Save a Life by NHCPS

Shopping Cart

No products in the cart.

View All Courses

10 Steps to Preventing Spread of Infection in Hospitals

Mackenzie Thompson

by Mackenzie, Life Saver, NHCPS

Co-authored by Karl Disque, D.O. RPH

posted on Feb 20, 2017 at 5:13 pm

HOSPITAL-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS (HAIs) are a major burden on health care costs in the U.S. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least one in 25 patients in U.S. hospitals is dealing with an HAI on any given day. HAIs are more than just added costs; they can cause irreparable bodily harm, drive the costs of health care up and even result in death. Fortunately, you can help reduce the spread of infection in your facility by following these steps, reports the World Health Organization (WHO).

pexels-photo-2477861. Wash Your Hands.

Hand washing should be the cornerstone of reducing HAIs. Wash hands with warm soap and water vigorously for at least 20 seconds. Also, all staff members and people in the facility should be encouraged to wash their hands before drinking, eating, providing care and between caring for patients.

2. Create an Infection-Control Policy.

The infection control policy details what patients have the highest risks for contracting or passing along HAIs. The policy should include information on when patients should be placed on isolation precautions or otherwise preventing contact with other patients and staff.

Hand washing should be the cornerstone of reducing HAIs.

3. Identify Contagions ASAP.

Highly contagious infections, such as clostridium difficile (c. diff), should be identified as early as possible. For example, any patient admitted with diarrhea should be immediately tested for c. diff. Similarly, people with respiratory issues should be tested for the flu.

4. Provide Infection Control Education.

Staff members need to know how to identify common infections and help prevent their spread. Consequently, your organization should provide continued, recurring education on infection control. This includes training on bloodborne pathogen and droplet-borne infections.

5. Use Gloves.

Health care professionals may not always wear gloves when interacting with patients. But, if any contact with blood or bodily fluids is possible, such as when changing sheets or emptying trash, gloves should be worn.

6. Provide Isolation-Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment.

Isolation-appropriate protective equipment includes waterproof gowns, gloves, shoe covers, face shields and masks. If patients have a contagious illness, appropriate isolation equipment should be readily available for use.

7. Disinfect and Keep Surfaces Clean.

Between patients, every room in a facility should be cleaned thoroughly with a bleach-containing cleanser. This helps to prevent accidental transmission of infections as new patients are admitted. Furthermore, non-patient areas, such as the breakroom and nurses’ station should be cleaned daily.

8. Prevent Patients From Walking Barefoot.

No one really wants to wear shoes when ill, but all patients should be encouraged to wear slippers or non-slip socks when walking in the hospital, including in their patient rooms. Although this seems extreme, nurses and other persons entering individual rooms can carry pathogens into the room from other areas and patient rooms.

9. Change Linens When Daily and When Dirty.

Linens should be properly sanitized and cleaned in laundry, but they should not be left on patient’s beds for extended periods. Linens should be changed daily and whenever visibly dirty. Furthermore, linens that fall on the floor should immediately be sent back to laundry for cleaning.

10. Make Sure Foods Are Kept at Proper Temperatures.

Most hospitals and health care facilities have refrigerators for patient snacks on individual units. The temperature such equipment should be checked every shift for food safety reasons. Furthermore, patients should be encouraged to eat their meals when they arrive. If food stays out in a patient’s room for several hours, it should be trashed to prevent spoilage and the possibility of acquiring an infection.

Act to STOP Infection Spreading Now.

Infections are dangerous and deadly. Even minor infections can become major problems for patients with healing problems, such as diabetes. Start following these steps today, and help your team stop the spread of infection before it begins.

About Mackenzie

Mackenzie is a seasoned life saver and a multifaceted professional in the medical field. With an impressive 8-year track record in medical education, Mackenzie boasts a comprehensive set of certifications, including ACLS, PALS, BLS, and CPR, which reflect her unwavering commitment and expertise. Her significant contributions to teaching and the development of medical content underscore her profound knowledge and dedication to advancing healthcare.

Beyond her medical prowess, Mackenzie seamlessly integrates her passion for education with her proficiency in media and marketing. Her academic journey at Indiana University culminated in a degree in Media and Marketing, further solidifying her expertise in these domains.

In addition to her impressive professional achievements, Mackenzie possesses a refined taste for global exploration, photography, design aesthetics, sartorial elegance, and the culinary arts, with a particular affinity for Chinese cuisine. Currently based in the vibrant city of Manhattan, she continues to be a driving force in the medical community. She is an invaluable asset to SaveaLife.com, where she champions excellence and innovation with unwavering dedication.

Contact Mackenzie at [email protected]

21
Comments
  1. Olivia Siamuchembu says:

    Very helpful information. I have learnt a lot. Thank you

    1. Greta Kviklyte says:

      Thank you for the kind comment!

  2. s ali Khan says:

    informative,thsese steps can not only save patient life but also reduces economic burden of the treatment in the hospital

    1. Greta Kviklyte says:

      True. Thank you for the kind feedback!

  3. Wow great for your elaboration

    1. Greta Kviklyte says:

      Thanks for reading! Glad you like it.

  4. Pramod says:

    Being a nursing students it is very important to us thanks

    1. Greta Kviklyte says:

      It’s true. Thank you for the feedback!

    1. Ali Drian says:

      Thank you Barnabas, we are glad you think so!

  5. Andy says:

    Thanx very much I have learned alot and they are now helping me during my studies and my procedures

    1. Nicholas says:

      It is our pleasure! We are happy to help!

      1. Lydia says:

        thank you so much

  6. Samantha Williams says:

    This was very helpful, thank you so much!!!! Have a lovely day

    1. Mackenzie says:

      Thank you! We are glad you enjoyed it!

  7. Claire Masters says:

    I didn’t realize that even food temperature is a consideration to keep health care facilities infection-free and they use refrigerators to address this. I also wonder how hospitals go about their disinfection process. It would be nice to get to know the technology used to keep these places safe.

    1. Mackenzie says:

      Thanks for your comment and interest in our article!

  8. Gladys Albert says:

    Woow I have just used this to solve my project, being a nursing student this was very impactful, thanks alot

    1. Ali Drian says:

      Hi, Gladys. Thank you for sharing that with us! We are glad it was helpful.

  9. QUEEN says:

    Thanks i really appreciate this, it’s helpful.

    1. Test says:

      You are welcome, Queen!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *