...A hospital-acquired infection (HAI) or nosocomial infection is an infection whose development is favored by a hospital environment, such as one acquired by a patient during a hospital visit or one developing among hospital staff. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated roughly 1.7 million hospital-associated infections, from all types of microorganisms, including bacteria, combined, cause or contribute to 99,000 deaths each year. In Europe, where hospital surveys have been conducted, the category of Gram-negative infections are estimated to account for two-thirds of the 25,000 deaths each year. Nosocomial infections can cause severe pneumonia and infections of the urinary tract, bloodstream and other parts of the body. Many types are difficult to attack with antibiotics, and antibiotic resistance is spreading to Gram-negative bacteria that can infect people outside the hospital. HAI is sometimes expanded as healthcare-associated infection to emphasize that infections can be correlated with health care in various settings (not just hospitals). Nosocomial infections are commonly transmitted when hospital officials become complacent and personnel do not practice correct hygiene regularly. Also, increased use of outpatient treatment in recent decades means that a greater percentage of people who are hospitalized today are likely to be seriously ill with more weakened immune systems than in the past. Moreover, some medical procedures bypass...
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...Assignment 1: Issues in Public Health- Nosocomial Infections Nosocomial infections are defined simply as hospital-acquired infections. These infections are not present initially and typically occur within 48 hours of a patient’s admission, within 3 days of discharge or approximately 30 days after an operation. (Inweregbu, Dave & Pittard, 2005) Not just in the United States, but also globally, such infections are rising significantly with no solutions available currently. And, though it is exceedingly difficult to gather reliable information, especially within smaller countries, it has been shown that hundreds of millions of individuals are impacted by such infections each year. Nosocomial infections are an endemic globally with high incidence in both developed and undeveloped countries. Such infections are particularly pertinent in both ICU and NICU patients. In America, it is typical to find that 4.5% of patients will fall ill to such infections when taking the entire population into consideration. European countries see a prevalence rate of approximately 7.1% when considering the population as a whole. These rates will become higher when looking at a sample such as the ICU or NICU where rate of infection can range from 30%-51%, taking into consideration, the longer the stay the greater the risk. (World Health Organization) However, when considering the low and middle-income populations of underdeveloped countries, these rates are considerably higher. It is estimated...
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...Evidence Based Practice Western Governors University Tracy Wallace Hospital-acquired pneumonia has a very high morbidity and mortality rate here in the United States and is the second most common nosocomial infection. HAP consists of approximately fifteen percent of all hospital-acquired infections and occurs in five to fifteen percent of every 1,000 admissions. Critical care nurses are presented with unique challenges when caring for patients who are at risk for developing VAP. Strategies must be developed using evidence-based practice and incorporated into daily care in order to prevent VAP in patients receiving mechanical ventilation. ICU Doctors, Nurse Educators and the DON on the ICU unit are currently responsible for our current oral care practice. Our hospital is currently using (OAG), which stands for Eiders’ Oral Assessment Guide, it measures a patient’s oral health status and the frequency of oral hygiene. This tool measures oral health by using 8 different categories: swallow, lips, tongue, saliva, mucous membranes, gingiva, teeth, and voice. They are graded 1 (best), 2, or 3 (worst). Normal findings would be a score of 8, whereas 24 would be the total worst score in all 8 categories. I will now explain how using evidence based practice and OAG can improve the oral health of patients on ventilators. The conclusion will be supported by the research that I have obtained in this research project, which is decreasing the risk of pneumonia on patients who are on ventilators...
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...single body organ can affect and depend on each other. With this study, I would like to focus on one of our major organs and how can it be affected and loose its function once a patient is admitted to Intensive Care Unit. Several problems and other complications which arises during the confinement. Our Respiratory System is responsible for the breathing process of our body. Once infection arises it can delay and agrravate once patient’s condition and would subsequently deteriorate leaving sometimes major organs be affected,this what we call the multi-organ failure. Pnemonia as we all know is one of the most common nosocomial infections and one of the leading causes of death inside the hospital.It is defined as an inflammation of the lungs. Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia is one of the most common kind of it. It a pneumonia that has been acquired during or after one’s hospitalization for another illness with onset of at least 72 hours after admission. Once a patient has been admitted to Intensive Care Unit,it is very likely that the patient could be able to acquire this infection and so much more if patient ended up to be intubated and mechanically ventilated,a type of Pneumonia would be likely to be developed,this is known as the Ventilator Associated...
