Reflecting on Infection Prevention and Control in Nursing Practice
VerifiedAdded on 2022/11/09
|7
|2248
|71
Journal and Reflective Writing
AI Summary
This reflective essay details a nursing student's experience with infection prevention and control in a medical ward, focusing on two patients: one with MDR tuberculosis and another with sepsis and an infected wound. The essay explores the implementation of universal precautions, including mask, gloves, and apron usage, along with strict handwashing techniques. The student reflects on the challenges encountered, such as patient misunderstanding regarding precautions, and the importance of patient education. The reflection analyzes the use of evidence-based literature to support infection control practices, including the use of masks, sterile techniques, and the prevention of nosocomial infections. It also highlights the need for patient-centered care and the nurse's role in educating patients about infection prevention. The student concludes with plans to improve future practice by emphasizing patient education, assessment, and the implementation of sterile techniques.
Infection prevention and control
Context
I was on night shift and I was posted in a medical ward. I was assigned for a
patient with tuberculosis and she was recently diagnosed as MDR tuberculosis.
The patient was 35 years old, with the medical history of tuberculosis for 2years.
She was on medications and isolated for the medical reasons. I was assigned for
her for a week. Along with her, I was assigned to another patient who was
admitted with sepsis and infected wound in her right leg. I was in charge to
impede and control of infection. My two patients are isolated in different rooms.
So, when I care for the patient’s I used to implement the universal precautions
like mask, gloves, and Apron. I also strictly followed the proper hand washing
technique to control the infection. This reflective essay helps in understanding
the situation and helps in learning new ways of infection control for better
outcomes. I am reflecting on the nursing care of patients with communicable
diseases and prevent contagious micro-organisms.
Thoughts
On the second day of my care, the ward was very busy, and I was busy in
meeting the needs of my patients. Even in the busy schedule, I used mask and
gloves when entered the room of the tuberculosis patient to give her night
medications, I remembered that it is the time for dressing for the other patient.
So, I rushed to her room, and I collected the things for wound dressing. I have
done the wound dressing after washing my hands. I used universal precautions
for the patient with an infected wound.
The patient who was assigned to me with sepsis and the infected wound was not
happy to see me with mask and gloves. He also used to watch me washing my
Context
I was on night shift and I was posted in a medical ward. I was assigned for a
patient with tuberculosis and she was recently diagnosed as MDR tuberculosis.
The patient was 35 years old, with the medical history of tuberculosis for 2years.
She was on medications and isolated for the medical reasons. I was assigned for
her for a week. Along with her, I was assigned to another patient who was
admitted with sepsis and infected wound in her right leg. I was in charge to
impede and control of infection. My two patients are isolated in different rooms.
So, when I care for the patient’s I used to implement the universal precautions
like mask, gloves, and Apron. I also strictly followed the proper hand washing
technique to control the infection. This reflective essay helps in understanding
the situation and helps in learning new ways of infection control for better
outcomes. I am reflecting on the nursing care of patients with communicable
diseases and prevent contagious micro-organisms.
Thoughts
On the second day of my care, the ward was very busy, and I was busy in
meeting the needs of my patients. Even in the busy schedule, I used mask and
gloves when entered the room of the tuberculosis patient to give her night
medications, I remembered that it is the time for dressing for the other patient.
So, I rushed to her room, and I collected the things for wound dressing. I have
done the wound dressing after washing my hands. I used universal precautions
for the patient with an infected wound.
The patient who was assigned to me with sepsis and the infected wound was not
happy to see me with mask and gloves. He also used to watch me washing my
Paraphrase This Document
Need a fresh take? Get an instant paraphrase of this document with our AI Paraphraser
hands before and after attending her. He is from the community of indigenous
people of the country. So he misunderstood that her community, infection,
wound with pus and smell are the reason for me using the gloves, mask, apron .
The patient looked depressed and sometimes he was not co-operative for the
nursing care.
Feelings
I was caring for two patients with different communicable diseases. On the day
of the incident, the ward was very busy. But I implemented the universal
precautions abiding the code of ethics and standards of nursing practice. I
planned my nursing duties and implemented as per the nursing process (Aweigh
2015). I used mask and gloves while caring for the patient with tuberculosis. I
washed my hands before collecting the things for the wound dressing and
implemented sterile technique for the patient with sepsis and infected wound
(Broussard, 2018). I disposed the used dressing materials properly to control the
infection. When I did the dressing patient verbalized that the foul smell from the
wound is reduced after the dressing. He also said that pain is reduced after the
dressing procedure.
