Infection Control in Nursing: A Reflective Essay - NUR1299

This reflective essay examines infection control practices within a clinical setting, drawing on a student's first-hand experience. The essay begins with an introduction emphasizing the importance of infection prevention in healthcare. It then describes a specific event where the student observed a potential breach of infection control protocols by a senior nurse. The essay identifies clinical factors, such as resources, communication, and staff education, that influence the delivery of care. It explores the student's feelings and emotions related to the observed event and the values that underpinned their thoughts. An analysis of the situation is provided, followed by proposed action plans to improve infection control practices. The essay concludes by reinforcing the significance of good hygiene and patient care, and references relevant academic sources.

Nursing

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
DESCRIPTION OF THE EVENT..................................................................................................1
IDENTIFYING CLINICAL FACTORS INFLUENCING THE DELIVERY OF CARE..............2
FEELING AND EMOTIONS..........................................................................................................2
VALUE UNDERPIN THOUGHTS ...............................................................................................2
ANALYSIS......................................................................................................................................2
ACTION PLANS.............................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................3
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................4

INTRODUCTION
Achieving as well as maintaining high level of safety and quality of services is very much
important in context of clinical setting. Infection prevention which is very much crucial in
context of preventing the spread of infections which can have negative effect on the health of
patients as well as workers working in clinical setting.
The purpose of the report is to analyze the way infection control activities are executed
by health care institution.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EVENT
On the first day of my job I have been provided with training related to nursing practice.
I have been first given advice to wash my hand before assessing the patient or before providing
them medication. I believe this is a good practices in order to control infection. On the first day I
was asked to observe all the activities executed by my senior. (Henry, Smith & Cassella, 2017).
I perceive this as a good practice, as by analyzing the information correctly nurses can adhere to
the NMC code which is very much important in order to avoid ethical issues as well as medical
errors.
While I was working in a health care institution I was asked by my leader remove wound
dressing of patient who has undergone abdominal surgery. I removed the dressing under my
mentor's supervision, using a non-touch procedure, and cleaned the wound, My leader ad been
with another patient, examining their wound, and I noticed that she came straight to patient for
examining his wound. I also noticed that she was wearing a long-sleeved shirt, and I was
concerned that the cuffs could be contaminated. I thought for a moment about what to do or say,
but by the time I don't have enough courage to say something, I thought it was too late as she
was already examining patient.
IDENTIFYING CLINICAL FACTORS INFLUENCING THE DELIVERY
OF CARE
There are several clinical factors such as resources, culture and leadership can have both
positive and negative effect on delivery of care. In addition to this, I have also analyzed working
in health care institutions that relationship between nurse and patient is important factor which
has great influence on the quality of care (Mahomed, Sturm & Moodley, 2018). I perceive that
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an effective communication between patients, visitors, medical staff is very much crucial in
order to prevent the spread of infection. Thus, good clinically environment positively influence
the aspect of care. In addition to this, skills as well as education posses by medical staff also have
the direct as well as significant effect on the quality of services in health nad social care
institution.
FEELING AND EMOTIONS
I alarmed by this, as I had expected the doctor to wash her hands or use alcohol gel
before examining patient. I felt disappointed with the doctor as I perceive that she has much
more experience than me. By analysing the good practices related to infection control as well as
prevention that are executed by other medical staff in NHS I feel glad and proud to be part of
such health care institutions. I have good experience working in NHS.
VALUE UNDERPIN THOUGHTS
While working in health and social care institution while monitoring the infection control
measures or practices executed by medical staff I was thinking about the techniques which can
be utilized for managing high-risk situations. (Woldemicael, Bradley & Giuliani, 2018). Looking
back on this incident, I can see that I should have acted sooner, and that I should have ensured
that the doctor washed her hands before examining Patient. I can now see that my inaction in
situation where doctor was not taking prevention measures put patient life at risk.
ANALYSIS
While working in health care institutions I have analysed there are few factors such as
clinical environment as well as resources that have direct as well as significant influence on
quality of services. I have also analysed that infection prevention and control practices have
focus on prompt screening of suspecting patients for a virus as early detection of the signs can
prevent an outbreak on the ward (Swaminathan, Prasad & Ohri, 2017). While working as
infection prevention and control support nurses I have experienced that there are various types of
barriers which might occur in preventing the spread of these are lack of training, resources etc.
ACTION PLANS
I perceive that nurses as well as other medical staff can be provided with training related
to the infection as well as prevention control measures. I also think that organization should
develop some policies related to hygiene, as this strategy will help in promoting the infection
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control practices at workplace (Tissingh, Sudlow, Jones & Nolan, 2017). Doctors as well as other
staff members in health care institution can be provided with guidelines which can consists of
detail of several symptoms of infectious disease so that they can provide quick treatment to such
patients (McConeghy, Baier & Mor, 2017). Patients suffering from infectious disease should be
provided with spread wards. I also perceive that doctors or nurses who are dealing with patient
suffering from infectious disease are provided with the safety equipment. My next purpose to
develop my assertive ability when working with colleagues, in order to ensure that the well-
being of clients is maintained.
CONCLUSION
It has been concluded from the report that good hygiene practices by medical staff can be
one of the best measure to control the spread of infections. After getting experience, I have
realized that I need to be supportive to colleagues, understanding the pressures that they may be
under, but ensuring that their practice does not put clients at risk.
It has been recommended to medical staff in hospital to provide proper care as well as
quality services to patient suffering from infectious disease.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Chan, B. C. Y., Al‐Niaimi, F., & Mallipeddi, R. (2017). Infection control practices in Mohs
micrographic surgery: a UK national survey. British Journal of Dermatology, 177(5),
e204-e205.
Tissingh, E. K., Sudlow, A.,Jones, A., & Nolan, J. F. (2017). Orthopaedic surgical site infection
surveillance in NHS England: national audit of current practice. The bone & joint journal,
99(2), 171-174.
Aliyu, S., Smaldone, A., & Larson, E. (2017). Prevalence of multidrug-resistant gram-negative
bacteria among nursing home residents: A systematic review and meta-analysis. American
journal of infection control, 45(5), 512-518.
McDonald, L. C., Kutty, P. K., & Kaplan, S. L. (2017). Clostridium difficile infection:
Prevention and control. Up to, 324, 1-12.
Henry, E. J., Smith, R., & Cassella, J. P. (2017). Infection control in the UK: an antimicrobial
resistance perspective. International Journal of Infection Control, 13(2).
Mahomed, S., Sturm, A. W., & Moodley, P. (2018). An evaluation of infection control in private
and public sector intensive care units in South Africa. Journal of infection prevention,
19(2), 87-93.
Woldemicael, A. Y., Bradley, S., & Giuliani, S. (2018). Surgical Site Infection in a Tertiary
Neonatal Surgery Centre. European Journal of Pediatric Surgery.
Swaminathan, S., Prasad, J., & Ohri, V. (2017). Strengthening infection prevention and control
and systematic surveillance of healthcare associated infections in India. bmj, 358, j3768.
McConeghy, K. W., Baier, R., & Mor, V. (2017). Implementing a Pilot Trial of an Infection
Control Program in Nursing Homes: Results of a Matched Cluster Randomized Trial.
Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 18(8), 707-712.
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