Hospital Associated Infections Are Taking a Toll
How Healthcare Associated Infections are Spread
The majority of healthcare associated infections are preventable. Healthcare workers need to be properly trained in infection control procedures. From the simple steps of proper hand washing and personal protective equipment to sterilization of equipment and the use of antimicrobials, the prevention of HAIs is literally in the hands of healthcare workers. Proper monitoring and retraining is also a necessary step in breaking the deadly cycle of healthcare associated infections.
HAIs are also spread through the use of catheters, ventilators and other medical devices. Improper care, maintenance and sterilization are reason behind the spread of healthcare associated infections when a device is in use. Once again, the key to prevention is proper training and oversight.
Other factors have also been shown to increase the rate of healthcare associated infections. These include the physical layout of the facility, such as open beds together, contaminated ventilation systems and a too high nurse to patient ratio.
Prevention is the Key
As pointed out above. The single biggest factor in controlling the spread of healthcare associated infections is prevention. Prevention has to be part of the institutional culture. In the healthcare setting, every worker from the environmental service worker to the top administrators has to know and realize their part in helping stop the spread of HAIs. Everyone needs to be trained in infection control techniques. A basic understanding of how hospital associated infections are spread is also germane to the culture of prevention. It does not stop here though. Every healthcare worker also needs to go through annual competency testing to make sure they thoroughly understand their roles in the prevention of healthcare associated infections. Lastly, visitors to healthcare facilities also need to be educated in how they can do their part in preventing the spread of hospital associated infections.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Published by Ray Mickol
Ray Mickol has worked as a Firefighter and Paramedic for over twenty years. Mr. Mickol is certified as an American Heart Association Instructor. He is also credentialed as a State of Ohio CE Instructor. As w... View profile
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