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...Identification of the educational need and rationale. Prevention is better than the cure, medical technology and development of hospitals as the focus of health care practice. The CDC estimated a total of 1.7 million patients in the hospital that gets a nosocomial infection and 99,000 will die from the infection. This results to one patient death in every five minutes, hospitalized patients Hospital acquired pneumonia is currently the second most common nosocomial infection in the United States and is associated with high mortality and morbidity (Seymann, 2008). Higher rates of hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP), functional decline, pressure ulcers, and falls are a few factors that leads to prolonged bed-rest . HAP Iis a pneumonia that begins within 48 hours after hospitalization and does not incubate at the time of admission. Because individuals with hospital-acquired pneumonia usually have underlying illnesses and are exposed to more dangerous bacteria, it tends to be more deadly than community-acquired pneumonia (Seymann, 2008). Those at risk include patients with a compromised immune system, are HIV positive, have been hospitalized for more than two days, reside in a nursing home, have COPD, diabetes, heart failure, are elderly, alcoholics or have other underlying disorders (Smeltzer, et al). A new report regarding the high death rate due to hospital acquired pneumonia was a an issue that could not be ignored by congress in light of the fact that it was published days before President...
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... Because of this recent fall and his dementia he is quickly labeled as a fall risk while in the hospital. Despite his dementia, Mr. J is able to answer questions appropriately. Mr. J appears to have not been given any alternative to restraints. Alternatives to restraints would include medication to help calm him, bed alarms, and distractions such as games, music, or television. Another alternative would be to offer a sitter at the bedside. Last resort would be to restrain Mr. J. In this case Mr. J appears to have not been offered any alternative to restraints. (Hinshaw, 2010) Another quality nursing indicator is the prevalence of pressure ulcers. He was found to have an area on his lower spine that was reddened and depressed, indicating the development of a possible pressure ulcer. The nurse in this case was not notified by the CNA that found the reddened area and the daughters concern was ignored by the CNA. Assessing skin, especially given Mr. J’s immobility would be a priority for the nursing staff. Developing a turn schedule and making all staff aware of this schedule would also have been helpful in this situation. (Wurster, 2007) In addition to the restraints Mr. J has also been in the hospital for a week which may be a factor in the prevalence of the pressure ulcer. One indicator that may not be immediately apparent would be the risk of a nosocomial infection and development of pneumonia (Duffy, 2002). Mr. J would be at a greater...
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...Research Critique Part 1: A Qualitative Study on Preventing Hospital-acquired Urinary Tract Infection in United Sates Medical Facilities Donna Frazier Grand Canyon University Introduction to Nursing Research NRS-433V Chris Thompson-Sanxter February 01, 2013 Research Critique Part 1: A Qualitative Study on Preventing Hospital-acquired Urinary Tract Infection in United Sates Medical Facilities Problem Statement The clinical problem in this research article identified as hospital-acquired urinary tract infections in US hospitals and the research problem focused on how to prevent hospital-acquired urinary tract infections. Though urinary tract infections are the most common hospital-acquired infection, accounting for 40% of all nosocomial infections, there is very little information as to why hospitals do or do not use the available preventative methods. (Sanjay, et al., 2008) Purpose and Research Questions A list of questions were designed using the qualitative method, then used in 38 semi-regulated phone interviews with crucial staff at 14 expressly chosen hospitals and 39 face-to-face interviews at five of those fourteen medical facilities, to identify persistent and integrated ideas that describe in what way healthcare facilities tackled the dilemma of hospital-acquired urinary tract infections. (Sanjay, et al., 2008) The personnel interviewed were able to speak their thoughts freely since the data collection was so accommodating by using open-ended questions...
