Knowledge and Attitude of Healthcare Workers and Patients on Healthcare Acquired Infections in a Hospital - Literature review Example

Healthcare acquired Infections (HAI) Student’s Name Institution Healthcare acquired Infections (HAI) Introduction Healthcare acquired infection or nosocomial infections are infections that patients get while in hospital receiving treatment for other medical issues. Nosocomial infections could have devastating effects on the patients (Allegranzi & Pittet 2009). Therefore, prevention of healthcare acquired infection should be given great priority in any given medical setting. This is attributed to the fact that some infections could lead to complication which could be detrimental to the patient as they could lead to death. In addition to this, nosocomial infections could also lead to longer stays in hospitals for patient which could impact negatively on their finances (Bishara, et al 2012). Therefore, prevention and control of nosocomial infections should be prioritized in any given medical setting. However, in order to better prevent and control nosocomial infection it is important to look at the factors that contribute to existence and spread of nosocomial infections. According to Borghesi and Stronati (2008) resistance to medicine in particular antibiotics is seen as the main factor that increases the existence of nosocomial infection. There are certain bacteria that have become to certain drugs making it quite hard to offer proper treatment. As a result this has led to an increase in nosocomial infections. Additionally, the manner in which patients are handled greatly affect the spread of nosocomial infections. This is of great concern especially for disease that are considered to be highly infectious as they easily spread and could affect the entire hospital. With this in mind, it is therefore quite important to look at the ways in which healthcare infections could be controlled and prevented for the sake of the patients and the hospitals (Cooper & Percival 2014). Factors contributing to rise of healthcare acquired infections According to Curtis (2008), healthcare acquired infection are rampant in most hospitals, and is a growing concern as it puts the patients at risk. This is attributed to the fact that hospitals should be places where patients go to seek treatment not acquire infection they did not have. Therefore, it is important to understand nosocomial infections and the factors that contribute to their rise in hospitals or any other medical setups. Through understanding of the factors that could contribute to the increase of infections within the hospital, it becomes quite easy to not only prevent the infections but also control (D'Alessandro et al 2014). However, achieving this will require great commitment on the part of the hospital staffs in ensuring that infection are prevented. Recent surveys in Australian hospitals indicate that the rate of nosocomial infections is on the rise. This is a clear indication that prevention and control of nosocomial infections should be prioritized (De Bono et al 2014) Resistance Resistance refers to the ability of bacteria to fight off drugs to the extent that the drugs become less useful in fighting off the bacteria. Resistance arises due to adaptation and evolution of bacteria to the extent that drugs cease to be effective. According to Inweregbu et al (2005), drug resistance is attributed to the continuous use of specific drug to fight off a particular bacteria. As a result of continuous use of a particular drug, bacteria develop defensive mechanism. This could be in form of evolution of the bacteria, such that the drug ceases to have a great effect on the bacteria. As a result it becomes quite impossible to treat such a bacteria. Therefore, the existence of the bacteria within the hospital setting means that it is more likely for an individual to acquire an infection while in the hospital. Additionally, the fact that the bacteria has developed a form of resistance to the drug means that once a patient is infected it further complicates their health condition. Additionally, should there be a spread of the infection it could prove quite difficult to control (Mears et al 2009). Hospital population Hospital population is one other major factor that greatly contribute to spread of infections within the hospital. Where a hospital has a great population of individuals undergoing surgery or newly burns, then they are likely to experience nosocomial infections. This is attributed to the fact individuals that have undergone surgery are prone to acquiring infections (Chin, et al 2014). This is attributed to the existence of open wounds as a result of the surgeries. Additionally, newly born children do not have a strong immune system which means that they) are more likely to be infected.in addition to this, crowding at hospital also provides a good breeding place for infections. Therefore, hospitals should ensure that they operate within their capacity and avoid instances where the patients exceed the recommended number (Rothe et al 2013). Nursing care Additionally, according to Muscarella (2008), the manner in which nurses handle patients great contributes to the existence of nosocomial infections within the hospitals. This is attributed to the fact that nurses come into contact with lots of patients suffering from different diseases. Therefore, this exposes them to lot of bacteria. As a result nurses could easily contribute to the spread of infections within the hospitals. According to Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council (ANMC) (2006), nurses are required to observe high standards of care when handling patients. In doing so it ensures that the spread of infections is easily controlled. This can be achieved by observing the standards set out by the nursing council that requires nurses to put on protective gear while attending patients. Additionally, the number of nurses attending to patients could have a great impact in spread of infections around the hospital. Therefore, where the difference in number of nurses to patients is quite high there is a more likelihood