Importance of Hand Hygiene
Introduction
Hand hygiene is the removal of the disease causing microorganism from the hands using water and soap. In some instances, the waterless antimicrobial agent is rubbed on both hands with similar results (JCN, 2014). While hand washing is considered an effective method of preventing most of the healthcare acquired infections, evidence based infection control guide has found that health care practitioners and nurses rarely engage in this ritual (Griffis, 2013).
Clinical Question
What are the importance of washing hands and how does washing hands contribute to a healthy society? It is also important to identify theways and means of controlling the infection resuting from the failure to wash hands.This is the clinical question that the paper will handle.
Literature and identity of population in the research study
The American association of nurse anesthetics (AANA) under the leadership of their president, James Walker reviewed literature concerning the infection control (Nazarko, 2008). By reviewing existing literature of infection control, the group discovered that many specialty experts’ researchers have focused on this area and both government and public agencies have been involved (Griffis, 2013).
Literature and data appraisal
Review of the available literature regarding infection control was an effective way of acquiring data (Panagopoulou, Montgomery, & Benos, 2011). The wide range of sources used offered valid data in this study and intensity of the hand hygiene challenge (Griffis, 2013).
A brief description of the Research Process
The evidence based research conducted by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetics (AANA)task force for infection control using an evidence based research has a guide on infection control (Lee & Greig, 2010). The AANA guide to prevent infection has 3 sections that include; personal, procedural and environmental preventive measures. The research found that a 15 minutes hand hygiene using alcohol-based hand rubs kills 99.99% bacteria as well as disease causing viruses (Griffis, 2013).
Result of Research
Infection Control Guide for Certified Registered Nurse noted various preventable threats to the well-being of patients. While the infection’s deleterious effects may not appear immediately, the research found that such infections can actually be life threatening to the patients requiring anesthesia (Lee & Greig, 2010). In order to control infections, CRNA has a responsibility of promoting the safety of patients through compliance with modern infection control and the prevention based practice. In addition, the health care personnel should promote the safety of their patients as well as their own’s (Griffis, 2013).
Usefulness of data
The data collected from the research undertaken by AANA are helpful in nursing practice as health care experts seek familiarity with the current best practices in the field. In addition, prevention of surgical infections has been addressed. Other recommendations from the evidence based guide include the use of the sterile barrier technique in the central line insertion (Panagopoulou, Montgomery, & Benos, 2011). Besides, isopropyl alcohol was recommended to be used before the vascular line and stopcocks examination (Griffis, 2013).
Evaluation
Incorporation of research into medical practice is very vital especially when the collected data is viable as it makes health care more meaningful and relevant (College of Nurses of Ontario, 2004). Evidence based care is only possible when the health care practitioner and researchers perform extensive studies on every situation. Non hand hygiene compliance has been taken as a serious threat in infection control only because research has been conducted in this field (Griffis, 2013).
Conclusion
Hand hygiene compliance ensures that both the patients and their handlers are protected from potential infections (Panagopoulou, Montgomery, & Benos, 2011). Evidence based practice has proved that nurses and other health care providers barely prioritize on hand hygiene during practice. EBP is an effective way of ensuring that health care challenges are successfully tackled as infections keep on changing (Griffis, 2013).