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...Infection control An Infection ? A disease caused by an organism which can be transmitted from one host to another for an example virus. A Control? To take over something and to limit or destroy Infection control? This is what’s going be explained further here in this assignment. Controlling a infection major n must thing once it to an organization such as a hospital hence it can affect many thing in many way , hence if a infection such as a virus is spreads in a ward in the hospital can infect the other patients on no time therefore controlling an infection is must and a major duty to be done by the health care workers therefore these worker should be advocated by professionals for the elimination of a simple infection because it’s the health care workers who involves spreading an infection most of the time not that they do it by purpose but with too much of work load and stress full days there are high chances and risks where they can help a infection to spread since they deal with patients more often therefore it’s a must that they should be more educated on this and its recommended that workshops and audits every month which can help to change the situations where they learn how to prevent a infections such as a viruses to be stop, well this is not only affect the hospital and the patient but it can also affect the country too where immigrations will be restricted because disease can be spread to other countries too, where it will harm them in economical ways where...
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...Nosocomial Infections By princessbec76 | Studymode.com Section 1: Infections in Healthcare Settings Essay. Nosocomial infections, hospital acquired infections, are an on-going concern to healthcare professionals. These infections are one of the major causes of death in hospitalised patients and are a significant burden on not only the patient’s and the public’s health (as organisms causing nosocomial infections can be transmitted to the community through discharged patients, staff and visitors) but also the economy. A nosocomial infection is an infection acquired at least 72 hours after being admitted into hospital for any reason other than the infection or one which develops amongst hospital staff. Infections are also identified as nosocomial if they appear in a patient within 30 days after their discharge from hospital. Non nosocomial infections, community acquired infections, are infections acquired anywhere other than the hospital. The most common places where non nosocomial infections occur are schools, day care centres and sports facilities. They are spread through skin to skin contact, cuts and grazes, overcrowding and poor hygiene. The illnesses or infections can be the same, for example, pneumonia or gastroenteritis but it is the setting that they are contracted in which differentiate the two infections. Nosocomial infections occur worldwide and affect both wealthy, developed countries as well as the poorer ones with scarce resources. A survey conducted by the World...
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...increasing problem of drug resistant bacteria has pushed health care providers to seek out alternative methods to reduce hospital-acquired infections. On the forefront of these alternative methods is the use of high intensity narrow spectrum lighting (HINS lighting) to inactivate harmful bacteria (Bach, Maclean, MacGregor, Anderson, Gettinby, Coia, & Tagger, 2012). This HINS lighting system works by using a narrow band of light, which is lethal to bacteria, but harmless to people. The light penetrates the microbes and excites the molecules inside, causing them to self-destruct. This ceiling mounted light provides continuous environmental disinfection (Bach et al., 2012). In the wake of the healthcare reform, an analysis of this new technology is important to providers, who stand to lose reimbursement payment for hospital-acquired conditions (Straube, B. & Blum, J. D. 2009). HINS lighting system may offer a way to escape financial loss while improving quality of care. Background In 2011 it was estimated that between five and ten percent of inpatients in the US acquire infections during their hospital stay, resulting in a cost of over 30 billion dollars (Haplin et al., 2011). CMS and other insurance programs have begun shifting this financial burden onto the providers in the form of reduced reimbursement for hospital-acquired conditions and mandatory reporting of infection rates (Straube & Blum, 2009). In addition to the financial pressure faced by providers, there is also pressure...
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...Nursing Research Utilization Project Proposal Abstract The issue of controlling and preventing hospital-acquired infections is a major problem in the Healthcare system. Most patients admitted to hospitals are at some risk of contracting a hospital-acquired infection (Paterson, 2012). Some patients are more vulnerable than others; these include the elderly, patients with defective immune systems, and premature babies. Hospital-acquired infections remain a major concern, and they can occur in any care setting, including acute care within hospitals, outpatient surgery centers, clinics, and long-term care facilities (such as nursing homes or rehab centers). Four categories account for 75% of all acquired infections in the acute care hospital setting. These are surgical site infections, central line-associated bloodstream infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and catheter-associated urinary tract infections (Nassof, 2009). Urinary tract infections comprise the highest percentage (Paterson, 2012). These infections usually are spread by the contaminated hands of healthcare providers or the patient’s family members. They are also caused by contaminated surfaces or hospital equipment that has not been properly cleaned (Nassof, 2009). The rate of exposure to infectious materials could be reduced if healthcare providers adhered to certain standard precautions such as hand hygiene. The proposal for this nursing research utilization project is to educate nurses on the importance...
