Journal of Positive Psychology & Wellbeing http://journalppw.

com
2022, Vol. 6, No. 3, 325 – 336 ISSN 2587-0130

The Nurse's Role in Hospital Infection Prevention

Sattam Hameed Albarrak1, Ashwaq Salh Alenzey2, Abdulaziz Falah Alrasheedi3, Azizah
Samet Mhana Al-reshidi4, Khlood Hamdan Alblwei5, Sarah Ameesh Al Rashidy6, Manal
Nazal Alenize7, Atheer Hamdan Albalawi8, Fatimah Ayyadah Alrashidi9, Abdulaziz Ibrahim
Alresheedi10

1
Nursing Senior Specialist, Albadia primary health care center
2
Technician-Nursing, Albadia primary health care center
3
Nursing Specialist, Primary healthcare operations management
4
Nursing Specialist, Albadia primary health care center
5
Nursing specialist, Nursing executive Administration, Operations management of PHC
6
Nursing Diploma, Managing operations of primary health care centres
7
Nursing specialist, operations management of primary health care center
8
Nursing specialist, king Khaled Hospital
9
Technician-Nursing, Albadia primary health care center
10
Nursing Specialist, Maternity and Children Hospital

Abstract
In this comprehensive analysis, we examine how contemporary infection control practices affect
nursing staff, with a focus on the chronic care setting. The conversation focuses on the necessity of
following advanced nursing practices in order to improve the effectiveness of medical care. This
research, which takes a sociotechnical approach, examines how infection prevention measures affect
nursing teams in UK hospitals and emphasizes the critical role that standardized medical equipment
plays in reducing infection. Initiatives to lower the frequency of infections associated with IV and
urinary catheters are suggested by the analysis. It explores these tactics and assesses how they affect
nursing practices, adding to the body of knowledge in academia. This investigation highlights a
discrepancy between suggested and real bedside techniques and speculates on how nurses would
respond to such tactics. The essay sheds light on the implications of this gap, identifying a number of
infection control strategies that unintentionally alter patient care and nursing tasks. In addition, the
article describes future research at a prestigious teaching hospital in London that will improve nurse
recommendations for managing infections associated with extended use of medical devices. Using a
sociotechnical systems framework is essential, and this study seeks to demonstrate and analyze this
methodology. The study presents a case for a thorough assessment of nursing-related infection control
tactics that considers the intricate relationships between systemic and human factors in healthcare
settings. By supporting this point of view, the study lays the groundwork for future research that will
improve infection control strategies and protect patient care integrity. After this synopsis, a
forthcoming analytical contribution is anticipated, which will propose sensible empirical strategies to
support infection control within the nursing community. The goal of these scholarly endeavors is to
refine nursing techniques for the purpose of successfully reducing nosocomial infections while
upholding an exceptional standard of patient care.

Keywords: infection control, nursing practices, medical care.