of spreading diseases (Ocran & Tagoe, 2014). This is attributed to the fact that the nurses are overworked and could compromise their adherence to safety standards. This in return increases the chances of spread of infections of within the hospital. However, where the difference in number of nurses to patients is low, it means that the nurses are capable of providing the required medical assistance while observing the care standards set out. This in return reduces the risks of spreading infections within the hospital, thus reducing the rate of nosocomial infections (Liu et al 2014). Therefore, despite the desire of nurses to prevent and control the spread of healthcare acquired infections, it is impossible without the help of other professionals in the medical setup. For instance nurses may not have the adequate knowledge to come up with drugs for treating drug resistant bacteria. However, with the help of medical researchers it is quite easy for the nurse to prevent and control the spread of infections (Jordan & Nicolle 2014). This is attributed to the fact that nurses will only be responsible of administering the drugs while the researchers develop the effective drug. Therefore, as a result of this relationship it becomes quite easy to prevent the spread of infections in the hospital. Additionally, through proper training nurses are capable of controlling the spread of infections within the hospital (Borghesi & Stronati 2008). This could be achieved by organizing training sessions every now and then with the intention of keeping nurses up to date on the current trends in prevention of healthcare acquired infections. In doing so nurses are provided with a range of ideas on the ways of tackling healthcare acquired infections (Kelly & Monson 2012). Additionally, staffing of nurses could also help in trying to prevent the spread of healthcare acquired infections. This is achieved through maintain a low of ration of nurses to patients, which in return ensures that patients receive proper medical attention. Additionally, proper staffing eases the burden on nurses making it possible to observe the set out standards (Curtis 2008). In addition to proper staffing, it is also important for hospitals to ensure that they do not exceed the required number of patients it can handle. Failure to do so leads to overcrowding. Overcrowding provides a suitable condition for the spread of infections, thus making it quite impossible to tackle healthcare acquired infections (Hooven & Polin 2014) Reflection Description I am currently attached in one of our local as a trainee, whereby am tasked with the responsibility of assisting nurses in looking after patients. However, my main priority is to keep a record of individuals who suffer from nosocomial infections. Within a week at the hospital I recorded 10 patients who developed chest complication while at the hospital. Looking at their medical records the patients did not have chest problems prior to the admission at the hospital. Therefore, this led to the conclusion that they were infected while they were at the hospital. Feelings These experiences made me feel sorry for the patients who had to be put on treatment for infections they did not have prior to their admission at the hospital. This opened up my mind that hospitals are not the safest place as people generally think. Evaluation However, through the experience I came to know of how serious the issue, of nosocomial infections, is and the attention that is given to it. Throughout my attachment, I noticed that the hospital made various attempts such as having nurses put on protective gear and improvement of disposal system. All these was done in an attempt to minimize instances of nosocomial infections. Analysis I feel that the situation was worsened by the manner in which the hospital conducted its services. The theatre for instance was in close proximity to the general ward. As a result patients going for surgeries were put in great risks of getting infections due to their open wounds. Conclusion Based on my experience I believe that a lot could be done in ensuring that nosocomial infections are prevented and controlled. One matter which I perceived to be quite important is to ensure that the operation room is located in a more isolated place. In doing so, chance of individuals getting infected are greatly reduced. In addition to this, the manner in which patients are handled should be improved within the hospital. Action Plan In case the problem recurs, I would review the procedures in place that are implemented in order to curb future happenings. Conclusion In conclusion, healthcare acquired infections are a major concern in most hospitals around Australia which has led to numerous attempts to try and reduce them. However, this could prove challenging if not proper attention is not given. Presence of drug resistant bacteria have made it even difficult to fight off healthcare acquired infections. This is attributed to the continuous use of antibiotics to treat them and as a result the bacteria have found a way to defend themselves, thus becoming drug resistant. Additionally, poor training of nurses could lead to increase in the rate of patient getting infections while in hospitals. However, with proper training and proper policy it becomes quite easy for nurses to better prevent and control the spread of nosocomial infections within the hospital. Additionally, by adopting a better hospital policy it becomes quite easy to eliminate nosocomial infections. This in return ensures that patients visiting hospitals do not get new infections. Therefore, by implementing these steps healthcare acquired infection will cease to be a major concern in hospitals. References Allegranzi, B & Pittet, D (2009). Role of hand hygiene in healthcare-associated infection prevention. Journal of Hospital Infection, 73, 305-315. Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council (ANMC). (2006). National competency standards for the Registered Nurse. Canberra, A.C.T.: ANMC. Bishara, J., Goldberg, E., Leibovici, L., Samra, Z., … Paul, M (2012). 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