Nosocomial Infections and Intervention Strategies - Assignment Example

Nosocomial Infections Introduction Good Health Hospital has proved to be among the best hospitals in the region since its inception. The medical professionals and all members of staff are always committed to ensuring delivery of quality services to patients. The hospital has had a good reputation of excellent staff, good patient relations and top quality services. In the recent past, several cases of E. coli have been reported at Good Health Hospital. E. coli exists in a variety of types but most varieties a less harmful to human health. Research by medical professionals has shown that E. coli bacteria live in the intestines, for both people and animals. Symptoms of E. coli infection include diarrhea, abdominal pain and vomiting (Bennett, Jarvis & Brachman, 2007). E. coli emanates from taking contaminated food and water. E. coli may lead to death or permanent health problems if appropriate measures are taken on time. Nosocomial diseases can be termed as an infection that a person gets while being attend to in a health institution. The goal for this task is to explore the nosocomial infections, intervention strategies and recommendations on how to control and manage the various types of nosocomial infections. Analysis of Good Health Hospital records Records of Good Health Hospital show that a number of nosocomial diseases have been reported. Among the commonest nosocomial infections at Good Health Hospital includes, surgical site infection, pneumonia infection, and unitary tract infection among others. It is crustal for medical professionals and other people involved in providing health care to understand the different types of nosocomial infections and how to prevent them. The period between 2009 and 2011 recorded about 10,000 cases of skin and soft-tissue infection. The people surveyed were African Americans, Native Americans, and Asian Americans. The patients included both males and females of the age between 5-18 years, 50-65 years and those above the age of 65 years. Questions to ask the health care administrator It is quite apparent that medical professionals are obliged to ensure safety of patients during the treatment process. Patients should be protected from contracting any diseases while at the hospital. In essence, health care providers should ensure safe workplace environment in terms of hygiene and sanitation. In this regard, the health care administrator should be presented with the following questions regarding nosocomial diseases infections. 1. Being the health care administrator in this hospital, what is you view on the issue of nosocomial infections, bearing in mind the economic liability such infections inflict on health care provision? 2. What are the strategies that you have established for minimizing and controlling nosocomial infections related litigations? 3. As the health care administrator, which procedures have you implemented for identifying and taking care of patients with suspected viral infections within the hospital setting? 4. How are you planning to undertake the nosocomial infection control process in order to avoid legal consequences that might occur to your organization? 5. What do you feel need be done on the members of staff at Good Health hospital so as to incorporate them in the fight against nosocomial infections and prevent future lawsuits? 6. If you were the chairman of the World Health Organization, which policies would you implement to guard patients against nosocomial infections and why? The logic behind these questions is to assess the preparedness of the health care administrator at Good Health Hospital on curbing nosocomial infections. Research has showed that lawsuits related to infections acquired in health providing institution (Jonas, Goldsteen & Goldsteen, 2013). The above questions will aid the health care administrator in training the members of staff on legal repercussions associated with nosocomial infections. Targeted audience The target audience is patients admitted to the intensive care units, patients suffering from bloodstream infections, Pneumonia and surgical site infections. Nosocomial pneumonia is one of the most common infections, and affects both the young and the old people. However, the aged population is hit most by this infection. In reality, the aged people have less diseases fighting microorganisms and their bodies are weak to resist some infections. In surgical site infections, the target group is more men than women ranging between the age of 60 and 70. Complications that sometimes occur during surgical operations result in nosocomial infections (Block, 2000). Most patients surveyed argued that operations during the treatment process result in further health problems. Several medical scholars argue that nosocomial infections may develop after 48 hours of admission to healthcare center. In 1985, the CDC released a report stating that about 2.5% of patients admitted in hospitals contracted nosocomial diseases. Statists from CDC indicate that the expenditure for controlling and managing nosocomial infections keep rising every year. Presently, more than 70,000 deaths are recorder annually resulting from nosocomial infections. Prevention of nosocomial infections in Good Health Hospital implementation plan Select a team of specialist to harmonize the process of implementing the plan for controlling and managing nosocomial infections. Suggest a realistic budget for the entire implementation process provide a comprehensive orientation to staff members on intervention measures Coordinate a formal training programme for all the staff members to enlighten them on prevention strategies for nosocomial infections. Five recommendations to the department head 1. The health care provides should wash their hands before attending to a patient. This will eliminate the chances of transferring germs from the hands of the care provider to the patient. 2. Ensure your hands are clean before conducting an aseptic process. This will save the patient from the dangers of getting infections from operating equipment. 3. Wash your hands thoroughly after an exposure to body fluids. This is important to enhance a clean healthcare environment and to prevent contamination of the equipment used for treatment. 4. Always was your hands when leaving the patient’s surroundings or the surgical room. This is an important strategy to avoid caring germs to other places. Safety protocol that must be placed in public access areas of the hospital The safety protocol is drafted to facilitate effective control and management of nosocomial infections at Good Health Hospital. In order to realize this goal, a committee has been formed to supervise the enactment of infection control measures. It is essential to incorporate all medical professionals and workers in the hospital in fight against hospital infections (Norton, 2008). The core function of the control committee is to ensure full application of the suggested plan and provide advice on matters regarding nosocomial infection. The general roles of the control committee include; assessing the methods used for nosocomial infection, surveying the trend regarding new infections, advising the hospital management on the best strategies for reducing new infections and sensitizing the members of public on ways to reduce nosocomial infections. Conclusion Nosocomial infections can be very disastrous if earlier intervention is not enhanced. Clean environment, personal hygiene and proper sanitation should be established to reduce the cases of nosocomial infections. Nosocomial infections can affect both men and women, regardless of the age brackets. People should always be cautious about the cleanliness of water or food they take. Hospitals should establish effective strategies and working plans to facilitate effective management and control of nosocomial infections. It is important to form control committees for overseeing implementation process of the recommended plan. All people should join hands in the fight against nosocomial infections. In essence, people should always be responsible for their lives. Medical professionals should ensure that they follow the prescribed ethics when attending to patients. References: Block, S. S. (2000). Disinfection, sterilization, and preservation. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger. Bennett, J. V., Jarvis, W. R., & Brachman, P. S. (2007). Bennett & Brachman's hospital infections. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Norton, J. A. (2008). Surgery: Basic science and clinical evidence. New York, NY: Springer. Jonas, S., Goldsteen, R. L. & Goldsteen, K. (2013). Jonas' introduction to the U.S. health care system. New York: Springer Pub. Co. Read More