Many do not know that hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. These cost the healthcare industry nearly six billion dollars annually (Benson, 2011, p. 36). The statistics can be quite shocking considering people typically go to the hospital to improve their health. Hospital-acquired infections are a significant problem worldwide and are by far the most adverse events in the healthcare industry. Infection control can be defined as “the policies and procedures used to minimize the risk of spreading infections caused by bacteria or viruses” (medical dictionary, n.d.).Thus, infection control is imperative in order to reduce the number of hospital-acquired infections and provide essential patient
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Aseptic technique, also referred to as medical asepsis, involves the procedures designed to prevent the contamination of pathogens. These procedures are not as strenuous as surgical asepsis, but nevertheless successful in protecting patients from pathogens. Asepsis technique procedures include hand hygiene, standard precautions, and environmental cleanliness (Traes, 2014, p. 617). Providing a clean patient environment can be achieved by not cluttering the room with unnecessary supplies, providing fresh linens brought directly from the designated clean linen area, and cleaning personal tools such as the stethoscope with alcohol-based sanitizer after every use. All patients are vulnerable to infections, so reducing their contact with pathogens is the most effective method to infection …show more content…
During my clinical experiences I consistently use standard precautions, regardless of the situation. Wearing gloves not only protects the patients but also myself. Even if there is a simple task in the patient’s room it is never certain what will happen, so gloves and hand hygiene should always be performed. Hand hygiene really is a simple action and makes such a significant difference. Fortunately, at my clinical setting alcohol hand rubs and gloves are available outside and inside the patient’s room, so hand hygiene is not easily overlooked. The ultimate goal is patient safety and the only way to ensure that is for myself and other team members to consistently follow the policies of medical
Aseptic technique, also referred to as medical asepsis, involves the procedures designed to prevent the contamination of pathogens. These procedures are not as strenuous as surgical asepsis, but nevertheless successful in protecting patients from pathogens. Asepsis technique procedures include hand hygiene, standard precautions, and environmental cleanliness (Traes, 2014, p. 617). Providing a clean patient environment can be achieved by not cluttering the room with unnecessary supplies, providing fresh linens brought directly from the designated clean linen area, and cleaning personal tools such as the stethoscope with alcohol-based sanitizer after every use. All patients are vulnerable to infections, so reducing their contact with pathogens is the most effective method to infection …show more content…
During my clinical experiences I consistently use standard precautions, regardless of the situation. Wearing gloves not only protects the patients but also myself. Even if there is a simple task in the patient’s room it is never certain what will happen, so gloves and hand hygiene should always be performed. Hand hygiene really is a simple action and makes such a significant difference. Fortunately, at my clinical setting alcohol hand rubs and gloves are available outside and inside the patient’s room, so hand hygiene is not easily overlooked. The ultimate goal is patient safety and the only way to ensure that is for myself and other team members to consistently follow the policies of medical