Analysis of Standard Precaution Implications for Practice on Urinary Catheters - Term Paper Example

Standard precautions should be applied in all health care settings. Critically analyse their implications for your practice on urinary catheters. Introduction Each and every individual within a health care setting has the responsibility to put a stop to the spread and transmission of infection as well as to give their patients with clean and harmless treatment (Perry 2007). Thoroughly practicing the prevention of infections is a more effective way in cutting down the infection rates, rather than managing the problem when it comes. To be able to reduce and prevent the infection rates that apparently exist in health care settings, staff members must be able to fully know and understand their most important duties and responsibilities as a health care worker. The Universal Precautions was first suggested in 1985 by the Centers for Disease Control in America to urgently respond to the harmful possibilities that have been brought on by the spread and transmission of the HIV virus from unsuspecting patients to health care workers who were unaware as well (Bjerke 2002). These precautions were primarily concerned about the body fluids that could have possibly been contaminated with viruses transmitted through the blood. By the late 1980s, the universal precautions had become widely accepted in the United Kingdom and the British expanded these procedures to include both the body fluids and substances and the “entries of transmission” as well. They have explained that through these elements, transmissible microorganisms can be allowed to enter a clean and sterile area that can possibly lead to the spread of infection among patients. Both the terms Standard Precautions and Universal Infection Control Precautions are considered appropriate in hospitals and other health care settings. To use these precautions is one way of realizing that any individual in a health care setting is susceptible to any potential risks as he or she is out in the open to be possibly infected or contaminated by harmful microorganisms. Precautions are to be strictly followed to protect both the patient and the health staff members and prevent the spread and transmission of viruses and infection between these vulnerable individuals. Illian (1997) also asserts that the standard precautions have been developed to primarily cut down infection rates and prevent the infectious diseases from being passed on and transmitted between the health care workers, their patients, and their visitors in all healthcare settings. Isolation practices were also implemented to be able to control and stop any possible cross infections that may be transmitted from the patient to any health care worker, and vice versa. Aside from the most suitable and fitting procedures to control the spread and transmission of diseases, isolation recommendations have been strongly suggested in local facilities to meet the needs of different patients. Therefore, a set of rules and regulations must be written out to ensure that these procedures will be properly applied and carried out to deliver safe and efficient patient care. According to Carlson (2007), the triad for a reliable and successful implementation of safety procedures remains to be the prevention, the control and the decrease of disease and infection. Through the standard precautions, everyone is assured that safe and effective health care will be delivered to each individual as long as health care workers strictly follow and abide by these procedures at any given time and situation. Primarily, the standard precautions were developed for the purpose of risk assessment, to evaluate the possible harmful risks in the spread of transmissible diseases and to reduce its rate as well. One of the most important elements that has been included in the standard precautions is proper hand hygiene as the thorough washing of hands has been proven to be very effective in combating the spread and transmission of viruses and harmful microorganisms. Next to hygiene is the use of protective equipment that normally depends on one’s risk assessment and the perceived degree of contact with body fluids and pathogens. At any health care setting, health workers must and should always act accordingly with the infection control practices that have been formally implemented. Controlling the spread of pathogens which cause infection is an important solution for transmission problems (Fowdar 2008). Respiratory hygiene or cough etiquette was first developed during the widespread outbreak of SARS, also known as the severe acute respiratory syndrome. At present, the cough etiquette has now been considered as an important portion of the standard precautions. To internationally strengthen the implementation and application of the standard precautions is a necessary step to take in cutting down the rate of possible adverse events that may arise in health care settings. Other important goals that need to be achieved are the sufficient provision of medical supplies and human health resources, as well as adequate education and a strong sense of leadership among every person that is involved in a healthcare setting (Gammon 2005). The people that are inside a health care establishment are vulnerable to becoming a host, or a human source, for microorganisms to dwell in, thus leading to infection and diseases. These so-called human hosts can either be those individuals who are carrying an acute illness or those who are considered as “chronic carriers” of transmissible viruses. Plants and flowers as well as used medical tools and devices can also be considered as main sources for these contagious pathogens, and can all bring about the spread and transmission of any disease (Dejoy 1996). Use of Standard Precautions in Health Care Settings The standard precautions have been defined as the most important health practices to be used and applied in healthcare settings to control and prevent infection. These practices focus on applying the proper hygiene procedures particularly to wash and clean one’s hands when making physical contact with a patient, to make use of “protective barriers” including medical gowns, gloves, masks and googles, to properly use, control and dispose sharp objects and other waste that may possibly contaminated, and to use other techniques that can prevent infection and will not cause disease. Standard precautions are used for the delivery of safe and efficient care and treatment for all patients, regardless of their possible level of infection. These procedures are also used in handling and carrying out all body fluids such as blood, secretions and excretions. Standard precautions can also be used in handling dried blood, saliva and other body fluids (Smith 2007). Inman (2004) states that the proposal of new suggestions as well as the strengthening of current practices are necessary when the issues on infection control and management come up and are identified only during outbreak assessments. Because these new suggestions are considered as important measures of health care, they included in the standard precautions. There are three most important portions that have to be urgently and properly implemented in any given healthcare setting and these include the cough etiquette, safe injection practices as well as the integration of medical masks when conducting a catheter insertion or any material injection with the use of puncture procedures as that of epidural anesthesia. Therefore, these new portions of the standard precautions along with its primary procedures all constitute the most important approach in providing healthcare and preventing disease. According to Inman (2004), the international SARS outbreak in 2003 pushed forward the urgent need for everyone to become aware and conscious, and to strictly follow, without any delay, the application of safety procedures for the control of disease and infection in any healthcare setting. These strategies were then referred to as the cough etiquette that had been included in the standard precautions and to be formally used and implemented as a safety procedure. This procedure is supposedly for those patients and everyone else who are accompanying them that could possibly have a contagious respiratory infection without them knowing it. Cough etiquette should also be implemented on anyone who exhibits a sign of adverse conditions such as coughs and colds when they go into healthcare settings. When certain individuals are assumed to have been infected with an infectious disease, supplementary protection measures are applied as these powerful viruses can immediately cause infection among people through air droplets as well as the direct or indirect contact with the skin and other surfaces. According to Gershon (1996), these additional procedures can be specifically applied for a situation where it is categorically required, or can also be pooled together once the transmission of infection has been widely distributed. The strategies that were developed to control the spread and transmission of infection had been based on a set of principles in order to guarantee its efficiency in all healthcare settings (Presdorf 1993). The first step to take is to study and understand microorganisms and their effects on human beings; to become aware of the different forms of disease transmission has also been proven useful. But the most important thing to do is to properly and firmly apply the standard precautions to avoid the contamination of harmful microorganisms in any given work setting. Careful and meticulous hygiene must be practiced including the very crucial process of hand washing along with the frequent cleaning of all working areas as well as medical devices and equipment. To thoroughly sterilize and disinfect every single area and object in a healthcare is a must for all healthcare settings as well as to properly administer medications and vaccines to fight the possible risks of infection and disease. Furthermore, to correctly train, educate and develop health care workers is an urgent requirement for the awareness of all individuals in relation to the significance and benefits of infection control practices (Stoner 2003). The success and accomplishment of the safety measures for infection control rely on how several factors have been preserved and maintained such as the use of services and resources, the incorporation of such facilities into effective health programs, the dedication and reliability of health service providers along with their regular performance assessments. Necessary Hygiene Standard Precautions for any Health Care Establishment According to Thobaben (1996), a sustained high level of hygiene standards must be implemented among service providers and their staff members to ensure an effective patient care and treatment. It is therefore necessary for frequent cleaning to cover all working areas and used equipment and for regular practice of hand washing when performing aseptic tasks. A high level of hygiene and protection measures is necessary when performing standard precautions at any given time and setting, regardless of whether the students have finished their training or not. To properly wash one’s hands can be considered as the most important step to take for controlling and preventing infection (Inman 2004). Before making any physical contact with the patient, an individual is required to wash his or her hands to lessen the possibility of an infection. Physical contacts with patient significantly include a physical examination, injection or venipuncture deliveries or the draining of a catheter bag. A direct contact with a body’s secretions and excretions, the usage of medical tools and equipment that have gotten dirty with blood and other bodily substances, or a trip to the toilet are all physical activities that can cause contamination. Aside from hand washing, hand care is also an essential key and acts as a natural defense in combating disease and infection. A small cut or break in the skin can serve as an entry of transmission for transmissible pathogens. When an individual experiences a cut or wound in the skin, he or she should immediately cover it with water-resistant dressings that can put a stop to the passage of harmful microorganisms. Furthermore, such dressings must be regularly changed to avoid any more risks for infections. To repeatedly clean and wash one’s hands can irritate the skin. Similarly, the frequent use of gloves can also cause sensitivity and even allergic reactions in one’s skin; therefore the use of hand care products such as lotions can aid in the relief of such conditions. Dejoy (1996) states that the physical environment can be seen as an important factor that largely contributes to the implementation of standard procedures. It has been a strong suggestion for all healthcare settings to come up with a well-structured design that can meet the various requirements for infection control measures to effectively take place. It is always necessary for a working area to have the proper ventilation as well as adequate lighting. It should also have sufficient medical tools and equipment as well as a secure space to store the devices that are not currently in use. Furthermore, the areas and rooms used to accommodate patients must be properly ventilated and should include hand basins for patients and staff members to have an easy access to proper hand washing. There should also be a limit or a maximum number of beds for each room. Additionally, a healthcare establishment should be able to provide plenty of single rooms that include a private toilet, a hand basin and several other facilities for a safe and comfortable accommodation. Standard precautions should also be applied when keeping all facilities clean and sanitary. Staff members should always wear gloves and other protective equipment that can be useful during a particular cleaning task. They are also encouraged to use protective eyewear such as googles and eye shields in case splashes will tend to occur. Areas that are more prone to transmissible microorganisms such as the shower areas and bathrooms along with sinks and basins should undergo frequent cleaning. Even though