Environmental Infection Control in Health Care Facilities - Research Paper Example

Methodology Essay Rachna Jalan Methodology Essay Infection Control and Strategies used to Educate Public and Hospital Staff Introduction to InfectionControl The environment acts as a pool for umpteen numbers of micro-organisms loads of which turn out to be opportunistic pathogens like Aspergillus spp. and airborne pathogens like Mycobacterium tuberculosis leading to acute transience (“Guidelines for Environmental Infection Control,” 2003). Unpremeditated revelations encourage such contagious germs to leave behind hostile consequences for both the patients in the hospitals as well as the individuals under the open sky. In order to avoid this threat, various use of infection control measures have been established which may be prohibition of contaminated equipments during patient care, apt use of disinfectants, maintenance of the quality of water during dialysis, pertinent ventilation provision for delicate areas like operating rooms, etc. The destinations to which these opportunistic infections are significantly attracted are infants, children, older people and individuals suffering from AIDS. Present Scenario The urgent need to spread awareness among people regarding transmissible germs has been felt leading to various infection control strategies. A number of infection control professionals and health consultants have come out with indomitable spirits of educating people infection control measures thorough posters, campaigns, open visits, calling experts, mobile carts, notices, newspapers, journals, magazines, periodicals, etc. Adhering to such established guidance in hospitals may minimize the risks associated with health care and cut down the rate of recurrence of pseudo eruptions. The fundamental causes for rousing people’ consciousnesses regarding the severe threats of infections are promoting safety for patients and hospital staff and along with all individuals under the open sky. The dream is that every human be allowed to breathe fresh in a germ-free atmosphere by way of minimizing illness and preserving the fitness for a healthy society. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention that the basic hand hygienic practices are not even followed by four out of 10 health care staff members (“Infection: Don’t Pass It On,” 2004a). Recently, a new VA public health campaign called “Infection: Don’t Pass It On” has been introduced to foster hygienic awareness among the people (“Infection: Don’t Pass It On,” 2004b). Aims and Objectives The fundamental purpose of carrying out the research is mainly to investigate in the field of infection control and strategies for spreading awareness in the populace. This report examines current infection control and the latest alertness tools for educating the public, hospital staff and all the members of health including local and regional authorities the consequences of transmissible infections. The exploration will recognize the awareness methods used assess their effectiveness and efficiency and make recommendations for future incorporation into the vigilance activities. The principle objectives of the study may be stated as: i) To critically assess infection control and the overall approach to awareness in public and health staff and the awareness methods adopted in terms of impact, cost-effectiveness and sustainability. ii) To provide a small number of focussed recommendations that can be implemented by actors within the health care spectrum which will improve the effectiveness of awareness activity in the masses. Demonstrating an understanding of the principles of research By conducting an intensive study, one should be able to: Demonstrate an understanding of infection control and its awareness. Have a broad understanding of causes of infections and techniques to eradicate them. Recognize theories and understand methods and approaches that can be used to foster infection control. Be familiar with the factors affecting infection control. Have a clear understanding of the strategies for spreading awareness of infection control among public and hospital staff Research Method The research methodology used in fulfilling the above objectives can be understood in the following three different steps: Step 1: Literature Review An in-depth check of existing documentation was undertaken in order to assume the most economic use of previous researches in the completion of the study. Documents were sourced from the related sites on the Internet and the academic publications held in the library at the British Council. Literature was evaluated in the areas of: Theories and Articles on Infection Control International Epidemiological examples Plans of International Laboratories Guidelines for environmental infection control Data of disease control and prevention Step 2: Consultation Informal personal and telephone interviews were carried out with the stakeholders in the health care industry in order to congregate information in relation to: Infection control awareness methods currently utilized Suggestions from hospitals for improved infection control alertness The following were included among the stakeholders: Doctors and general practitioners Hospitals and other health care staffs Patients and general public Social workers Students of medicines Step 3: Conclusions and Recommendations On the basis of this assimilated information congregated from the previous two steps, a number of conclusions and suggestions are prepared. Data collected is then analyzed on which a conclusion is drawn and recommendations then made. These suggestions relate to the arrangements for infection control and awareness strategies that can be adopted cost-effectively for spreading the consciousness. Strengths of the chosen methodology The positives of the selected research methodology may be discussed as follows: Literature review provides the very platform on which the entire research can be constructed. It provides a strong background for the research and understanding of the topic to be explored. It is easier to collect data from the Internet as it saves time and cost thereby leading to time effectiveness and cost effectiveness. Follow up with the target audience is easier on phone. By providing conclusions and recommendations we can provide the road