An Evaluation of Infection Control Issues for Patients Presenting with Conjunctivitis - Coursework Example

A Critical Evaluation of Infection Control Issues for Patients Presenting with Conjunctivitis Total Number of Words: 1,286 Introduction Conjunctivitis, also known as ‘pink eye’ or ‘Madras eye’, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva (the outer layer of the eye) caused by allergic reaction or infection from virus or bacteria (Langley, 2005). Likewise, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like Chlamydia, gonorrhoea and herpes can also infect the eyes and lead to the development of conjunctivitis. Acute follicular conjunctivitis or ‘pink eye’ which is triggered by the adenovirus is characterised by having a bilateral watery discharge and erythema combined with a viral upper respiratory infection. (Langley, 2005; Greenberg & Pollard, 2003) Since school-age children are found of touching their eyes with their bare hand, this group of young individuals are often the ones who have this type of conjunctivitis (Wald, 2004). Less common among school-age children, bacterial conjunctivitis is often caused by either Haemophilus influenza (non-typeable) or Streptococcus pneumonia (Wald, 2004). Instead of having watery discharge, individuals that are infected with bacterial conjunctivitis is characterized with a purulent discharge and erythema. Conjunctivitis, if left untreated, could result to blindness (Harvey, Champe, & Fisher, 2007, p. 384). Since conjunctivitis can be easily prevented through proper hand washing, the incidence of conjunctivitis is commonly categorised as newborn conjunctivitis or childhood conjunctivitis (Childrens Memorial Hospital, 2009). Even though it is very difficult to find statistical report on adult individuals with conjunctivitis, this study will discuss and compare the student nurse’s perceived best nursing intervention for the proper infection control and prevention of conjunctivitis from spreading to other patients with those suggested by professional nurses and ophthalmologists. As part of going through the main discussion, the different point-of-views of ophthalmologists with regards to the universally accepted infection control practices in relation to the said illness will be examined thoroughly. Differences with My Perceived Best Nursing Intervention for the Proper Infection Control of Conjunctivitis among the Ophthalmic Patients and those with the Universally Accepted Infection Control Practices Importance of Promoting Good Personal Hygiene As a way of preventing the spread of external environmental virus- and bacteria-causing conjunctivitis, I personally believe that promoting good personal hygiene which includes the regular changing of pillowcases and linens, avoid sharing of eye cosmetic products, towels, handkerchiefs, and frequent hand washing among the patients are among the best ways to prevent the spread of conjunctivitis. Regular cleansing of contact lenses and keeping hands away from the eyes also contributes to the effective control and prevention of conjunctivitis. Since conjunctivitis can be easily transmitted from one person to another, several studies highly recommend to avoid sharing of pillowcases, linens, towels, handkerchiefs or anything that can have a direct contact with the eyes (Singer, Pavan-Langston, & Levy, 2009; Krider, 2005). To ensure that infectious pathogens in personal belongings of the patient does not transmit to other people, pillowcases, linens, towels, clothes and handkerchiefs should be laundered regularly in hot water to kill germs (Krider, 2005). Several studies revealed that hand washing for 10 to 15 seconds is the most important and effective infection control measures that health care professionals could easily practice. (Geditz et al., 2005; Thompson et al., 1997) By practicing asepsis before and after attending to a patient, health care professionals will not become a mode of transmitting viral- and/or bacterial causing diseases. In the absence of soap and water, the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer should be promoted. In relation to hand washing, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlighted the importance of keeping the nails short all the times since longer nails attracts more microorganisms to accumulate on the nail beds (CDC, 2003). Importance of Surveillance, Isolation Precautions, and Outbreak Control Considering that nurses are the front-liners of a healthcare team, nurses should implement proper procedures with regards to health condition surveillance, isolation precautions and outbreak control. Basically, surveillance or monitoring for signs and symptoms of conjunctivitis enables the nursing student to easily call the attention of other health care professionals to quarantine or implement isolation control procedures with patients who are positive with signs and symptoms of conjunctivitis. By doing so, the health care professionals could easily avoid the outbreak of conjunctivitis within the healthcare environment or school vicinity. In relation to the perceived infection control of the nursing student, the research study that was conducted by Smith et al. (2008) discussed the importance of collecting surveillance