these environmental areas are not the largest contributors for the transmission of infection and disease, these should all be cleaned and maintained from time to time for the preservation of safe, secure and sanitary healthcare settings (Gammon 2005). Standard precautions are also implemented on the disinfection and sterility of medical tools, instruments and equipment. This is due to the fact that microorganisms can seep through, spread and contaminate all used medical equipment. In order to fully protect working procedures from contamination, an individual should closely pay attention to all possible sources of infections. For example, an equipment that is introduced to skin that is generally clean and sterile should always be maintained sterile to avoid unexpected contamination. Furthermore, tools that are used for injection deliveries must be used only once and if these tools have been primarily intended for multiple uses, then such items must be properly sterilized and disinfected. There is also a high regard for sanitation when undergoing operations that include generally clean cavities or tissues. Furthermore, it is needed and wanted in situations when there is an intact secretion. Woodward (1996) concludes that hygiene procedures are very crucial to apply in healthcare settings as well as offices and other public establishments. Implementing Standard Precautions For several reasons, standard precautions have become a very effective and successful technique in controlling the spread and transmission of infections (Wilson 2001). First, there are patients who do have an infection, however they do not display or exhibit signs and symptoms of an illness until its detection in a medical examination. Next, a patient can only be tested for infection when he or she undergoes a series of laboratory tests that must be completed in a longer course. Finally, a patient might possible have a transmissible infection even before the confirmation of laboratory tests. To effectively implement and apply the standard precautions is the most important strategy in guaranteeing a successful control over iatrogenic or nosocomial infections. Use of Standard Precautions in Urinary Catheters Practice The patients who have undergone urinary catheterization is more susceptible to the possible risks of UTI, or urinary tract infection, that are posed by this process. This operation has also been pointed out to be one of the largest causes of UTI infections that have been acquired in hospitals. Through the findings of Entwistle (2006) it was shown that urinary catheterization was the cause of more than 80% UTI cases that were acquired in hospitals. In this process, the insertion of urinary catheters takes place in a person’s bladder to either drain, fill or study the organ. This operation also plays a significant role in managing and regulating an irrepressible bladder or bowel movement. Normally, the insertion of urinary catheters takes place in either the urethra or the abdominal wall. On the other hand, though, the indwelling catheters will have to remain inside the patient’s bladder for a prolonged time compared to regular or intermittent catheters that are normally considered void after a single usage. Indwelling catheters will then allow microorganisms to freely enter a normally sterile and clean bladder (Zairi 2001). Furthermore, catheters do not allow the urine from the bladder to be properly flushed; these items also act as an “outside body” that can harmfully affect the mucosa. The usage of length as well as the used method of a catheter procedure has a positive effect on the patient’s risk for infection. Indwelling catheters that remain inside a bladder for a longer term will lead to a greater risk for infection when compared to intermittent catheters that can only be used for a short period of time. Possible risks for infection have also been linked to the overall quality and condition of the catheter procedure as well as the patient’s vulnerability to an infection (Mohr 2005). A poorly conducted aseptic technique during the insertion of catheters has also been pointed out to be a leading cause for infections relating to urinary catheters. An aseptic technique that has been ineffectively applied may possibly cause the spread of bacteria on the catheter’s surface, lead to an open drainage or create breaks in a closed drainage system (Fleshman 1990). Besides the risk of infections, urinary catheters and its long term use has also been linked to other possible damages such as psychological problems and urological cancer (Mohr 2005). The standard precautions and other formally implemented national guidelines are strongly suggested to be used in urinary catheterization for infection control and prevention (Flores 2006). The primary procedures of standard precautions such as proper hand hygiene and care and the use of protective equipment should all be found in the entire process of urinary catheterization while cough etiquette, injury prevention, regular cleaning and proper waste disposal must all be properly done. When these protective measures are effectively applied, there will be a significant decrease in infection rates as the control of disease transmission can be easily accomplished. It can also cut down the possible risks that urinary catheterization poses to unaware patients (Kukka 2004). There is an urgent need for all patients and health care workers to apply standard precautions as anyone can be susceptible to a transmissible disease. Conclusion Generally, all health service providers and establishments are highly responsible in giving the right care and treatment that their patients expect from them (Perry 2007). To preserve and maintain a stable environment that provides a sense of safety, security and good health for its patients and staff members has been considered as a wide-ranging issue for many years now. A full cooperation from every individual that is involved in this issue particularly the patients, the healthcare workers and the service providers themselves are extremely necessary to achieve this goal. Because the main priority of health care establishments is to provide efficient care and treatment to their patients, they are fully responsible for preventing the transmission of harmful infections and diseases in a medical environment. The proper implementation of safety and protective health measures are necessary to prevent and control the spread of infection between the patients and the workers. The responsible individuals should also be able to provide adequate equipment and services, regularly maintain surveillance operations, practice and apply the essential procedures for infection control and provide knowledge and awareness on proper hygiene (Gould 2005). When standard precautions are properly applied and implemented, there will be a huge improvement in urinary catheterizations and other medical procedures. Effectively and successfully making use of these strategies will guarantee the control and prevention of infection transmission between all concerned individuals. 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