Evaluation
I am a nurse cautious about infection impediment and control in nursing care. I
was assigned in medical ward I was more cautious in promoting health and
prevention of health. Both my patients were suffering from severe infections. As
a nurse it is my responsibility to prevent further infections and promote health.
When I cared for the patient with tuberculosis I used mask and gloves to protect
myself from the infection. Ignoring universal precautions may spread the
infection. Another patient is suffering from sepsis and infected the wound. If I
failed in doing hand wash before the wound dressing there is a chance of
people of the country. So he misunderstood that her community, infection,
wound with pus and smell are the reason for me using the gloves, mask, apron .
The patient looked depressed and sometimes he was not co-operative for the
nursing care.
Feelings
I was caring for two patients with different communicable diseases. On the day
of the incident, the ward was very busy. But I implemented the universal
precautions abiding the code of ethics and standards of nursing practice. I
planned my nursing duties and implemented as per the nursing process (Aweigh
2015). I used mask and gloves while caring for the patient with tuberculosis. I
washed my hands before collecting the things for the wound dressing and
implemented sterile technique for the patient with sepsis and infected wound
(Broussard, 2018). I disposed the used dressing materials properly to control the
infection. When I did the dressing patient verbalized that the foul smell from the
wound is reduced after the dressing. He also said that pain is reduced after the
dressing procedure.
Evaluation
I am a nurse cautious about infection impediment and control in nursing care. I
was assigned in medical ward I was more cautious in promoting health and
prevention of health. Both my patients were suffering from severe infections. As
a nurse it is my responsibility to prevent further infections and promote health.
When I cared for the patient with tuberculosis I used mask and gloves to protect
myself from the infection. Ignoring universal precautions may spread the
infection. Another patient is suffering from sepsis and infected the wound. If I
failed in doing hand wash before the wound dressing there is a chance of
spreading the tuberculosis infection to the patient with sepsis. This patient is
already suffering from sepsis and infected wound, failed to follow the universal
precautions may delay the wound healing and increases the risk of further
infection.
Analysis
Mistry(2016) done a cross-sectional study on control of contagious
organisms while caring for the patient with tuberculosis. The study proves
that the nurse caring for the patient with tuberculosis should use the
mask. Broussard’s (2018) study on the universal precautions states that the
nurse must wear a mask when caring for the patient with the airborne disease
and droplet infection. A mask should be used when the nurse maintaining 6 feet
distance. He also instructs that the patient with tuberculosis also need to use the
mask as the action of infection prevention and control. He also states that the
patient should use a mask while transportation inside the hospital environment.
According to the Evidence-based literature review I have implemented the
universal precautions even in the busy schedule and was careful that I don’t
transmit the infection instead I have promoted the health of my patients
(Sprague, 2016).
Parker’s (2019) theory on the evidence-based wound management states
that the nurse caring for the patient with infected wound should follow
sterile technique in wound dressing and implement universal precautions
in the nursing practice. Kressel, (2018) proves that universal precautions can
prevent the transmission of micro-organism. He also states that nurses are
responsible for the prevention of infection. Dissanaike (2016) he exhibits the
fight between the pathogens and the immune system of the person. He also
already suffering from sepsis and infected wound, failed to follow the universal
precautions may delay the wound healing and increases the risk of further
infection.
Analysis
Mistry(2016) done a cross-sectional study on control of contagious
organisms while caring for the patient with tuberculosis. The study proves
that the nurse caring for the patient with tuberculosis should use the
mask. Broussard’s (2018) study on the universal precautions states that the
nurse must wear a mask when caring for the patient with the airborne disease
and droplet infection. A mask should be used when the nurse maintaining 6 feet
distance. He also instructs that the patient with tuberculosis also need to use the
mask as the action of infection prevention and control. He also states that the
patient should use a mask while transportation inside the hospital environment.
According to the Evidence-based literature review I have implemented the
universal precautions even in the busy schedule and was careful that I don’t
transmit the infection instead I have promoted the health of my patients
(Sprague, 2016).
Parker’s (2019) theory on the evidence-based wound management states
that the nurse caring for the patient with infected wound should follow
sterile technique in wound dressing and implement universal precautions
in the nursing practice. Kressel, (2018) proves that universal precautions can
prevent the transmission of micro-organism. He also states that nurses are
responsible for the prevention of infection. Dissanaike (2016) he exhibits the
fight between the pathogens and the immune system of the person. He also
⊘ This is a preview!⊘
Do you want full access?
Subscribe today to unlock all pages.
