Question 1 - Identify Australian best practice guidelines for the prevention of infection that should be used by the registered nurse when caring for Nick. Justify your choices.
“Healthcare Associated Infection” [HAI] prevention is essential in any healthcare setting, with approximately 200,000 occurrences each year (National Health and Medical Research Council [NHMRC], 2010). As the most commonly identified complication, HAI’s are causing burden on the healthcare system due to increased time and money required, therefore affecting not only staff and patients, but causing unnecessary misfortune and affliction to the wider community. This potentially avertable issue has to potential to be significantly reduced through thorough infection …show more content…
It is essential that among vulnerable patients or where the risk of contamination of infectious agents is high, that all objects in the patient's surroundings including bed rails, commodes, light switches, bathroom facilities and other equipment is thoroughly cleaned with a hospital grade disinfectant. As Nick is Tachycardic and is experiencing a high fever, all necessary equipment such as thermometers and heart rate monitors should be routinely cleaned before and after single patient use to avoid transmission of infectious agents.
Question 2 - Discuss how the diagnosis of MRSA impacts on the nursing care provided to Nick to control the spread of infection.
Nick Janson had a weeping wound and the surrounding area was inflamed and painful. In addition, he showed signs of being Febrile and Tachycardic which suggest infection, and was later confirmed by a wound swab. Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA), is a common infection that is caused by antibiotic resistant bacteria, and is closely linked to the healthcare setting (National Health and Medical Research Council [NHMRC], 2010). Mr Janson had an open wound that was left untreated for a period of a week, opening the grazed knee to a variety of infectious agents including MRSA bacteria, which now requires immediate intervention and infection
“Healthcare Associated Infection” [HAI] prevention is essential in any healthcare setting, with approximately 200,000 occurrences each year (National Health and Medical Research Council [NHMRC], 2010). As the most commonly identified complication, HAI’s are causing burden on the healthcare system due to increased time and money required, therefore affecting not only staff and patients, but causing unnecessary misfortune and affliction to the wider community. This potentially avertable issue has to potential to be significantly reduced through thorough infection …show more content…
It is essential that among vulnerable patients or where the risk of contamination of infectious agents is high, that all objects in the patient's surroundings including bed rails, commodes, light switches, bathroom facilities and other equipment is thoroughly cleaned with a hospital grade disinfectant. As Nick is Tachycardic and is experiencing a high fever, all necessary equipment such as thermometers and heart rate monitors should be routinely cleaned before and after single patient use to avoid transmission of infectious agents.
Question 2 - Discuss how the diagnosis of MRSA impacts on the nursing care provided to Nick to control the spread of infection.
Nick Janson had a weeping wound and the surrounding area was inflamed and painful. In addition, he showed signs of being Febrile and Tachycardic which suggest infection, and was later confirmed by a wound swab. Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA), is a common infection that is caused by antibiotic resistant bacteria, and is closely linked to the healthcare setting (National Health and Medical Research Council [NHMRC], 2010). Mr Janson had an open wound that was left untreated for a period of a week, opening the grazed knee to a variety of infectious agents including MRSA bacteria, which now requires immediate intervention and infection