Why Is Infection Control Important
The importance of both infection control and communication are vital skills when relating them to practice. Throughout this assignment there will be links to different experiences in acute care as well as past health care experiences which are suitable. During any health care placement, there are many important skills needed communication being one. This being significant as you need to learn to work within different boundaries as well as understanding different ways to communicate. Infection control is a key factor in nursing, as it is important to have a deep understanding of how infections are spread so that collectively the NHS can put an end to this reoccurring epidemic. By understanding these terms, it will insure a successful role of
a nurse following the NMC.
Infection control and handwashing
Infection control is how to prevent the cross contamination of microorganisms from patient to patient. Throughout hospitals lives are lost due to the spread of infections, however workers within healthcare can avoid different infectious diseases spreading (Dr. Mercola. 2014). Many steps can be followed as part of infection control. Each different health care facility will have its own team to ensure that infection control is put into place and that it is correctly followed. For example, correct handwashing. This is the most effective way to prevent the spread of infection within a hospital (Melling, P. 2006a). This however, is not always followed and can sometimes be replaced with other methods such as hand gels and gloves. When undergoing a placement on a surgical ward in the north west of England it was present that infection control wasn’t always followed. This demonstrated bad practice within the ward and should have been reported to the infection control team as diseases could have been spread. However, when handwashing was followed properly within the hospital the spreading of infections was considerably lower. When witnessing health care professionals thoroughly wash their hands they were following the Ayliff technique and using anti-bacterial soaps, which are essential to follow as part of the NMC regulator of nurse’s conduct. All nurses should follow the NMC ensuring that they are giving persistent care and following all ways to stop infection from spreading this is done by following the NMC guidelines.
a nurse following the NMC.
Infection control and handwashing
Infection control is how to prevent the cross contamination of microorganisms from patient to patient. Throughout hospitals lives are lost due to the spread of infections, however workers within healthcare can avoid different infectious diseases spreading (Dr. Mercola. 2014). Many steps can be followed as part of infection control. Each different health care facility will have its own team to ensure that infection control is put into place and that it is correctly followed. For example, correct handwashing. This is the most effective way to prevent the spread of infection within a hospital (Melling, P. 2006a). This however, is not always followed and can sometimes be replaced with other methods such as hand gels and gloves. When undergoing a placement on a surgical ward in the north west of England it was present that infection control wasn’t always followed. This demonstrated bad practice within the ward and should have been reported to the infection control team as diseases could have been spread. However, when handwashing was followed properly within the hospital the spreading of infections was considerably lower. When witnessing health care professionals thoroughly wash their hands they were following the Ayliff technique and using anti-bacterial soaps, which are essential to follow as part of the NMC regulator of nurse’s conduct. All nurses should follow the NMC ensuring that they are giving persistent care and following all ways to stop infection from spreading this is done by following the NMC guidelines.