Trusted by 1+ million students worldwide
emphasizes the importance of prevention of contamination in the hospital
environment to prevent Nosocomial infections. When I cared for the patient with
sepsis and infected wound I was careful about prevention of infection. So, as the
action of prevention of infection I strictly followed hand washing before and
after wound dressing . Patient verbalized that the foul smell is absent after the
dressing and his pain over the wound also reduced (Parker, 2019).
Infection prevention is the primary responsibility of the nurse. In the incidence of
patient care with communicable disease and sepsis exhibits the actual duty of
the nurse in patient care. Prevention of contagious disease in the hospital
environment helps in speedy recovery of the patient (Dissanaike, 2016). World
health organization states that the prevention of contamination is the essential
actions to promote the health of the patient. Lack of universal precautions can
lead to various complications like Nosocomial infection, delayed recovery,
delayed wound healing, prolonged hospitalization and possibility of infections in
health care professionals also increases. Implementation of universal precautions
like use of gloves, mask, apron, and goggles controls the spread of infection.
Nurses are the only health professionals work closely with the patients, so nurses
should implement proper hand washing technique and sterile technique in all the
nursing procedures.
Research studies show that patient with tuberculosis has to use a mask which
helps in the spread of infection. I should have implemented the same while
caring for the patient with tuberculosis. I chould have explained the importance
of her using mask which is the important aspect of preventing Nosocomial
infection (Storr, 2017). The patient with sepsis was not happy to see me with
gloves, mask, and apron; he thought that I am a nurse who doesn’t like to touch
a patient with bare hands. I chould have explained the patient that I am using
environment to prevent Nosocomial infections. When I cared for the patient with
sepsis and infected wound I was careful about prevention of infection. So, as the
action of prevention of infection I strictly followed hand washing before and
after wound dressing . Patient verbalized that the foul smell is absent after the
dressing and his pain over the wound also reduced (Parker, 2019).
Infection prevention is the primary responsibility of the nurse. In the incidence of
patient care with communicable disease and sepsis exhibits the actual duty of
the nurse in patient care. Prevention of contagious disease in the hospital
environment helps in speedy recovery of the patient (Dissanaike, 2016). World
health organization states that the prevention of contamination is the essential
actions to promote the health of the patient. Lack of universal precautions can
lead to various complications like Nosocomial infection, delayed recovery,
delayed wound healing, prolonged hospitalization and possibility of infections in
health care professionals also increases. Implementation of universal precautions
like use of gloves, mask, apron, and goggles controls the spread of infection.
Nurses are the only health professionals work closely with the patients, so nurses
should implement proper hand washing technique and sterile technique in all the
nursing procedures.
Research studies show that patient with tuberculosis has to use a mask which
helps in the spread of infection. I should have implemented the same while
caring for the patient with tuberculosis. I chould have explained the importance
of her using mask which is the important aspect of preventing Nosocomial
infection (Storr, 2017). The patient with sepsis was not happy to see me with
gloves, mask, and apron; he thought that I am a nurse who doesn’t like to touch
a patient with bare hands. I chould have explained the patient that I am using
Paraphrase This Document
Need a fresh take? Get an instant paraphrase of this document with our AI Paraphraser
the universal precautions for the benefit of his health and speedy recovery.
Explaining the rationale for the use of gloves, mask, and apron improves the
understanding of the patient and he would have co-operated well for the nursing
procedure.
Reframe
In this incident, caring for the patient with the airborne disease and sepsis was a
good experience helped me learn the importance of patient-centered care and
explaining the patient about infection impediment. I understood that the nurse
should not ignore the universal precautions and hand washing even at the
emergency and busy schedule. Because ignoring the universal precautions and
hand washing may cause transmission of infection (Kressel, 2018). Patients in
the hospital are admitted with illness and infections, the immune system of the
patients are also weak during illness. When nurses neglect the universal
precautions the chance of Nosocomial infections increases (French, 2016). The
nurse can introduce more infectious micro-organisms to patients by neglecting
the universal precautions and hand washing. The nurses play a vital role in the
health profession. Healths of the nurses are also essential for the treatment of
the patients. So the nurses should implement universal precautions to prevent
themselves from infection (Jesus, 2019).
Learning And Future plan
In this incident, the patient with sepsis was not co-operating for the nursing
procedures as he misunderstood that universal precautions as untouchability. I
learned it is the major responsibility of the nurse to educate the patient about
infection prevention and control. I will implement the nursing strategies in my
Explaining the rationale for the use of gloves, mask, and apron improves the
understanding of the patient and he would have co-operated well for the nursing
procedure.
