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Infection Control Precautions

Decent Essays

Pre-Simulation Assignment A&E 1, Module 1
Margaret Chase

Describe different types of infection control precautions. Why is it important to follow infection control guidelines? Describe the importance of hand-washing.
Different types of infection control precautions:
-Medical and surgical aseptic techniques can be used to prevent the onset and transmission of a potential pathogen, and break the chain of infection.
-Medical asepsis consists of “hand hygiene, barrier techniques (e.g., use of gloves mask, and gown), and routine environmental cleaning” (Griffin, 2016, pp.74)
-Surgical Asepsis, which consists of maintaining a sterile environment in a surgical setting at all times; “a sterile barrier that has been permeated by punctures, tears, …show more content…

An example: Ebola
-Ensuring medical equipment that is to be used on patients is safe and hygienic for each use.
Why it is important to follow infection control guidelines:
-To reduce the incidence and prevalence of health care-associated infections (HAI’s)
-To reduce the likelihood of infections being transmitted or spread by upholding preventative measures to stop cross-contamination.
-Multi-drug resistant organisms have increased in number in recent years. Infection control minimizes the onset and spread of these potentially fatal pathogens.
Describe the importance of hand-washing:
-Hand-washing is important because it not only uses antimicrobial methods to “effectively reduce bacterial counts on the hands,” but it can also have “residual antimicrobial effects that last for hours” (Griffin, 2016, pp.76)
-Hand-washing can reduce the likelihood of carrying or spreading potential …show more content…

“Musculoskeletal injuries in health care occupations are among the highest of all U.S. industries” (Griffin, 2016, pp.399)
When patients are lifted, moved, or repositioned, health care workers can be subject to serious injury if not practiced with proper mechanics.
In particular, it is important to keep the trunk straight, knees slightly bent, tighten abdominal core muscles, and avoid twisting to prevent spinal injury (Griffin, 2016, pp.399)
Sometimes electronic devices can be used to lift, move, or reposition patients to prevent injury of health care workers.
List the personal protective equipment needed to be worn by the nurse to provide direct care to a patient on contact precautions.
-eyewear, gown, gloves, mask, cap, sometimes shoe covers
What is open simulation practice session? How many hours are all adult and elder 1 students required to attend by the end of the semester?
-An open simulation practice session is a means by which students can practice clinical expertise with an instructor to improve clinical skills for on campus clinical classes, the midterm, and the final exam. Each student is required to attend an hour of open simulation for every on campus

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