INFECTION
Keywords:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. Infection Control Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) Hand Hygiene Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Environmental Cleaning Infection Surveillance Antimicrobial Resistance Nursing Practice Patient Safety Antibiotic Stewardship Multidisciplinary Approach Infection Prevention Nursing Care Quality Hospital Epidemiology Infection Prevention Protocols Patient Outcomes Infection Prevention StrategiesAbstract
This article provides a comprehensive review of infection control practices in nursing, focusing on strategies to prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). It highlights the critical role nurses play in infection prevention through adherence to hand hygiene protocols, the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), environmental cleaning, and infection surveillance. The article discusses the effectiveness of these practices in reducing the transmission of infections and improving patient outcomes. Furthermore, it examines the challenges nurses face in implementing infection control measures, such as time constraints, staff shortages, and the increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant infections. The article emphasizes the importance of continuous education, training, and a multidisciplinary approach to infection control, underscoring the need for nurses to stay informed about the latest evidence-based guidelines. By implementing these practices, nurses contribute significantly to patient safety and the overall reduction of infections in healthcare settings.The article also explores the importance of infection surveillance systems that
allow for the early detection of outbreaks and the subsequent management of infection risks. It addresses the challenges in compliance with infection control measures, particularly in high-risk environments like intensive care units (ICUs) and long-term
care facilities, where vulnerable patient populations are at greater risk. The article underscores the necessity for nurses to be proactive in monitoring infection trends, reporting unusual cases, and educating patients and healthcare staff on the best
infection prevention practices.In addition, the article highlights the significant impact of hospital environment cleaning, the safe handling of contaminated materials, and
References
1. World Health Organization (WHO). (2020). Infection prevention and control
during health care when COVID-19 is suspected or confirmed. WHO.
Available
at:
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/infection-prevention-and
control-during-health-care-when-covid-19-is-suspected-or-confirmed
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2019). Infection control in
healthcare
settings.
CDC.
Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/index.html
3. Perry, C. J., & Lee, K. A. (2017). Hand hygiene compliance in healthcare settings:
A review of current practices and strategies for improvement. Journal of Clinical
Nursing,
26(7-8),
1060-1070.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.13447
4. Marra, A., & Craven, D. (2016). Personal protective equipment in infection control:
Best practices in nursing care. Journal of Infection Control, 44(5), 487-496.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2016.02.021
5. Larson, E., & Quiros, D. (2017). Infection control practices and their impact on
patient safety: A nurse’s role. American Journal of Infection Control, 45(1), 1-6.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2016.08.014
6. Dubberke, E. R., & Carling, P. C. (2017). Environmental cleaning and disinfection:
The essential elements of infection prevention in healthcare facilities. Infection Control
&
Hospital
Epidemiology,
38(3),
276-284.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/ice.2016.238
7. Panton, C. P., & Dellinger, E. P. (2019). Antimicrobial stewardship and infection
prevention: A collaboration to combat antimicrobial resistance. Clinical Infectious
Diseases,
68(3),
410-416.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciy644
8. Morris, M. A., & Lister, C. (2018). Strategies to improve antibiotic stewardship in
nursing practice. Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 33(2), 124-130.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/NCQ.0000000000000320
9. March, D. A., & Callahan, J. E. (2020). Nursing’s role in infection prevention: A
framework for best practices. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 76(4), 980-988.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.14232
10. Gorski, L. A., & McManus, A. (2019). Infection control strategies: Enhancing
patient safety through collaborative efforts. Nursing Clinics of North America, 54(3),
369-378.