Reframe
In this incident, caring for the patient with the airborne disease and sepsis was a
good experience helped me learn the importance of patient-centered care and
explaining the patient about infection impediment. I understood that the nurse
should not ignore the universal precautions and hand washing even at the
emergency and busy schedule. Because ignoring the universal precautions and
hand washing may cause transmission of infection (Kressel, 2018). Patients in
the hospital are admitted with illness and infections, the immune system of the
patients are also weak during illness. When nurses neglect the universal
precautions the chance of Nosocomial infections increases (French, 2016). The
nurse can introduce more infectious micro-organisms to patients by neglecting
the universal precautions and hand washing. The nurses play a vital role in the
health profession. Healths of the nurses are also essential for the treatment of
the patients. So the nurses should implement universal precautions to prevent
themselves from infection (Jesus, 2019).
Learning And Future plan
In this incident, the patient with sepsis was not co-operating for the nursing
procedures as he misunderstood that universal precautions as untouchability. I
learned it is the major responsibility of the nurse to educate the patient about
infection prevention and control. I will implement the nursing strategies in my
future career for the prevention of contagious diseases and promotion of health.
The strategies are educating the patient on the importance of infection
prevention and control (Sarani, 2016). Assurance of patient centered and family-
centered nursing care will prevent infection and promote health. I will continue
learning with the support of evidence-based literature for the betterment of my
patient. I will do an assessment when I take over a patient and prioritize the
need for prevention of infection and plan the nursing care based on the need of
the patient. I will demonstrate the hand washing technique to my patient’s for
the long term benefit. Nurse’s health is also important in patient care so I use
universal precautions to prevent myself from the infections. I will implement
sterile technique for the invasive nursing procedures (Fashafsheh, 2015).
References
Aweigh, R.A., Semler, J.R., Lebkuecher, A.F. and Scanlan, P.M., 2015.
Tuberculosis Infection Control: An Interdisciplinary Perspective. Clinical
Laboratory Science, 28(1), p.27
https://search.proquest.com/openview/ef45cfacd24cb70d8832e8bad72d287c/1?
pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=35972
Broussard, I.M. and Bhimji, S.S., 2018. Precautions, Universal. In StatPearls
[Internet]. StatPearls Publishing https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470223/
Dissanaike, S., Moore, S.A. and Yang, D., 2016. Infection and Sepsis. In Burn Care
for General Surgeons and General Practitioners (pp. 85-94). Springer, Cham
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-29161-1_7
Fashafsheh, I., Ayed, A., Eqtait, F. and Harazneh, L., 2015. Knowledge and
Practice of Nursing Staff towards Infection Control Measures in the Palestinian
Hospitals. Journal of Education and Practice, 6(4), pp.79-90 https://eric.ed.gov/?
id=EJ1083751
French, C.E., McKenzie, B.C., Coope, C., Rajanaidu, S., Paranthaman, K., Pebody,
R., Nguyen‐Van‐Tam, J.S., Noso‐RSV Study Group, Higgins, J.P. and Beck, C.R.,
2016. Risk of nosocomial respiratory syncytial virus infection and effectiveness of
control measures to prevent transmission events: a systematic review. Influenza
and other respiratory viruses, 10(4), pp.268-290
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/irv.12379
The strategies are educating the patient on the importance of infection
prevention and control (Sarani, 2016). Assurance of patient centered and family-
centered nursing care will prevent infection and promote health. I will continue
learning with the support of evidence-based literature for the betterment of my
patient. I will do an assessment when I take over a patient and prioritize the
need for prevention of infection and plan the nursing care based on the need of
the patient. I will demonstrate the hand washing technique to my patient’s for
the long term benefit. Nurse’s health is also important in patient care so I use
universal precautions to prevent myself from the infections. I will implement
sterile technique for the invasive nursing procedures (Fashafsheh, 2015).
References
Aweigh, R.A., Semler, J.R., Lebkuecher, A.F. and Scanlan, P.M., 2015.
Tuberculosis Infection Control: An Interdisciplinary Perspective. Clinical
Laboratory Science, 28(1), p.27
https://search.proquest.com/openview/ef45cfacd24cb70d8832e8bad72d287c/1?
pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=35972
Broussard, I.M. and Bhimji, S.S., 2018. Precautions, Universal. In StatPearls
[Internet]. StatPearls Publishing https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470223/
Dissanaike, S., Moore, S.A. and Yang, D., 2016. Infection and Sepsis. In Burn Care
for General Surgeons and General Practitioners (pp. 85-94). Springer, Cham
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-29161-1_7
Fashafsheh, I., Ayed, A., Eqtait, F. and Harazneh, L., 2015. Knowledge and
Practice of Nursing Staff towards Infection Control Measures in the Palestinian
Hospitals. Journal of Education and Practice, 6(4), pp.79-90 https://eric.ed.gov/?
id=EJ1083751
French, C.E., McKenzie, B.C., Coope, C., Rajanaidu, S., Paranthaman, K., Pebody,
R., Nguyen‐Van‐Tam, J.S., Noso‐RSV Study Group, Higgins, J.P. and Beck, C.R.,
2016. Risk of nosocomial respiratory syncytial virus infection and effectiveness of
control measures to prevent transmission events: a systematic review. Influenza
and other respiratory viruses, 10(4), pp.268-290
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/irv.12379
⊘ This is a preview!⊘
Do you want full access?