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...Hospital Acquired Infections in Relation to Poor Hand Hygiene Hospital acquired infections is an all too real and current issue. It is also highly preventable through the simple action of hand hygiene. Hand hygiene is a vital part of the hospital system to ensure the continuum of health. The number of professional health care staff who is not abiding by the governing policies on hand hygiene is alarming. It is an issue that is particularly relevant to nurses as they are in constant contact with patients, more so than any other health care professional. This paper shall address the topic of hospital acquired infections in relation to the lack of hand washing and poor hand hygiene. It shall hence be explored the reason behind the issues existence. Background Modern infection control is grounded in the work of Ignaz Semelweis who, in the late 1840’s demonstrated the importance of hand hygiene for controlling transmission of infection (Pittet, Allegrazi, & Boyce, 2009) and reduced mortality rate related to hospital acquired infections (Mortell, 2012). Hand hygiene has become an integral part of our culture. Hand washing is taught at every level of school, advocated in the workplace, and emphasized during nursing, medical, and paramedic training programs. The primary objective of hand hygiene recommendations has always been to reduce pathogen transmission and hospital acquired infections which, in turn, should reduce patient morbidity and mortality (Mortell, 2012). Hand Hygiene...
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...URINARY TRACT INFECTION Elizabeth Quartey Abstract According to the CDC estimates in 2002 there were 1.7 million Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI), and 99,000 HAI- associated deaths in the hospital. The report stated that the four largest categories of HAI, responsible for more than 80% of all reported HAI, are central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI, 14%), ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP, 15%), surgical site infections (SSI, 22%), and catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI, 32%). HAI are a great financial costs to health care facilities. The Centers for disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates the medical cost of HAI in the U.S. hospitals as $6.65 billion in 2007, and that number has increased to almost $10 billion a year currently. Statement and Significance of the Problem One in 20 patients who are admitted to a hospital will be a victim to an infectious agent they are exposed to during their hospitalization according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) (Goodman, Brenda, 201, Hospital-Acquired Infections cost $10 Billion a year). The five most common infections are surgical site infections, infections associated with the use of devices like central lines, catheters, ventilators and clostridium dificile are costing the health care System in the USA almost $10 billion a year to treat. In the article Vitamin D has the potential to reduce the risk of Hospital-Acquired Infections, the writer...
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...bacterium is not a health concern in a healthy person. S. aureus in the most common cause of staph infections. S. aureus is a spherical-shaped bacterium. S.aureus is a gram positive bacterium. It typically grows and divides to form microscopic grape like clusters. (Laberge, 2011) MRSA is a popular strain of Staphylococci. MRSA belongs to category of multidrug resistant organisms. These organisms are disease causing bacteria that are resistant to antibiotic drugs. MRSA infections are caused by Methicillin resistant S. aureus. Methicillin is...
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...Approximately 2 million nosocomial infections occur annually in the United States. At least 90,000 deaths per year are a result, making nosocomial infections the fifth leading cause of death in acute-care hospitals. HAIs infections result in increasing morbidity, mortality, and cost as a result of increasing duration of stay , is estimated as estimated as 1 to 4 days for urinary tract infections, 7 to 8.2 days for surgical site infections, 7 to 21 days for bloodstream infections, and 6.8 to 30 days for pneumonia. The estimated mortalities associated with nosocomial bloodstream infections and pneumonia are 23.8% to 50% and 14.8% to 71% (overall), or 16.3% to 35% and 6.8% to 30% (attributable), respectively. The estimated average costs of...
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