Question

Topic:How does handwashing prevent intensive care unit patients in the hospital from nosocomial infection compare to usage of hand sanitizer to reduce the risk of infection in the first two weeks?

DIRECTION: Make a power point of this paper.

Course project

In recent years, attention to health care associated infections (HAIs) formerly referred to as nosocomial infections. The impact of infectious disease changes through time as microorganisms mutate, as human behavior patterns shift, or as therapeutic options change. HAND HYGIENE: The most frequent cause of infection outbreaks in health care institutions is transmission by the hands of healthcare workers. Hands should be washed or decontaminated frequently during patient care. When hands are visibly dirty or contaminated with biologic material from patient care, hands should be washed with soap and water. In this paper we will emphasize the effectiveness of hands hygiene compare to hands sanitizer.

PICOT

In intensive care units and other locations in which virulent or resistant organisms are likely to be present antimicrobial agents such as chlorhexidine gluconate, iodophors, chloroxylenol and triclosan may be used. Effective hand washing requires at least 15 seconds of vigorous scrubbing, with special attention to the area around nail beds and between fingers, where there is a high bacterial load. Hands should be thoroughly rinsed after washing. Because they are formulated with emollients, they are usually better tolerated than other agents, and because they can be used without sinks and towels. Hand washing or disinfection reduces the bacterial load and decreases the risk of transfer to other patients.

Hands Hygiene and hand sanitizer

When hands are not visibly soiled, health care providers are strongly encouraged to use alcohol-based waterless antiseptic agents for routine hand decontamination. These solutions are superior to soap or antimicrobial handwashing agents in their speed of action and effectiveness against microorganisms. Reduction in the infection rates and microbial counts on health care providers.Also, improvements in skin conditions of health care providers and reduction in infection rates. Other practices such as frequency and quality of hand hygiene reduces the risk of cross-contamination.

Integration of evidence

Direct observation of hand hygiene by health care providers is considered as the " golden standard" of measurement methods. Observation helps to allow which hand hygiene products are used, the thoroughness of cleansing, the tools and techniques used for drying, the use of gloves,and whether the staff are performing hand hygiene whenever there is an opportunity to do so. This method helps to give a feedback when improvement is needed. MEASURING PRODUCT USE: Measuring the amount of soap, alcohol-based hand rub and paper towels that health care workers used is an indirect way of estimating staff adherence to hand hygiene guidelines.

Implementation of methods

Effective hand washing requires at least 15 seconds of vigorous scrubbing, with special attention to the area around nail beds and between fingers, where there is a high bacterial load. Hands should be thoroughly rinsed after washing. If hands are not visibly soiled, health care providers are strongly encouraged to use alcohol-based waterless antiseptic agents for routine hand decontamination.

Conclusion

Hospital acquired infections (HAIs) is a major safety concern for both health care providers and the patients. Considering morbidity, mortality, increased length of stay and the cost, efforts should be made to make the hospitals as safe as possible by preventing such infections.The best and most effective way to prevent is perfoming hands hygiene to avoid spreading diseases such as C.diff which is resistant to alcohol base hand sanitizers.

Answer 1

Slide 1:
Introduction:
• Health care associated infection (HAIs) are referred to as nosocomial infections.
• The most common cause of infection outbreaks is transmission by the hands of health care workers.
Slide 2:
Hand hygiene:
• Hands should be washed or decontaminated frequently during patient care.
• When hands are visibly dirty, clean with soap and water.
Slide 3:
PICOT
• Antimicrobial agents like chlorhexidine gluconate, iodophors, chloroxylenol and triclosan may be used in intensive care units and other highly infectious locations.
• Hand washing should be done effectively for at least 15 seconds with vigorous scrubbing .
• After scrubbing hands should be thoroughly rinsed with water.
Slide 4:
Hand hygiene and hand sanitizer:
• Alcohol based waterless antiseptic agents are useful when there is no visible soiling of hands.
• These solutions are more effective and faster action than soaps or antimicrobial agents.
Slide 5:
Integration of evidence:
• Direct observation of hand hygiene is called as the “golden standard” of measurement methods.
• Observation notes which hand hygiene products are used, thoroughness of cleansing, tools and techniques used for drying, use of gloves.
• This gives a feedback for improvement.
Slide 6:
Measuring product used:
• Measuring the amount of soap, alcohol based hand rub and paper towels used is an indirect way of estimating staff adherence to hand hygiene guidelines.
Slide 7:
Implementation of methods:
• Hands should be vigorously scrubbed for at least 15 seconds with special attention to the area around nail beds and between fingers.
• Hands should be thoroughly rinsed with water after scrubbing.
• If hands are not visibly soiled, alcohol based waterless antiseptic agents can be used.
Slide 8:
Conclusion:
• Nosocomial infections are a major safety concern for both health care providers and patients.
• The best and most effective way to prevent infections is by performing hand hygiene mostly by avoiding spreading of diseases like C.diff which is resistant to alcohol based hand sanitizer.