A Behind the Scenes Look at Infection Control in Hospital Settings
Infection control encompasses the procedures and corresponding policies employed to reduce the threat of spreading infections, particularly in clinical, medical or health care settings. The main goal is minimizing the incidences of infectious diseases. Most diseases are bacterial or viral in origin and are spread in a variety of ways.
The purpose of a hospital is to make people feel better than when they were admitted. However, this can really put a crimp in things if you develop a hospital acquired infection. That is why there are infection control policies in place to ensure that this does not happen. In fact, many medical facilities these days appoint one or more people to govern and oversee infection control.
Defining Infection Control
Infection control encompasses the procedures and corresponding policies employed to reduce the threat of spreading infections, particularly in clinical, medical or health care settings. The main goal is minimizing the incidences of infectious diseases. Most diseases are bacterial or viral in origin and are spread in a variety of ways.
Infection control looks at how the infection was spread such as human to human contact or airborne transportation through the spread of droplets like in coughing or sneezing. In addition, animal to human contact is a possibility as well as human contact with an infectious surface. Of course, water and food are additional ways that infection is spread. Infection control officers study all possible scenarios.
The Reason for Infection Control in Health Care
Nosocomial infections aka hospital acquired infections happen every day and it is estimate that up to 10 % of all hospital patients acquire a secondary infection from their stay. Some patients are more susceptible to infection and have weak immune systems. In addition, certain medical practices or lack thereof contribute to the increase of infection as well.
Because of highly infectious bacteria like staph, there has been an increase in infection control measures. Antibiotic resistance can be a contributing factor as well. That is why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have continually modified a set of guidelines that all infection control departments in health care setting should follow to reduce infection problems.
Infection Control NurseSwimming, sweating and rain are three reasons why repellants may have to be re-applied sooner than indicated. Otherwise, just reapply as needed to ensure your protection against mosquitoes, ticks and other beasties that cause infection.
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New diseases are being discovered all the time as well as hardier strains of existing bacteria and viruses which means that infection control departments have to be particularly diligent at all times, examining everything from the check-in of a patient to quality control in the cafeteria to proper sterilization techniques for the equipment. No stone is left unturned in the pursuit of determining the causes of nosocomial infections.
Other things that infection control departments look at include: ventilation systems, new medical equipment which could reduce infection, proper handling of contaminated sheets, hand washing and hygiene measures, proper masking and gowning and even developing continuing education materials about infection that can be distributed to the public as well as the staff.
Infection control is not just practiced in hospitals; it is practiced in any health care facility. This includes dental offices, animal shelters, laboratories, school settings, doctor offices and even nursing homes. Any location where some type of medical care is given should have infection control measures in place. The job of an infection control officer or department can be quite thankless. There are countless details to know and implement so continuing education for a person or people in that position is ongoing. It pays off to be diligent when it comes to learning about new strains or outbreaks as well as revolutionary tools and treatments to stave off infection.
Latest News Regarding Infection Control ?
11/21/2008
233,000 Americans don't know they have HIV (UPI)
WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Some 1.1 million people in the United States are infected with HIV and nearly 233,000 are unaware of their infection, a forum on HIV research said Thursday.
233,000 Americans don't know they have HIV (UPI)
11/20/2008
Nephros Provides Corporate Update (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
Nephros, Inc. , a medical device company developing and marketing filtration products for therapeutic applications, infection control, and water purification, today provided an update on its operations and strategy.
Nephros Provides Corporate Update (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
11/19/2008
Hospital must do more to halt infection, patient says (Guelph Mercury)
GUELPH (Nov 19, 2008) -- A Guelph General Hospital patient says medical staff need to do more to halt the spread of a contagious bacteria, though an infection control officer counters that current measures are aggressive.
Hospital must do more to halt infection, patient says (Guelph Mercury)
11/21/2008
Better Tracking of a Childhood Infection Needed, Officials Say (The Sarasota Herald-Tribune)
Federal officials urged doctors and state health agencies to be more vigilant for suspected cases of Haemophilus influenzae type B in children under 5.
Better Tracking of a Childhood Infection Needed, Officials Say (The Sarasota Herald-Tribune)
11/18/2008
Nanosonics appoints European distributors for infection control product (Pharmaceutical Business Review)
Nanosonics, an Australia-based company engaged in R&D and commercialization of infection control and decontamination products, has formally appointed its first exclusive distributors in Europe located in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France and Scandinavia.
Nanosonics appoints European distributors for infection control product (Pharmaceutical Business Review)
11/19/2008
Hospital must do more to halt infection, patient says (Guelph Mercury)
GUELPH (Nov 19, 2008) -- A Guelph General Hospital patient says medical staff need to do more to halt the spread of a contagious bacteria, though an infection control officer counters that current measures are aggressive.
Hospital must do more to halt infection, patient says (Guelph Mercury)
11/18/2008
Nanosonics appoints European distributors for infection control product (Pharmaceutical Business Review)
Nanosonics, an Australia-based company engaged in R&D and commercialization of infection control and decontamination products, has formally appointed its first exclusive distributors in Europe located in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France and Scandinavia.
Nanosonics appoints European distributors for infection control product (Pharmaceutical Business Review)
11/19/2008
Hospital must do more to halt infection, patient says (Guelph Mercury)
GUELPH (Nov 19, 2008) -- A Guelph General Hospital patient says medical staff need to do more to halt the spread of a contagious bacteria, though an infection control officer counters that current measures are aggressive.
Hospital must do more to halt infection, patient says (Guelph Mercury)
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