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A literature review of hospital infection prevention
A literature review of hospital infection prevention
A literature review of hospital infection prevention
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The merits of double-gloving are obvious to many individuals; it provides two layers of protection instead of one, for instance. Greater protection from pathogens is implied in this system. One might assume that in clinical settings, it would be foolish not to require healthcare workers to double-glove. There are, however, downsides to the double-glove system, as well as lack of improvement in preventing the spread of pathogens when comparing double-gloving to single-gloving. These factors must also be explored before double-gloving can be crowned as a superior method for protecting both patients and clinicians from the spread of pathogens. There are several benefits to double-gloving that have been supported by recent studies [1-4]. By double-gloving, it has been shown that the transfer of virus to healthcare workers’ hands is significantly decreased, as compared to single gloving [1]. Perhaps the incidence of nosocomial infections could be reduced if double-gloving were a requirement in healthcare settings. In the operating room (OR), double-gloving has been shown to provide superior protection against potential exposure to blood-borne pathogens [2]. Breaking the barrier between an OR nurses’ hands and the external environment was shown to occur in 8.9% of cases in one study in which single-gloving was practiced during surgical procedures [2]. Remarkably, in the same study, it was shown that when double-gloving was practiced, there was not a single case of both layers of gloves being perforated [2]. From the evidence provided in that study, one could assume that when double-gloving is practiced, it is virtually impossible for the hands of a healthcare worker to become exposed to the external environment during a sur... ... middle of paper ... ...erity and tactile sensitivity when double-gloved [3], and it is worth considering whether just this perception of reduced ability would result in increased errors during surgical procedures if surgeons were required to double-glove. To double-glove, or not to double-glove, is a much more complicated question than a study of viral presence on healthcare workers’ hands can answer. It is a more complicated question than data about perforations in single-glove vs. double-glove systems can answer. Future research should examine this issue from an epidemiological perspective, and from an administrative perspective. Additionally, it will be beneficial to further explore the impact that double-gloving has on the confidence and comfort level of surgeons and other OR staff; it is critical to weigh those factors against the protective benefits of double-gloving.
A study in Hong Kong also evaluates the use of double-gloving during surgery (Guo, 2012). This study fouses more on nurses instead of surgeons. They also focus more on glove perforation as opposed to sensitivity and dexterity. Guo states that “the purpose of our study was to assess the effectiveness of double-gloving in protecting perioperative nurses from having contact with patients’ blood and body fluids during surgery by comparing the frequency of glove perforation between single-gloving and double-gloving groups” (Guo, 2012).
Many amputees suffer from phantom limb, and phantom pain. Phantom limb can be described as the sensation of still having a certain body part and is moving accordingly (e.g. arm or leg) after the extremity has been amputated. People who experience phantom limb usually experience phantom pain, which is when the nerves at the end of amputated area cause pain or when a phantom limb seems stuck in an awkward or painful position. Ramachandran is a leading researcher in the field of phantom pain, and has done much research on mirror therapy and mirror neurons. On the other had Raffin shows research on phantom pain as well but in relation to motor imagery. Mirror therapy and motor imagery have both proven to be affective, and both have their advantages and disadvantages.
It would not have been acceptable for the medical assisting extern to not wear gloves while cleaning the table. Gloves are needed to prevent contamination and the spread of infectious materials.
“The CDC is the primary developer of national infection control and prevention guidelines, often in collaboration with its Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee, which is responsible for research and dissemination of the latest information for preventing disease transmission” (Griffis, 2013, p. 175). Infection control will continue to be a topic of discussion as long as germ transmission is still happening. Among these studies is the concern the frequent nonadherence to contact precautions is a huge issue that many studies are still very concerned about (Jessee & Mion, 2013, p. 966). The writer is also concerned with the blatant disregard for hand hygiene that appears to be happening in the medical field. What about what is best for the patient. Do the people that do not use proper hand hygiene not understand how important it
"Preventing Exposures to Bloodborne Pathogens among Paramedics." Workplace Solutions (2010): n. pag. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Web. 9 Feb. 2014.