Majed Mohammed Hammed Alkhalaf 326

1. Introduction in low-income nations with weak infection

control capacities. In order to stop illnesses
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a
from spreading across a variety of patient
significant global burden, impacting many lives
groups, healthcare professionals, and tourists,
each year and having significant financial
there is an increasing need for culturally
consequences. An estimated $28 to $45 billion
sensitive infection control strategies. Nurses
in direct medical expenses are attributed to
play a critical role in mediating this
HAIs in the United States alone each year,
intercultural context. The need for nurses to
resulting in longer hospital stays and a higher
comprehend and competently apply infection
frequency of readmissions. Medicare and
control guidelines in the face of evolving
Medicaid do longer pay for infections that
healthcare delivery services is emphasized by
occur during surgery or while a patient is in the
nursing policies in the United Kingdom (NMC,
hospital. The Affordable Care Act of 2010
2007). In addition, the evolving landscape of
established policies to identify and reduce these
healthcare delivery, with its advancements in
infections through the Secretary of Health and
technology and medicine, introduces additional
Human Services, with the potential to save $35
layers of complexity to infection control.
billion over a ten-year period. The need to
Global travel and a more diverse population
protect patients and avoid needless harm has
highlight the impact of emerging and
prompted the evolution of nursing roles to
reoccurring infectious diseases, which are
include infection control and prevention duties.
characteristics of contemporary pandemics and
Nurses are uniquely qualified to teach infection
epidemics (Reilly et al., 2011). The detrimental
prevention and promote patient safety due to
consequences of healthcare-associated
their extensive patient participation, caregiver
infections (HCAIs) on patient safety highlight
role, and close familial ties. Even with the long
the necessity for strict infection control
history of medicine, some procedures lack
policies. As the primary carriers of scientific
scientific foundations; persistent
developments, nurses need to be up to date on
misconceptions and antiquated customs are
the most recent evidence-based infection
nonetheless periodically taught. As nurses lead
prevention techniques and their practical
the transition towards evidence-based, patient-
efficacy. In industrialized countries, HCAIs
focused practices, they nevertheless face
impact 8% of patients, a number that sharply
resistance from colleagues, which is a
increases in developing nations (WHO, 2009).
challenge in preventing infections and
Due to the serious consequences, fatality rates
guaranteeing patient welfare.
between 8 and 20 percent, lengthier hospital
admissions, and long-lasting impairments
among the afflicted patients, healthcare-
associated infections (HCAIs) have a
staggering annual financial cost that is
measured in billions.
1.2 The nurse's role in preventing infections
In hospital settings, nursing plays a major role
in limiting infection rates. Research indicates
1.1 The significance of preventing infections
that lower rates of hospital infections are
The significance of infection prevention is correlated with a higher percentage of
highlighted in light of the sociological and professional registered nurses relative to
financial dimensions of healthcare, particularly auxiliary workers. The correlation between
when considered the most economical approach worker well-being and infection rates is
to improving public health—a perspective established; positive job satisfaction and
reaffirmed by the CDC in 2014. According to perceived role fulfillment are frequently
the WHO's 2010 study, it is especially crucial indicators of improved patient care and results.
A study conducted in 2002 by Aiken and
327 Journal of Positive Psychology & Wellbeing

colleagues found that a 22% lower risk of all manifest. Individuals who are ill or have
infection following heart surgery was linked to pre-existing diseases are more susceptible to
registered nurses' job satisfaction. Although further infections. An estimated 300,000 cases
Stone's (2004) qualitative research indicated of healthcare-associated illnesses occur in
some physicians' reluctance and contemptuous England each year, whereas the number in the
attitudes towards infection control initiatives, it US is estimated to be 1.7 million. Increased
also underlined the critical role infection research and a focused emphasis on the
prevention nurses play in forming hospital prevention, control, and surveillance of
ethos. This demonstrates how doctors' actions healthcare-associated infections have been
might indirectly but significantly contribute to driven by the rising incidence of these illnesses
the spread of nosocomial diseases. The use of in recent decades. The introduction of novel
long-term indwelling devices as indicators of strains of age-old diseases and the growing
infection risk and patient adherence to antibiotic resistance of microbes present a
prophylactic guidelines give rise to additional daunting challenge in healthcare infection
complications. Stone's study also revealed prevention, further complicating the field of
variances in infection rates between sites that infection control.
could not be exclusively attributed to catheter
2.1 Infection types found in hospitals
use, suggesting differences in nursing and
medical professional practices. Furthermore, Because microorganisms are adaptive,
Virnig et al.'s research (2006) found a infectious agents are common, and human
connection between higher rates of post- fragility makes complete removal of diseases
operative infections and irregular staffing and from healthcare settings an unachievable goal.
assignment procedures. Zoonotic infections, which are spread from one
organism to another, have the ability to reinfect
the original host or start a new one. Iatrogenic
infections result from medical procedures;
nosocomial microorganisms are the primary
cause. Immunocompromised persons and those
undergoing major surgery are particularly
vulnerable to these infections. Primary
infections result from an individual's initial
contact with an infectious agent, whereas
secondary infections develop from pre-existing
ones due to a compromised immune system.
Fungi can infect a host by living inside of it or
2. Knowing About Infections by colonizing dead, ejected cells like skin, hair,
and nails. This can result in localized or
The human body fights harmful germs known systemic infections. Although a brief bacterial
as pathogens, and infections arise when these infection in the blood does not always result in
organisms overwhelm the body's defenses, infection, bacteria that multiply can cause
which include the skin, mucous membranes, sepsis, a serious bloodstream infection that has
and internal systems. Pathogens have coexisted a high death rate among patients in critical
with humans throughout history, with some of condition. In vitro infections can arise from
them dormant for protracted periods of time contaminated cell or tissue cultures, while in
before becoming active. There are several vivo infections are caused by bacteria growing
infectious agents that can be classified as within or on top of host tissues. Systemic
parasitic, bacterial, viral, or fungal. They can infections affect the entire body, frequently as a
cause everything from minor discomfort and result of bacteria getting into the blood or other
fevers to serious consequences such as organs, whereas local infections only affect a
syncope, organ failure, or even death. Acute, limited part of the body and cause symptoms
chronic, systemic, or localized infections can including pain, redness, swelling, immobility,
Majed Mohammed Hammed Alkhalaf 328

