count), or other indications of infection the absence of infection is an excellent outcome, and healthcare professionals should monitor changes and respond to patient status.