Subscribe today to unlock all pages.
Trusted by 1+ million students worldwide
Jesus, J.B.D., Dias, A.A.L. and Figueiredo, R.M.D., 2019. Specific precautions:
experiences of hospitalized patients. Revista brasileira de enfermagem, 72(4),
pp.874-879http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?
pid=S003471672019000400874&script=sci_arttext
Kressel, A.B., 2018. Contact Precautions to Prevent Pathogen
Transmission. Jama, 320(4), pp.407-407
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2688556
Mistry, Y., Rajdev, S. and Mullan, S., 2016. Scenario of Infection Prevention
and Control Measures for Tuberculosis in Tuberculosis Inpatient and
Outpatient Department in Tertiary Care Hospital. Journal of Tuberculosis
Research, 4(04), p.147
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/2d96/b4f38f61a4db3e67c8f3f0fb117e00a
8e414.pdf
Sarani, H., Balouchi, A., Masinaeinezhad, N. and Ebrahimitabs, E., 2016.
Knowledge, attitude and practice of nurses about standard precautions for
hospital-acquired infection in teaching hospitals affiliated to Zabol University of
Medical Sciences (2014). Global journal of health science, 8(3),
p.193https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4804055/
Storr, J., Twyman, A., Zingg, W., Damani, N., Kilpatrick, C., Reilly, J., Price, L.,
Egger, M., Grayson, M.L., Kelley, E. and Allegranzi, B., 2017. Core components for
effective infection prevention and control programmes: new WHO evidence-
based recommendations. Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control, 6(1),
p.6.https://aricjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13756-016-0149-9
Sprague, E., Reynolds, S. and Brindley, P., 2016. Patient isolation precautions:
are they worth it?. Canadian respiratory
journal, 2016https://www.hindawi.com/journals/crj/2016/5352625/abs/
Parker, C., 2019. Evidence based management of wounds
https://eprints.qut.edu.au/132436/2/132436.pdf
experiences of hospitalized patients. Revista brasileira de enfermagem, 72(4),
pp.874-879http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?
pid=S003471672019000400874&script=sci_arttext
Kressel, A.B., 2018. Contact Precautions to Prevent Pathogen
Transmission. Jama, 320(4), pp.407-407
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2688556
Mistry, Y., Rajdev, S. and Mullan, S., 2016. Scenario of Infection Prevention
and Control Measures for Tuberculosis in Tuberculosis Inpatient and
Outpatient Department in Tertiary Care Hospital. Journal of Tuberculosis
Research, 4(04), p.147
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/2d96/b4f38f61a4db3e67c8f3f0fb117e00a
8e414.pdf
Sarani, H., Balouchi, A., Masinaeinezhad, N. and Ebrahimitabs, E., 2016.
Knowledge, attitude and practice of nurses about standard precautions for
hospital-acquired infection in teaching hospitals affiliated to Zabol University of
Medical Sciences (2014). Global journal of health science, 8(3),
p.193https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4804055/
Storr, J., Twyman, A., Zingg, W., Damani, N., Kilpatrick, C., Reilly, J., Price, L.,
Egger, M., Grayson, M.L., Kelley, E. and Allegranzi, B., 2017. Core components for
effective infection prevention and control programmes: new WHO evidence-
based recommendations. Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control, 6(1),
p.6.https://aricjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13756-016-0149-9
Sprague, E., Reynolds, S. and Brindley, P., 2016. Patient isolation precautions:
are they worth it?. Canadian respiratory
journal, 2016https://www.hindawi.com/journals/crj/2016/5352625/abs/
Parker, C., 2019. Evidence based management of wounds
https://eprints.qut.edu.au/132436/2/132436.pdf
1 out of 7
Related Documents
Your All-in-One AI-Powered Toolkit for Academic Success.
+13062052269
info@desklib.com
Available 24*7 on WhatsApp / Email
![[object Object]](/_next/static/media/star-bottom.7253800d.svg)
Unlock your academic potential
Copyright © 2020–2025 A2Z Services. All Rights Reserved. Developed and managed by ZUCOL.