and heat. Thus, hospital infection control ongoing care, and decreased functional
should be in line with these differential autonomy, all of which have a negative impact
infection components. on their quality of life and put a financial
burden on their family and the healthcare
2.2 Typical reasons for infections picked up in
system.
hospitals
The role of viral agents—particularly
enteroviruses, which affect the gastrointestinal 3. Strategies for Preventing Infections
tract—in hospital-acquired illnesses is
Hand hygiene is a fundamental strategy for
becoming more widely acknowledged. The
preventing infections. The best defense against
increased severity of emergent virus-related
illnesses linked to healthcare is good hand
symptoms and the expanding population of
cleanliness. When skin damage is minimized,
immunocompromised patients—who are more
the appropriate items are easily accessible and
vulnerable to infections—are blamed for the
used for the task at hand, and the indication for
rise in viral infections. Furthermore, a lot of
hand hygiene is apparent, this is maximized.
viruses are resistant to typical hospital
Barriers to hand hygiene compliance include a
sanitation procedures and can survive on
wide range of beliefs, including minimal
environmental surfaces, therefore thorough
perceived risk of infection, patients not being
cleaning of patient care equipment is necessary
the source of the infectious agent, and the idea
to stop the spread of infectious diseases. On the
that hand hygiene is ineffective at decreasing
other hand, when bacterial pathogens enter a
the spread of specific germs. Understanding the
host, the risk of infection increases in direct
significance of hand hygiene and how it relates
proportion to their density. High concentrations
to the safety of nurses and patients is essential
frequently reside in particular areas that require
to overcoming these obstacles. It has been
careful cleaning by nursing and housekeeping
demonstrated that social marketing, reminders,
personnel; these areas include drainage sites,
and feedback work well to encourage behavior
bathrooms, and faucets. Hospital-acquired
changes related to hand cleanliness.
wound and ear infections are frequently caused
by certain bacteria, such as Pseudomonas Nursing practices are intimately related to the
Aeruginosa, which is found in both soil and four main ways that infectious pathogens can
water. More thorough and persistent control spread: contact, respiratory, droplet, and
methods are required as a result of their airborne. Nurses can reduce the risk of
resistance to disinfectants and extended spreading pathogens to patients, other staff
survival on hands and hard surfaces. members, themselves, and visitors by being
aware of and implementing the most recent
2.3 How infections affect the course of patients'
infection prevention guidelines, techniques, and
care
suggestions for practice. Additionally, it can
Patients are significantly impacted by hospital lessen the financial burden of infections linked
infections, which frequently result in decreased to healthcare and provide a safer workplace. It
functional independence and call for more is crucial for nurses to comprehend and get
intensive post-discharge care. These results over obstacles to following techniques and
make it more difficult for some people to return employ interventions that have been
to independent community living, which puts demonstrated to be successful in lowering the
more strain on family members and healthcare spread of infectious agents if they are to use
professionals. The consequences of hospital infection prevention and control as an effective
acquired infections are severe: infected patients tool.
have higher rates of hospital readmission, more
3.1 Hand washing guidelines
severe disease, and a two- to three-fold
increased risk of death. These patients also face To eliminate or inactivate germs, practice good
longer hospital stays, increased need for hand hygiene by washing your hands with soap
329 Journal of Positive Psychology & Wellbeing

