Nosocomial_Infections

Part A : Nosocomial Infections Nosocomial infections also known today as health care associated infection . This type of infection can be acquired while a person is a patient, client, resident of a health care facility or from any health care provider. These infections are not only acquired in health care facilities but also from home care and in community settings such as stores, churches, and schools. The most common infections that are acquired within the health care settings are respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal tract infections and skin infections. Alot of the time these infections are acquired in the health care facilities but are not detected until after discharge. These infections can become serious in sick, frail and older clients. Nosocomial infections are a concern because they are so easily transmitted between people. Once these infections are acquired and have not been detected, they can become difficult to treat and the treatment for them can impair the normal human defences. Nosocomial infections are a concern with the elderly because often older adults will not show the same signs as younger adults, change in behaviour in the elderly is sometimes the only sign and it makes it harder for health care providers to detect. Some of the ways a CCA can break the chain for the spreading of these infections are taking care of themselves, bathe often along with keeping hair, teeth and nails free of pathogens, proper hand hygiene, keeping linens away from their uniforms and the floor and if there is a known infection always use personal protective equipment. Another way to prevent the spreading of these infections would be the continuing education of hospital staff and all other care givers about the importance of their role in preventing nosocomial infections. Part B : Importance of Gloves As I am becoming a part of the health care system I believe that proper hand hygiene done well and often is more important than the usage of gloves, in my opinion gloves are a layer of extra protection. In the health care system we use our hands for almost everything. I believe gloves do play a big part in health care but are not always necessary. Wearing gloves when there is no need will eventually cause our skin to dry and crack open, cracked skin is an opening that an infection can enter the body. Gloves do protect us from acquiring infections from clients and also protect the clients from acquiring infections that we as care givers may be carrying. However wearing gloves will only help prevent cross infection if they fit properly and are removed properly. I do believe that gloves should be worn when dealing with a client with a known infection, in contact with blood, body fluids, assisting with a sterile procedure and when disinfecting or handling contaminated items. We should always be conscious of what our contaminated gloves may be touching. Fixing your hair, touching your eyes, nose , mouth and clothing may leave behind contamination and infections that can be transferred to others. I do not believe that gloves are needed when touching common surfaces. We as care givers also have to take into consideration that if we are wearing gloves the client maybe allergic to latex. If this is the case it should be in the clients care plan but we should always carry latex free alternatives. I believe that wearing gloves around clients when they are not needed may lead them to thinking we think they have bad hygiene and then they may be ashamed for no reason. In my opinion we as support workers have to be aware of our surroundings and to use good judgement to know when it is right to use gloves. Personal Care Assignment 1 Theressa Swim September 14, 2010