Infection Control in Healthcare Settings - Essay Example

? INFECTION CONTROL IN HEALTHCARE SETTINGS BY COLLEGE: Presented Infection Control in Healthcare Settings The hygiene and cleanliness of a healthcare environment is important in preventing cases of infections and in instilling patience confidence in such a healthcare facility. The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) outlines guidelines related to the national specifications of cleanliness in NHS, which is a framework for measuring and setting performance results in all dental care and primary medical premises (NHS, 2010). This research involved qualitative analysis of studies related to infection prevention and control in healthcare across Britain. The research involved using the search words “infection control in Britain healthcare facilities” from a cross reference site with databases such as Jastor, Science Direct among others. A total of 20 articles in the subject matter were indentified, but were later reduced to six articles. The selection criteria involved selecting journals whose content was specifically on infection control and those whose content was closely related to NHS hygienic guidelines. In addition, articles from the journal of nursing were preferred more as they tackled the issue of hygiene and infection control in a more detailed approach. Papers were supposed to be peer reviewed and had unrestricted access to full content through the databases used. Moreover, all articles were required to be below 10 years since publishing. One of the similarities across the articles was reviewing the use of policies to enforce hygiene. Weaving & Cooper (2009) analyzed the various initiatives that have been put in place to control infections such as the national Audit Office (NAO) publications, the House of Lords Science and Technology select Committee NHA trusts among other reports. On the other hand, McCowan (2009) analyzed the British Dental Association Advice infection control policies related to dental hygiene. Gould (2005) investigated policies related to environmental hygiene, and how they have been applied in health facilities. Fox & Harvey (2008) investigated the possibility of X-ray cassettes being a source of pathogens in causing nosocomial infections, and whether they could be responsible for cross infections within the hospital environment. Chilvers (2009) investigated the roles of hospice and the actions of departments of Health in infection control. On the other hand, Jehnkinson (2006) investigated the effectiveness of the 10 tools developed by the Infection Control Nurses Association in controlling infections. In addition, Giordino (2010) reviewed studies and reports related to skin injury and radiation dose in intervention radiography procedures. However, there are some differences across the studies. All the articles except McCowan et al. (2009) involved analytical review of policies and guidelines related to infection control in healthcare facilities in empirical studies. McCowan et al (2009) investigated infection control in health facilities through a quantitative research, thus forming an informative primary resource in the problem study. Weaving & Cooper (2006) aimed at analyzing recent initiatives related to infection control in health care facilities. On the other hand, McCowan (2009) aimed at examining management policies and procedures related to decontamination of instruments and infection control. Gould (2005) aimed at investigating the contribution of organization of healthcare delivery and healthcare environment to healthcare associated infections (HCAI). Moreover, Chilvers (2009) aimed at investigating the roles of evidence based Knowledge in ensuring policies, procedures, and processes are followed in reducing infection rates. Lastly, Jenkinson et al (2006) aimed at examining the effectiveness of the set of ten tools developed by the Infection Control Nurses Association in infection control and prevention. Moreover, Harvey & Fox (2010) analyzed whether x ray cassettes would be possible transmitters of pathogens in causing nococomial infections, and if they could be responsible for hospital infections. Different methodologies have been applied in the research articles. Jenkinson et al., (2006) discussed the principles of infection control in non acute healthcare settings and utilizes the ICNA audit tools to elaborate on these key principles. Chilvers (2009) explores the effectiveness of hospice in abiding with UK healthcare regulations in preventing infections in healthcare facilities. Gould (2005) presented a general investigation regarding strategic organization of healthcare facilities and the environment in these facilities, and how the two may lead to infection in patients. McCowan (2009) uses a quantitative randomized survey through a proportionally stratified random sampling method involving a sample size of 179 surgeries. On the other hand, Weaving & Cooper (2009) utilized general reviews approach in analyzing recent approaches aimed at controlling infections. The study by Fox and Harvey involved swabbing cassettes in a diagnostic imaging department, particularly those used for mobile radiography. In addition, Giordino (2007) investigated studies and research articles dealing with radiation and skin injuries to bring out any common trends in these studies papers. The articles though investigating the same problem have different results and findings. Weaving & Ciooper (2006) in their study found that infection control and prevention has to be the duty and responsibility of everyone, to attain NHS goals of reducing infection to the minimum possible levels. All the same, Weaving & Cooper do not elaborate the duties of each party in controlling infections. On the other hand, McCowan et al (2009) found that many practices in health facilities lack properly managed systems in controlling infections, making it had to trace decontaminated instruments in the cleaning or sterilization processes. This makes it hard to prevent and control infections. However, McCowan et al acknowledge the lack of specific systems that trace any equipment to a specific patient; hence systems may not offer the holistic approach in infection control. Gould (2005) found that though the environment may not be actively involved in infections, objects touched by nurses and other staffs in these facilities are sometimes heavily contaminated. There is thus a need for nurses to ensure sterilization of all equipment and proper hand washing mechanisms. Though that most of these procedures are well articulated under NHS and other bodies, Gould does not offer a concise implementation of these strategies to make them effective. Chilvers (2009) found that infection control can be achieved through ensuring current evidence based policies, which are available to all nurses in their daily activities. However, Chilvers does not articulate how such policies could help to prevent infections noting that NHS policies and guidelines are well known, but have not been followed. Jenkinson (2009) found that the audit practice using the ICNA audit tools provides enough data to identify areas of commendable practice where corrective actions are required. However, infection cases are diverse and may not be analyzed using a single measurement; in most cases infection cases require evidence based practices to prevent. Giordino (2007) found that radiation doses as small as 2Gy could in fact have a negative impact on a patient, and advocates for the need to have trained personnel and equipment that can adequately reduce the dose. However, Giordino recedes to the fact that few studies exist in this topic; hence it needs more investigations through studies to establish more facts. In addition, Fox & Harvey found that there were indeed considerable levels of growth in cassette samples developed in microbiology department, and which when in contact with a patient’s skin would cause infections. All the same, Fox & Harvey do not offer any solution to prevent such cases. This implication of the above radiography studies is that radiography is a risky exposure and would have side effects despite the low exposure one is exposed to. Considering the above studies, infection control in healthcare settings is a complex undertaking that needs the inputs of each and every individual, in addition to laid down systematic procedures and practices that have to be observed if the NHS minimum infection rates have to be achieved. The chances of infection to patients are numerous, calling on all health practitioners to adhere to strict evidence based practices and guidelines that would ensure effective infection control to patients. Since infection control is a diverse undertaking which cannot be addressed under a single metrics system, it is the role of all concerned parties in healthcare settings to ensure infections rates are reduced to the bare minimum possible. References List Chilvers R.,2009. Infection Control: A Hospice Perspective. Journal of Hospital Infection, 27(3), 262-265 Fox M., & Harvey J.M., An Investigation of Infection Control for X-Ray cassettes in a Diagnostic Imaging Department. Radiography. 14(4), 306-311. Giordino, S., 2010. Radiation Induced Skin Injuries during Interventional Radiography Procedures. Journal of Radiology Nursing. 29(2), 37-47. Gould D.J.,2005. Infection Control: the Environment and Service Organization. Nursing Standard, 20(5), 57-65. Jenkisnson H. et al., 2006. Prevention and Control of Infection in Non Acute Healthcare Settings. Nursing Standard, 20(40), 56-63. McCowan M. et al. 2009. Management of Infection Control in Dental Practice. Journal of Hospital Infection, 71(4), 353-358. NHS South East Essex, 2010. Infection Prevention and Control. http://www.see.nhs.uk/content/file/GP%20Zone/IP&C/SEE%20Cleaning%20Manual.pdf [Accessed 28th Oct. 2012]. Read More