and water or by applying an alcohol-based hand is the moral and legal duty of hospitals and
rub. It is the best way to stop infections from healthcare professionals to adopt appropriate
spreading and from happening frequently. safety measures to guarantee a secure working
Healthcare professionals currently have access environment. The Occupational Health and
to a number of publications and Safety Act supports this. According to the
recommendations that specify how and when to statute, businesses must protect employees by
wash their hands. Regretfully, research taking all necessary precautions under the
indicates that healthcare personnel' adherence circumstances. This covers the necessary tools,
to hand hygiene standards is not ideal. A supplies, and safety gear. Healthcare workers at
common misconception is that the busier a DHBs have reported numerous needle stick and
healthcare worker is, the less likely they are to bodily fluid exposure injuries. Therefore, it is
practice good hand hygiene. New methods are necessary to make safety gear, supplies, and
being developed to try and address this issue by tools available and in use.
making hand hygiene more accessible and
Specifically speaking, wearing personal
manageable for busy healthcare workers. As an
protective equipment (PPE) is essential to
illustration, consider a US study looking into
stopping the transmission of illness when it
cutting the duration of hand washing to 15
comes to the role that nurses play in infection
seconds by using an antibacterial, waterless
prevention. Gloves are the primary PPE type
method. This method reduces bacteria on the
utilized in healthcare environments. By
skin by applying a specially formulated alcohol
forming a barrier between the patient's skin and
hand rub that doesn't require water, saving time
the hands, gloves stop the spread of germs.
on a chore that would otherwise take a lot of
When coming into touch with blood, bodily
work. To increase hand cleanliness among
fluids, excretions, mucous membranes, non-
healthcare workers, innovative strategies like
intact skin, or possibly contaminated skin,
this one must be developed and tested.
gloves should be used. Both before and after
taking off gloves, hands need to be cleaned.
Microorganisms may colonize under the gloves
if hands are not thoroughly cleaned before
wearing them. Another kind of PPE utilized in
a medical setting is gowns. When it's likely that
they will stain their clothes, nurses should wear
gowns. Wearing a gown creates a barrier that
stops bacteria from spreading from one patient
to another or from uniform soiling. A gown
should be taken off inside out, bundled into a
bundle, and thrown away. The possibility of
3.2 Making use of personal protective soiled gowns ripping and spilling from the
equipment (PPE) laundry cart to the washer can be decreased, if
at all feasible, by utilizing biodegradable plastic
PPE is a type of protection given to healthcare
trash bags. If there is a chance that blood or
personnel working in any aspect of healthcare,
other bodily fluids will splash or splatter,
in any setting where they are likely to be
masks are worn. Additionally, masks prevent
exposed to potentially infectious
disease transmission by droplets. This happens
microorganisms from patients or materials.
when an infected individual coughs, talks, or
These recommendations are summarized as
sneezes, sending droplets flying a short
follows: "The Standard Precautions tier of the
distance. Last but not least, if there's a chance
Hierarchy of Controls is designed to protect
that blood or bodily fluids could splatter into
healthcare personnel and prevent healthcare-
your eyes, use protective eyewear.
associated morbidity and mortality through the
use of engineering and work practice controls,
administrative controls, and the use of PPE." It
Majed Mohammed Hammed Alkhalaf 330