data weekly wherein the health care professionals would immediately conduct complete physical assessment and further laboratory reports like swab testing to confirm whether or not a particular disease is contagious. In general, conjunctivitis can be assessed with the presence of red or pinkish eye with or without watery or purulent discharges. As soon as the laboratory report confirms the incidence of conjunctivitis, the nurse should immediately warn or inform other health care professionals to implement infectious outbreak control measures. For instance: Proper hand washing will enable the health care professionals to avoid transmitting infectious bacteria or virus to other patients. To further prevent the spread of conjunctivitis, the patient who is positive with conjunctivitis pathogens should be isolated within the health care environment (Smith et al., 2008). This strategy will not only enable the nurses to effectively limit the spread of infectious disease in one area; it will also make it easier on the part of the healthcare professionals to disinfect the hospital area as soon as the patient has recovered from conjunctivitis (Rutala & APIC Guidelines Committee, 1996). Importance of Educating the Patients on How to Protect Themselves and Effectively Control the Spread of Conjunctivitis Educating the people regarding the proper way of effectively controlling the spread of conjunctivitis is a good health prevention strategy that nurses could offer to the public. Upon analyzing this particular health scenario, teaching the people how they could protect themselves and their love ones from becoming infected with conjunctivitis is a significant step in terms of minimizing the number of cases of controllable conjunctival inflammation. Health teachings should not only be limited to the general public but also the health care professionals. There were some previous research studies that promote the importance of infection control education within the healthcare professional team. Upon employment, Smith et al. (2008) suggests the need to train staff on infection prevention and control methods including the basic hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, and the mode of transmission of infectious diseases as well as the common infection control program, policy and procedures observed within the healthcare institution(s). According to Roup, Roche, & Pass (2006), making it compulsory for new healthcare employees to undergo the process of training will increase the chances that each employee within the healthcare setting has received formal training with regards to infection control. Conclusion The nursing student’s perception with regards to the best nursing intervention for the proper infection control and prevention of conjunctivitis is in accordance with those infection control strategies as suggested by professional nurses and ophthalmologists. To prevent blindness, it is important to control the spread of conjunctivitis. There are several ways wherein we could effectively control the spread of conjunctivitis infection. By continuously promoting the importance of personal and hand hygiene practices, people will be able to protect themselves from having their eyes become infected with conjunctivitis virus or bacteria. Regularly conducting health teachings within the community and educational institutions, parents and teachers could teach the children to practice frequent hand washing aside from avoiding the habit of touching their eyes. To prevent the spread of conjunctivitis within the hospital settings or other institutions, healthcare professionals should promote the importance of implementing proper healthcare procedures related to surveillance, isolation precautions, and outbreak control. Conducting a weekly surveillance procedure within the organization will enable healthcare professionals especially the nurses to immediately isolate the patient in order to protect other people from becoming infected with the said disease. *** End *** References: CDC. (2003). Retrieved August 2, 2009, from Management of Vaccines Healthcare Workers: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/ Childrens Memorial Hospital. (2009). Retrieved August 2, 2009, from Conjunctivitis (Newborn/Childhood): http://www.childrensmemorial.org/depts/ophthalmology/conjunctivitis.aspx Geditz, A., Potter, J., Vandenberg, E., Smith, L., & Smith, P. (2005). Isolation practices in Nebraska long-term-care facilities: a survey. Infectious Diseases in Clinical Practice , 13(5):236 - 240. Greenberg, M., & Pollard, Z. (2003). The red eye in childhood. Pediatr Clinics of North America , 50:105 - 124. Harvey, R., Champe, P., & Fisher, B. (2007). Lippincotts Illustrated Reviews: Microbiology. 1st edition . Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Krider, J. (2005, November 22). Retrieved August 2, 2009, from Conjunctivitis - What is conjunctivitis?: http://www.formulamedical.com/Topics/Head&Neck/Conjunctivitis.htm Langley, J. (2005). Adenoviruses. Pediatrics in Review , 26:238 - 242. Roup, B., Roche, J., & Pass, M. (2006). Infection control program disparities between acute and long-term care facilities in Maryland. 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