host, which may include patients, visitors, or others. A significant concept in this theory is HH may break the chain of infection.
Comfort Theory
Comfort is a positive, dynamic state that strengthens the patient and leads to better outcomes for the patient and institution (Kolcaba, 2003). Comfort Theory delineates a bidirectional relationship between patient’s comfort, behaviors that move the patient toward well-being, and institutional outcomes. Nurses identify the patient’s comfort needs unmet by existing support systems and design interventions to address those needs. The outcomes of care are influenced by intervening variables. However, the influence of intervening variables can and should be mitigated in the design of patient specific …show more content…
A second assumption of this framework is that all patients are by definition susceptible, or at risk, for HAIs. Admission to a healthcare agency increases risk for colonization of patients, who by definition as patients are susceptible to infection. The patient need to prevent realistic harm from infectious agents is a primary nursing concern.
To prevent realistic harm from an infectious agent, the comforting intervention consists of a patient-focused structured HHP. The defining attributes of prevention correlate with Kolcaba’s (2003) three components of comfort care: an appropriate and timely intervention; a mode of delivery that projects care and empathy; and the intent to comfort. For the current study, a structured HHP is the comfort intervention provided with the intent to prevent …show more content…
First, the setting is a LTCF, which is underrepresented in the current literature. The Congressional Budget Office (2013) reported more than two-thirds of 65-year-olds will require assistance due to a loss in functioning at some point during their remaining years of life. With the aging population, the LTCF population will sharply increase. Next, the role of the patients’ HH in preventing HAIs will be examined as it is currently underrepresented in the current literature. The philosophical approach guiding this study is one of empowering the patient to prevent HAIs. Finally, the potential for HAIs rather than historical HAI rates will be evaluated. The proposed study brings a unique focus on HH, the single most effective way to prevent infection, by examining the role of patient’s hands in HAIs, the most frequent adverse event in healthcare delivery worldwide (WHO, n.d.). This unique intervention has potential to improve outcomes for this growing, susceptible population, as well as potentially improve institutional integrity and financial
Comfort Theory
Comfort is a positive, dynamic state that strengthens the patient and leads to better outcomes for the patient and institution (Kolcaba, 2003). Comfort Theory delineates a bidirectional relationship between patient’s comfort, behaviors that move the patient toward well-being, and institutional outcomes. Nurses identify the patient’s comfort needs unmet by existing support systems and design interventions to address those needs. The outcomes of care are influenced by intervening variables. However, the influence of intervening variables can and should be mitigated in the design of patient specific …show more content…
A second assumption of this framework is that all patients are by definition susceptible, or at risk, for HAIs. Admission to a healthcare agency increases risk for colonization of patients, who by definition as patients are susceptible to infection. The patient need to prevent realistic harm from infectious agents is a primary nursing concern.
To prevent realistic harm from an infectious agent, the comforting intervention consists of a patient-focused structured HHP. The defining attributes of prevention correlate with Kolcaba’s (2003) three components of comfort care: an appropriate and timely intervention; a mode of delivery that projects care and empathy; and the intent to comfort. For the current study, a structured HHP is the comfort intervention provided with the intent to prevent …show more content…
First, the setting is a LTCF, which is underrepresented in the current literature. The Congressional Budget Office (2013) reported more than two-thirds of 65-year-olds will require assistance due to a loss in functioning at some point during their remaining years of life. With the aging population, the LTCF population will sharply increase. Next, the role of the patients’ HH in preventing HAIs will be examined as it is currently underrepresented in the current literature. The philosophical approach guiding this study is one of empowering the patient to prevent HAIs. Finally, the potential for HAIs rather than historical HAI rates will be evaluated. The proposed study brings a unique focus on HH, the single most effective way to prevent infection, by examining the role of patient’s hands in HAIs, the most frequent adverse event in healthcare delivery worldwide (WHO, n.d.). This unique intervention has potential to improve outcomes for this growing, susceptible population, as well as potentially improve institutional integrity and financial