3.3 Procedures for cleaning and disinfection known or suspected infectious diseases (WHO
2003). Barrier precautions should be used with
Despite the wide variety of cleaning and
all patients in healthcare facilities, regardless of
disinfecting products on the market, it's crucial
their diagnosis or potential infectious status,
to use the right one—which isn't always a
because standard precautions are based on the
disinfectant. When a surface is not
idea that all bodily fluids, secretions,
contaminated, a detergent should be used to
excretions, and sweat—aside from non-intact
save money and lower the danger of exposure.
skin and mucous membranes—may contain
Make sure the disinfectant you choose is safe to
transmissible infectious agents (Siegel et al
use, compatible with the surface, and capable
2007). The most crucial part of conventional
of eliminating the problematic bacterium.
precautions is hand hygiene, which should be
Cleaning and disinfecting a place after spilling
performed with either an alcohol-based hand
bodily fluids or severely contaminated surfaces
rub or antimicrobial soap and water before and
is crucial. In order to do this, the area must be
after patient contact or contact with the patient's
contained using gloves and an absorbent
surroundings. Wearing gloves is advised while
substance. It must also be cleaned, disinfected,
handling any bodily fluids, excretions, filthy or
and waste must be removed. Finally, reusable
contaminated objects, or when performing
things must be cleaned before being used again.
duties that put the hands at risk of cuts or
An essential component of infection prevention abrasions. When an HCW comes into contact
is the use of cleaning and disinfection with a patient and there's a possibility that their
techniques. To guarantee that a disinfectant is clothes will get dirty, or when the patient is
effective, an object or surface needs to be well spitting or vomiting, gowns are utilized to
cleansed before disinfection. The type of protect the HCW's skin and clothing. Face
surface and the degree of contamination it protection and/or a mask will be necessary if
poses will affect the cleaning procedure. To there is a chance that the HCW may be
stop additional contamination of other surfaces, splashed or sprayed with blood or bodily fluids.
cleaners need to know the proper cleaning It is necessary to follow task-specific protocols,
methods and how to utilize tools like mops and change gloves, and properly put on and take off
microfiber cloths. To prevent the mop from personal protective equipment (PPE). Aseptic
carrying contamination from the floor to door methods must be used whenever coming into
knobs, one way to achieve this is to clean from contact with any part of the body other than the
high touch surfaces to low touch surfaces. skin. Handling and cleaning bodily fluid spills,
Between patient uses, all cleaning and as well as handling any contaminated patient
disinfection procedures-related equipment care equipment, are covered by environmental
needs to be cleaned and/or sterilized. Should it control and linen precautions. Standard
be discovered that this equipment is precautions include safe injection techniques,
contaminated, it needs to be taken out and maintaining personal cleanliness, and managing
cleaned right away. Maintaining the required waste and needle disposal (Siegel et al 2007).
degree of cleanliness will be made possible by Precautions based on transmission should be
routinely checking cleaning and disinfection used in addition to the normal precautions.
procedures. This will present a chance for staff They entail the use of supplementary personal
input and in-service training to enhance the protective equipment (PPE) and patient
procedure going forward. placement limits into single rooms or types of
rooms for patients with suspected or confirmed
3.4 Precautions for isolation infectious diseases that are spread by airborne,
In a medical context, isolation precautions are droplet, or contact pathways. The infectious
divided into three tiers (AIHW 2002). These disease and the risk of transmission in relation
include patient placement, standard to the setting (acute care, long-term care, home
precautions, and transmission-based care), the presence of vulnerable patients, and
precautions, which are applied to patients with the epidemiology of the disease in the
particular setting should all be taken into
331 Journal of Positive Psychology & Wellbeing