This literature review will analyze and critically explore four studies that have been conducted on hand hygiene compliance rates by Healthcare workers (HCWs). Firstly, it will look at compliance rates for HCWs in the intensive care units (ICU) and then explore the different factors that contribute to low hand hygiene compliance. Hospital Acquired infections (HAI) or Nosocomial Infections appear worldwide, affecting both developed and poor countries. HAIs represent a major source of morbidity and mortality, especially for patients in the ICU (Hugonnet, Perneger, & Pittet, 2002). Hand hygiene can be defined as any method that destroys or removes microorganisms on hands (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2009). According to the World Health Organization (2002), a HAI can be defined as an infection occurring in a patient in a hospital or other health care facility in whom the infection was not present or incubating at the time of admission. The hands of HCWs transmit majority of the endemic infections. As
It is of my opinion that proper technique and knowledge of manual handling is vital for my health and to my long term ambitions with regards to progression in the Care Industry.
As a health care professional, you will encounter many blood-born pathogens, and transmittable diseases. One of your first defenses against those is your personal protective equipment, also known as PPE. This equipment includes protective clothing, eyewear, face masks, and gloves. They are made of fluid resistant material to protect against things like splash, splatter, aerosol, and bodily fluids. Over the course of this paper I will discuss the proper steps to donning and doffing personal protective equipment that best prevents cross contamination.
Health and Human Services. Pincock, T., Bernstein, P., Warthman, S. & Holst, E. (2012). Bundling Hand Hygiene interventions and measurement to decrease healthcare-associated infections. American Journal Of Infection Control, pp. 113-117.
(2014) shed light on two key components for infection control, which includes protecting patients from acquiring infections and protecting health care workers from becoming infected (Curchoe et al., 2014). The techniques that are used to protect patients also provide protection for nurses and other health care workers alike. In order to prevent the spread of infections, it is important for health care workers to be meticulous and attentive when providing care to already vulnerable patients (Curchoe et al., 2014). If a health care worker is aware they may contaminate the surroundings of a patient, they must properly clean, disinfect, and sterilize any contaminated objects in order to reduce or eliminate microorganisms (Curchoe et al., 2014). It is also ideal to change gloves after contact with contaminated secretions and before leaving a patient’s room (Curchoe, 2014). Research suggests that due to standard precaution, gloves must be worn as a single-use item for each invasive procedure, contact with sterile sites, and non-intact skin or mucous membranes (Curchoe et al., 2014). Hence, it is critical that health care workers change gloves during any activity that has been assessed as carrying a risk of exposure to body substances, secretions, excretions, and blood (Curchoe et al.,
The human brain has two hemispheres that are divided into the left and right hemispheres. If one of the two hemispheres is damaged the communication between the corpus callosum may be completely blocked. As a result, total control of one hand may be lost resulting in Alien Hand Syndrome. Once lost, regaining full communication between the two hemispheres is nearly impossible to restore. There was not much known about Alien Hand Syndrome when it was first discovered. Two questions that most researchers had upon the di...
“Researchers in London estimate that if everyone routinely washed their hands, a million deaths a year could be prevented” (“Hygiene Fast Facts”, 2013, p. 1). Hands are the number one mode of transmission of pathogens. Hands are also vital in patient interaction, and therefore should be kept clean to protect the safety of patients and the person caring for the patient. Hand hygiene is imperative to professional nursing practice because it prevents the spread of pathogens, decreases chances of hospital-acquired infections, and promotes patient safety. There is a substantial amount of evidence that shows why hand hygiene is important in healthcare
It is very likely that all of us will, at some point, need to help someone in need of first aid treatment. It could happen at any time and anywhere – at work, during a family gathering, or while running errands. However, first aid providers sometimes forget to take their own safety into account. The threat of bloodborne pathogens is very real, and there are some simple steps that can be taken to prevent disease transmission.
...s and hoses, control buttons, switches, hand pieces, and X-ray units (Collins). After every patient’s visit, the operatory is to be sterilized and disinfected. All areas that were that were not covered with a barrier, or if the barrier was compromised, must be wiped down with surface disinfectants similarly used in hospitals. OSHA requires disinfectants to be potent enough to fight against HIV and HBV infections (Collins). If there is any blood present on a surface, tuberculocidal type disinfectant should be utilized.
Therefore, it is important for the reader to understand that compared to previous methods, robotic surgery is indeed an enhancement to society. Research has shown that with robotic surgeries, bleeding has been significantly decreased. This is due to the smaller incisions that are needed for the procedure, but it is also due to the fact that the movements that are being controlled by the surgeon have the added feature of tremor control in the device. This feature actually compensates for the natural hand tremors of the surgeon and makes for steadier movements during surgery. (Lanfranco, Castellanos, Desai, & Meyers,