ahead for the implementers, followers and researchers. It not only aids in gathering information from the subjects smoothly but also helps in avoiding repetitiveness. Weaknesses of the chosen methodology The negatives of the selected methodology may be discussed as follows: The information and data collected through literature review may not be latest and currently updated especially in various pages on the Internet and old books. Situations during the previous researches may be different from the prevailing ones. Biasness towards one’s opinion, interest or experience may occur by conducting interviews. The interviewee may not have complete knowledge about the subject. One’s true body language and expression is not visible over the telephonic interview. Biasness of the researcher towards the subject may occur while giving recommendations which may not represent the true and fair picture. Common statistical errors may creep up during analysis that may present misleading conclusion. Strategies used to educate public and hospital staff Various infection control professionals and occupational health managers have suggested a range of awareness and visibility strategies to spread the message of infection control. Some of them may be through: Through posters a whole spectrum of messages can be conveyed by using photos, drawings, technical shots of micro-organisms and humorous cartoons of talking germs. Facilities for downloading posters from the Web can be provided. Advertisements in newspapers are another effective tool for spreading awareness. Hoardings at prominent places may be selected to strike in the minds of public the urgency to fight contagious infections. The language must not be ambiguous and misleading. Road shows have mass appeal amongst our rural audience. The medium of communication through dance and music leaves a greater impact in the minds of the audience who are most effected. Counselling camps aid to foster infection control awareness among public. Training to staff members of all the health institutions from time to time should be provided. Visual Presentations in cinema halls can effectively spread the awareness on infection control through dynamic and static images. Advertisements in television serve as an effective medium for spreading awareness. Awareness campaigns can be aired on different radio channels to communicate the importance of infection control. Articles aiming to educate the population infection preventive measures should be published from time to time in journals, periodicals and magazines. By providing open door policies by staff health, infection control nurses, nurse managers, etc .for allowing people to pop in whenever they want, individuals can be encouraged to adopt infection control measures by sorting out their queries and giving them the correct direction. It may be a brilliant idea to bring forward infection control experts and specialists to put forward their knowledge and experiences related to transmissible viruses thereby enabling people to acquire a clear understanding of the possibilities and precautions for infectious attacks. By wheeling around mobile carts and vehicles exhibiting clear messages of infection control in health care units and on roads both the hospital staffs and the public can be easily introduced to the measures of combating communicable germs. One can even dress up as a germ-buster and move travelling carts from one place to another catching the attention of many. Display of banners containing messages of infection control may be an ideal attempt to spread the awareness of infection control among the population. Short messages containing opportunistic micro-organisms can be forwarded through mobiles. It is perhaps one of the easiest and most convenient methods in the present scenario for stimulating people’s consciousness for infection prevention. Distribution of pamphlets and handouts prepared by public health containing various strategies of infection prevention may be another idea for making people aware of the malicious happenings of contagious germs. Electronic mail may be used as an impressive tool to caution the internet savvy individuals of the opportunistic germs that must be combated at all costs in order to sustain a healthy life. Notices with infection prevention contents should be circulated recurrently to keep the individuals upgraded with the latest virus control strategies. Conclusion and Recommendations Opportunistic pathogens can therefore be viewed as the cause of severe sickness leading to considerable transience thereby threatening public health. Hence, in order to check the transmission of such contagious germs to vulnerable people the standard immunization requirements must be adhered to. Inner confidence, strong determination, honesty and perseverance are the key factors that are expected to work behind each and every strategy. Impeccable endeavours and impressive communication and convincing skills integrated with apt availability of authority, finance and accessibility are the vital requirements for achieving he desired target of an infection free society. It is important to realize that sometimes following the basic practices of hygiene we can not only save time and money but can also be spared from unnecessary infections and their treacherous outcomes. It is the ethical and moral responsibility of each health care unit to protect its vulnerable patients from such perilous bugs. It is in our hands whether these health care problems will lead or be lambasted. Bibliography Infection: Don’t Pass It On. (2004a). Retrieved Aug 17, 2006, from Infection: Don’t Pass It On. (2004b). Retrieved Aug 17, 2006, from Infection: Don’t Pass It On. (2004c). pg 8.Retrieved Aug 17, 2006, from Prevention Of Infection. (2003). The Merck Manual Of Medical Information. Retrieved Aug 17, 2006, from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2003). Recommendations of CDC and the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee: Guidelines for Environmental Infection Control in Health Care Facilities. pg i. Retrieved Aug 17, 2006, from Webber, Paul. (n.d.). Strategies for Flu Vaccination Compliance Among Staff. Infection Control Today. Retrieved Aug 17, 2006, from http://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/articles/401/401_3b1feat2.html Read More