consideration when deciding whether to start One of the biggest safety concerns in the
any isolation precautions (Siegel et al 2007). healthcare system is infections linked to
For patients undergoing airborne infection medical care. "The Role of Nursing in Infection
isolation, a single room must have adequate Prevention in a Hospital (IPH)," the second
ventilation and at least some air evacuated article, is composed of five parts. These include
directly to the outside (WHO 2003). of keeping an eye on things, preventing the
Alternative methods, should a single room not spread of infections, isolating yourself, wearing
be available, include the placement of patients protective gear, and receiving infection
with the same infectious disease inside a prevention training. The methodical gathering,
specific area but separated spatially, or the use evaluation, and interpretation of medical data
of airborne infection isolation rooms; however, with the goal of identifying patients who pose a
these measures must be discussed with risk constitute surveillance.
infection control personnel. Restrictions on
4.1 Determining possible infection origins
patient placement carry out transmission-based
measures by deciding when to stop and how Understanding the ways in which diseases
long to continue them, frequently in spread is crucial for choosing and assessing
cooperation with infection control staff. preventative interventions. An infectious
agent's typical home, which might include
people, animals, and the surrounding
4. Monitoring and Surveillance environment, is known as a reservoir. Reducing
infections or colonization may be aided by
By determining the patient's health status and if
locating the reservoir for a particular infectious
they are at danger of infection, monitoring
agent. An infected wound, which includes
infection is an essential step that aids in the
pressure sores and surgical wounds, is a
identification of the infected patient. It also
definite source of infection and is frequently
indicates the illness's conclusion or outcome
brought on by the infectious agent. Therefore,
and how the infection affected the pre-existing
if the pathogen is still present at the wound site,
health status. We do this by searching a
there is a chance that the infection will return.
database. Creating a database of every patient
It has been proposed that because
admitted to the hospital within a specific time
contamination occurs throughout the wounding
frame is the first step. Creating a program to
process, clean contaminated wounds are more
identify patients in the database with
likely to become infected than clean wounds.
unexpected results is step two. Gathering
This suggests that the least invasive wound
information on known risk factors and false
cleaning to minimize colonization and the
negative rates is the final stage. This method is
application of antimicrobial dressing to avert
essential for assisting patients who are
infection are preventive approaches. This is an
susceptible to infection and establishing
illustration of a cause and effect situation in
whether any illnesses that arise are related to
which preventing the outcome will improve the
the medical care. This is essential for creating
cause condition. However, halting the spread of
preventative strategies and conducting efficient
an infection can also prevent it. Here,
surveillance.
knowledge of the infectious disease concept
It was discovered that nursing staff members and the chain of infection is helpful. Basically,
lacked precise criteria when it came to the part the goal of infection prevention is to break the
of monitoring and surveillance. In line with the link any time before an illness manifests itself.
common definition of surveillance, the nursing Therefore, the initial stage of a new infection in
staff defined infectious surveillance as the the case of wound infections is the spread of
identification, investigation, and monitoring of the infectious agent from the wound. The
infectious agents or diseases that spread and infection can be stopped as long as the
resulted in hospital-acquired infections. reservoir and source are kept out of the way.
Majed Mohammed Hammed Alkhalaf 332

Surfaces in the environment, tools, and 4.3 Notifying authorities and handling
materials all have the potential to host bacteria epidemics
that can lead to infection. Since it is frequently
Public health nurses collaborate with other
possible to lower the risk of infection by taking
community organizations as well as private
preventative measures, it is crucial to identify
healthcare professionals. In order to offer an
these sources. Preventing the spread and
appropriate public health response during a
recurrence of an infection requires precise
community health emergency, they play a
identification of the infectious organism and its
critical role. When dealing with an uncommon
source (Pratt et al., 2007). Finding the cause of
infectious disease or incident, the public health
the infection is, however, frequently
nurse could be the initial point of contact. To
challenging and occasionally impossible,
locate the occurrence, confirm the details, and
particularly if the patient has a urinary,
compile an incident report, they must be
postoperative, or surgical wound infection. In
equipped with the necessary knowledge and
these situations, it's frequently considered that
procedures. In order to learn about any
the intrusive surgery brought the illness.
outbreaks or uncommon diseases, they should
Therefore, streamlining these therapies'
also make contact with and stay in touch with
administrative processes will be the main goal
each healthcare facility's infectious disease
of preventing recurrence. The following data is
contact person. When it comes to keeping an
taken from Pratt et al. (2007), a handbook for
eye out for possible infection sources, nurses
infection management in healthcare settings.
are crucial. In the event that known or
For several common infection types, it offers
suspected infections are linked to healthcare,
an extensive list of possible sources and
nurses are required by law, ethics, and
reservoirs of infection.
professional standards to act in the best
4.2 Tracking the prevalence of infections interests of their patients and take steps to
ensure the safety of the environment. If a nurse
In order to reduce hospital-acquired illness
observes an unusually high rate of infection
rates in the people they care for, nursing staff
among her patients or a particularly virulent
can play a critical role. Through infection
infection, she should monitor infection rates
monitoring, a nurse can detect the existence of
and then gather resources to look into the
an infection, ascertain its origin and
outbreak. Using the services of a health
dissemination, and thereafter strive towards its
protection officer or infection control specialist
eradication. The adoption of precise and
can be considered a resource. The nurse should
uniform definitions of infection is crucial for
be tenacious in looking for ways to receive help
the efficient monitoring of infection rates. This
if the resources are not available in their
could entail establishing a cutoff point, above
immediate region. This could entail asking for
which illnesses within a specific region or
help and resources outside of the immediate
population are deemed significant enough to
workplace or moving up the chain of
warrant preventive or remedial measures. An
command. The nurse should be able to
infection control nurse might, for instance,
establish whether an outbreak is present,
determine that any instance of surgical wound
identify its source, and put control and
infection that results in the patient being
preventative measures in place with the help of
readmitted will be deemed a noteworthy
an investigation. In order to prevent infections
occurrence and will start a review of infected
linked to healthcare, it is essential to implement
patients. Subsequently, the nurse will confer
monitoring procedures and systems that allow
with other members of the nursing staff and
for early detection and reaction to potential
medical professionals to decide which
infection outbreaks.
infections need to be documented, who will be
in charge of gathering the information, and how
to maintain a high degree of accuracy.
333 Journal of Positive Psychology & Wellbeing

