Hand hygiene prevents the transmission of pathogens from one person to another, the importance of hand hygiene is universally recognized and evidence based and is the key intervention in preventing disease (Babeluk, Jutz, Mertlitz, Matiasek, & Klaus, 2014). Healthcare associated infections occur when germs are transferred from health care provider 's hands to a patient and affect 1 in 25 hospitalized patients per day, about 75,000 people die from these infections per year (CDC). Healthcare associated infections can affect anyone but the elderly, very young, people with cancer or diseases, impaired immunity, very ill and surgical patients are at an increase risk of healthcare associated infections (HCAI 's). HCAI 's in these groups of people …show more content…
Good hand hygiene can greatly reduce the number of bacteria on hands ("The importance of", 2014). When washing hands with soap and water 80% of individuals still retain some pathogenic bacteria on their hands, also washing with soap removes fatty acids from the skin that can result in cracked skin, providing a portal of entry for pathogens (Babeluk et al., 2014). When skin is dry and chapped bacteria on the skin increases, the damaged skin becomes sore and painful and deters proper hand hygiene ("The importance of", 2014). It is unrealistic to expect health care workers to wash their hands continuously throughout their extremely busy days caring for patients, The World Health Organization developed the 5 moments for hand hygiene to help make it clear when hand hygiene is necessary. The 5 moments for hand hygiene are "before touching a patient, before any clean task, after body fluid exposure, after touching a patient, and after touching patients ' belongings" (Thomas, 2014). Washing hands with soap and water is necessary for visibly soiled hands, if hands are not visibly soiled it is recommended to use an alcohol based hand sanitizer ("The importance of", 2014). Alcohol based hand sanitizer has a higher antimicrobial effect than using soap and water (Thomas, 2014). It is also important to keep fingernails short and free of nail polish, wear short sleeves, and do not wear jewelry as these …show more content…
Hospitals are always looking for cost effective ways to track hand hygiene. Electronic monitoring for hand hygiene is evolving. There are several different hand hygiene compliance monitoring systems available at this time. One system monitors based on group 's activity drawing evidence based statistics that determines how many times the workers should have cleaned their hands based on the hospitals specific data and nurse to patient ratio (Lorenzi, 2014). Another system available uses the hospitals Wi-Fi network to transmit information. When the HCW enters or leaves a room and dispenses the soap or hand sanitizer unit an embedded "exciter unit" triggers the staff members badge to send message that documents the time and location of the hand hygiene event allowing the hospital to track the health care workers hygiene (Lorenzi,
Washing your hands properly with soap is one of the most important things you can do to reduce the number of germs, or infections you can spread. The issue that needs to be addressed, is how can we promote good hand washing habits efficiently, to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. For this reason, Kohler will be introducing the “Hygieia” in Q3 of 2016. The Hygieia is a hands free motion detecting sink that dispenses water, and soap simultaneously.
Hand washing is very important in order to prevent infection (Leifso, Sheehan, & Knoll, Module 3, 2012). Routine hand washing involves turning on the water, applying soap and then washing for up to 20 seconds (CDC, 2009). All areas should be washed, including the front of the hands, back of the hands, in between fingers, and around the nails (CDC, 2009). After rinsing, paper towels are then used to dry the hands and close the tap (CDC, 2009). Alcohol based hand sanitizers should only be used if it is not possible to get to a sink and if the hands are not visibly dirty (Leifso, Sheehan, & Knoll, Module 3, 2012).
Four body fluids that would be considered biohazardous waste are blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and cerebral spinal fluid.
Health tips. Hand hygiene. (2009). Mayo Clinic Health Letter (English Ed.), 27(12), 3. Retrieved from
Waltman, P. A., Schenk, L. K., Martin, T. M., & Walker, J. (2011). Effects of Student Participation in Hand Hygiene Monitoring on Knowledge and Perception of Infection Control Practices. Journal Of Nursing Education, 50(4), 216-221. doi:10.3928/01484834-20110228-06
“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
In this discussion, we will have three main topics. First What are allergies, second how are they started and third why the number of people with allergies has increased in the last 20 years? This is what myself and Hamjreet are prepared to discuss.
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
The focus of health care is and has always been, practicing good hygiene, living a healthy lifestyle, and having a positive attitude reduces the chance of getting ill. Although there is not much prevention we can take for some of the diseases but we can certainly practice good hand hygiene to prevent infection and its ill effects. Research proves that hand washing is surely the most easy and effective way to prevent infection in health care. The question for this research: Is Hand washing an effective way to prevent infection in health care? It led to the conclusion that due to the high acuity, high patient: staff ratio, and lack of re evaluation certain units in the health care facilities cannot adhere to correct hand washing guidelines. Hand
“Failure to attend to hand hygiene has serious consequences: it has a negative effect on patient safety and the quality of patients’ lives, as well as on their confidence in healthcare delivery. However, the prevalence of hand hygiene omission is still high” (Canadian Disease Control, 2016 p 1). Washing hands before and after patient contact seems like a simple solution to prevent the spread of bacteria between patients. But it is not as simple as it seems.According to new CDC data, “approximately one in 25 patients acquires a health care-associated infection during their hospital care, adding up to about 722,000 infections a year. Of these, 75,000 patients die from their infections ( CDC, 2016 p 1).” Leaving a finacial burden on Canada’s health care
The studies provided in the literature review prove that. It is believed that hand washing is the best thing to do to kill bacteria but as study show hand sanitizing is more efficient (Michaels, 2014). The experiment mentioned before done at the University College of Health Studies proves that hand sanitizing is the best way to kill bacteria in hands (2015). The best way to prevent hospital acquired infections is to wash hands in situations where it is necessary, like when hands are visibly soiled, and use hand sanitizer in situations that are appropriate. In other words use your judgment. Because studies also show that washing hands too often can have damaging effects to hands it is not recommended to use hand washing only (Michaels, 2014). It takes about 20 seconds to wash your hands and 5 seconds to use hand sanitizer. Such a big difference can be made in the prevention of hospital acquired infections by just performing that very simple task that doesn’t take very long to do and so many lives can be saved as
I chose the subject of sanitation because it is something that everyone should be able to have available to them. Everyone everywhere should have access to fresh drinking water and appropriate means of adequate sewage disposal. By being able to have apposite sanitation procedures one is able to diminish many diseases and increase a healthier life. Billions of individuals lack the ability to be able to have a place to defecate, let alone a private place to, which leads to open defecation and then in return causes diseases like Cholera. A couple of weeks ago we watched a TEDTalk about sanitation issues, during the video, a picture was shown of a young man who was down in a deep hole covered in fecal matter. Not even a spot of personal protective
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.
Medical asepsis plays an integral role in infection control within a health care facility. It includes procedures used to decrease and prevent direct contact with blood or bodily fluids and emphasizes keeping the environment clean on a regular basis (Curchoe, Astle, & Hobbs, 2014). In order to achieve optimal health, individuals depend on practices and techniques that control and ultimately prevent the transmission of infection. These practices and techniques can help avoid the transmission of infections by creating an environment that protects both health care workers and patients from communicable diseases. Good hand hygiene has been stressed as the single most important measure to prevent cross-infection to patients in health care facilities
“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