Cross-Contamination Research Paper

The incidents and increased complications of diseases in hospitals continue to escalate. Cross-contamination is a concern because the spread of microorganism from room to room can rapidly become a big outbreak. Understanding the modes of prevention is vital for the success against bacteria; these responsibilities apply to everybody working and visiting a hospital. Using a good hand washing techniques, proper wear of personal protective equipment and sterilization of surgical equipments are the first line of defense in preventing cross-contamination in a hospital setting.
Effective hand washing is a key against the spread of bacteria; it is an easy technique to learn and can reduce the spread of infectious diseases among patients and staff. Healthcare workers should wash their hands before and after touching a patient, or performing a procedure. It is generally best to wash hands with soap and water; always avoid touching the sink. With a clean paper towel,
turn the water on, wet the hands, and apply soap rubbing them vigorously for about 20 seconds. A good technique involves emphasizing around the wrist area and under fingernails since a lot of bacteria is most likely to grow in moist and dark areas. Rinse hands thoroughly with water pointing fingers down, so water will not drip toward elbows and dry them completely using another clean paper towel, then turn the facet off. In the case that soap and water are not immediately available at a site, consider using an appropriate disinfectant cleaner. Now days there is a variety of hand sanitizers, some of them come in a form of gel, liquid, or foam. Hand sanitizers should remain on the hands for at least 20 seconds to be effective, and wash the hands again as soon as soap and water become available. Hand hygiene is the responsibility of all; it is inexpensive and is the most effective way to prevent diseases.
Preventing cross-contamination includes the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) a gear is design to protect from exposure to microorganisms in case of splashes, body substances, secretions or excretions. Examples of PPE include gloves, gowns, goggles, mask and respirators. The proper order to put on and remove the PPE is very important. To maximize its effectiveness don gown first, put on the mask pinching the metal clamp over the bridge of the nose, put on the goggles and last slips on gloves. To remove the PPE, first take the gloves off, then the goggles, the gown and last the mask. Be aware of when PPE is necessary; choose them based on the procedure need to perform, and the mode of the disease transmission. It is recommended to assume that patient’s body fluids may be infectious in order to prevent cross-contamination.
Sterilization of medical and surgical instrument before use on each patient is a critical aspect in the battle against the spread of microorganisms.
Sterilization is a process designed to destroy all possible forms of microorganisms, any surgical instruments that enter sterile tissue require sterilization before each use. There are different types of sterilization methods; the most reliable technique is using steam under pressure or hot air. Other sterilization methods include ethylene oxide a chemical agent, filtration, and ionizing radiation. It is important to maintain a sterile field; medical staff can use any amount of medical tools in any procedure. If the infected patient touches a sterile instrument or surface, that area becomes contaminated, and if another patient touches that surrounding could then develop an infection. In general, objects should be sterile, free of microorganisms after sterilization to prevent cross-contamination and management of sterile surgical instruments minimizes the
risk.
Invisible to people eyes, microorganisms are present in a hospital setting; learning how to prevent cross-contamination is the responsibility of all. Not all infections can be prevented, but there are measurements to decrease the risks. Hand hygiene before and after caring for a patient can prevent cross-contamination. The proper use of personal protective equipment not only contributes to the best of patient care outcome, but it also protects health care workers. Sterilization of medical equipments is not less important because the goal is to create as germ free an environment as possible. Since these aspects are a major contribution to patient care and crucial to a successful outcome, the best defense against the dangers of bacteria is prevention.