Microbial Cross-Contamination

Germs and many other diseases spread primarily through airborne particles, skin to skin contact, and or touching objects such as door handles, hospital buttons, or by sharing patient possessions. Nurses and other health care clinicians are constantly in physical contact with many different patients, who all have varying illness’ and diseases themselves. Many may also carry a

Things that are used commonly by students and staff should be routinely disinfected to ensure the health and safety of the people using the provided materials. Bacteria is related to disease (American Association for the Advancement of Science, 1885) Previous studies on the surface of a high school telephone showed that the phones had an uncountable number of bacteria colonies (Yalowitz, 2003). We know that surfaces used by the public often become contaminated because of the bacteria on peoples hands. A study on the bacteria on peoples hands showed that 28% of people have fecal matter on their hands (Judah, 2010). A study done on the contamination on public doorknobs showed that over 86.7% were contaminated (Nworie, 2012). This experiment was to show us how much bacteria is on the surface of the things we use

Dirty equipment – having dirty equipment which is not cleaned between patients can spread infection very fast lots of bacteria can be spread on a blood pressure cuff for example.

Sterile Processing compromises a service of which the medical and surgical supplies of any medical facility’s equipment and instrumentation- sterile or non-sterile are cleaned, prepared, processed, stored, and distributed throughout the healthcare facility. There are several functions of this highly skilled team perform on a daily basis from decontamination to the sterilization of high risk medical implant devices. They are the first line of defense in infection prevention for any patient receiving medical treatment in healthcare facilities. Japp (2014) affirmed the importance of properly processing medical devices performed by Sterile Processing technicians for patient safety by stating a critical point “Not following the correct process can be detrimental to the patient as the device that we are assuming is safe for the patient may all actually cause severe illness or death” (p.

Me: Question #1- How can you briefly describe what a microbiologist is to those who do not know?

In addition, the research has also relied on the laboratory data to complete this research (Garner, Jarvis, Emori, Horan, Hughes, 1998). Information given in the article, Infection surveillance in home care: device-related incidence rates were also used by the researchers to accomplish the research.

The dirtiest thing you own maybe your cell phone. Imagine what touches your phone the most, probably your hands and face. Since cell phones are everywhere and have become one of the most helpful tools of our generation, they have their drawbacks. The use of cell phones happens everywhere today, one place being the hospital. From a study of phones and spreading of bacteria associated with health care associated infections, Karabay states, “Our study reveals that mobile phones may get contaminated by bacteria (such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae), which cause hospital infections, and may serve as a vehicle for the spread of nosocomial pathogens” (Karabay, 2007). Touching contaminated

Microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites can be transmitted to patients via poor quality cross infection control measures e.g. inadequate cleaning, disinfecting and sterilising of instruments, equipments and surfaces around the hospital

Every day while caring for patients, dedicated health care workers all over the world face potential risks of exposure to infectious disease bacteria or bloodborne viruses due to unintentional punctures with needlesticks or sharps, or accidental contact with bodily secretions, excretions and contaminated items (Wilburn, 2004). The occurrence of undesirable complications can arise from medical errors when safety guideline and control mechanisms are not followed. On occasion healthcare workers may accidentally acquire infections due to the misuse or improper fit of personal protective equipment (PPE) and coverings while attending to individuals seeking out medical attention that may be unexpectedly and unknowingly carrying a communicable disease

Most of the germs causing bacteria are transmitted to the patient by hands during the patient care (World Health Organization, 2016). The surfaces in patient rooms, the health care workers (HCWs) clothing, and the instruments used by the HCW can be contaminated. Proper hand hygiene is needed to prevent or reduce the transmission of HCAIs in patients. Urinary tract infection, surgical site infection, pneumonia and infections of the bloodstream can be contacted through improper hand hygiene. HCAIs are the major cause of morbidity and mortality (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP), 2016). These infections cost the health care system billions of dollars every year and several losses of lives. It can have disastrous emotional, financial and medical impact on patients and their family members. These infections jeopardize the safety and care for patients (WHO, 2016). Hand hygiene is the first line of defense against infections. Before contact with patient, hand hygiene should be performed by hand washing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand rub. Hands should be disinfected before patient contact, prior to and following the insertion of any invasive devices, before using gloves for central intravascular catheter insertion (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2016). Hand should be cleaned following checking vital signs, contact with mucous

The fascination with technology and handheld devices impacts all of us at professional and personal level. I realize that electronic gadgets are very helpful, but at the same time, no one can deny the negative influence it has on quality of work performance. Therefore, to control inappropriate use of cell phones while caring for patients, the organizations must implement a policy outlining guidelines and rules of behavior related to BYOD. Correspondingly, every medical facility it is obligated to obtain HIPAA document signed by each employee to assure confidentiality of patient information and when a contract is broken one may be terminated on the grounds of illegal conduct. Therefore, the same way the BOYD policy should be introduced to all

Smart phone are contributing in health care they are invented. Internet base mobile devices are also connected to social media. Using smartphone while on duty is not unprofessional until it is used under the limits of the agency and HIPAA. If we are using smartphone, which is beneficial

Clinic computers should be used for clinic purposes only. Cell phones should not be used unless it is urgent, at which point scribes are asked to take calls or text in the break room or an area away from patients and providers.

All digital devices release some form of radiation and the amount of use throughout the entire world will eventually increase the risk of cancer for everyone due to the bulk of exposure from the environment alone. Also noted was the malfunction of other electronics due to blue tooth devices being operated in their presence. Why release a product unless cleared of these issues first? Airlines always announce before take-off to turn off all devices. This is something that should be done everywhere a problem could arise and a good place to start charging a fine if not adhered to. Here’s a funny thought, what if it’s the energy field released from our bodies affecting our personal devices which in turn affects other electronic devices. Maybe researchers in the medical/technical fields need to investigate a little

The cell phones have very bad effect on the environment. The cell phones which are thrown away after not capable to work properly can badly affect our environment. The cell phones contain bio accumulative metals which become toxic over a period of time. The hazardous substances like cadmium, lead, nickel and mercury are present in cell phones which are capable of causing cancer and other fatal diseases if cell phones are not disposed properly.