5. Instruction and Practice nurses when they are adjusting to practice

environments. Continuous supervision, regular
Teaching nursing teams about infection
informal and formal feedback, and evaluation
deterrence requires a thorough understanding of
are crucial. Modern infection prevention
preventive strategies to stop the spread of
requirements should be reflected in all practical
infections. Training should cover identifying
equipment and activities. The fundamentals of
likely sources of infection and implementing
infection control and management are essential
strategies such as segregating or combining
to clinical care, and all healthcare personnel—
patients, monitoring suspected and proven
especially nurses who interact closely with
illnesses, taking steps to reduce microbiological
patients—need to get frequent training in them.
hazards, and using vaccines to reduce the risk
This kind of training keeps them up to date
of recognized infectious diseases. The entire
with new developments and regulations, keeps
nursing staff should be involved in an infection
them in line with modern best practices, and
prevention program, and other medical
produces safer patient care results.
specialists should be included for specific
interventions. To prevent diseases linked to 5.2 Instruction on using PPE properly
healthcare, specialized training is essential.
This training should include knowledge of the There are numerous ways to instruct nurses on
infection chain and strategies to inhibit each how to properly wear personal protective
link in the microbial chain. With the abundance equipment (PPE). These include teaching
of infection control procedures, it is essential sessions conducted by specialists in infection
that educational programs are evidence-based control who may use visual aids such as
and flexible enough to adapt to new findings in presentations or posters. Another effective
the field. Nursing staff must have the right modality is a demonstration or return
mindset and be well trained in preventive demonstration, in which medical staff watch
practices in order to deter infections. According and then imitate the use of personal protective
to New Zealand research, patients' perspectives equipment (PPE) before their proficiency is
on infection in medical settings are explored assessed. Shift workers might benefit from
through the lens of their perceptions of digital learning platforms that provide PPE
healthcare professionals' knowledge gaps usage training. Medical personnel often have
regarding infection mitigation strategies. subpar PPE adherence rates, even if they are
Patients highlight instances where infection aware of the dangers of infection and
controls are not implemented because staff dangerous bacteria. Healthcare professionals
members lack clarity on what needs to be done. sometimes blame noncompliance on doubts
These results highlight the necessity for nursing about whether patients are diseased or possess
staff to not only understand and use infection infections that are resistant. Using personal
control strategies, but also to explain these protective equipment (PPE) is contingent upon
protocols to patients in order to prevent the a healthcare worker's awareness of a patient's
spread of infections. infectious status. The way that nurses
understand infections and how to prevent them
5.1 Nursing staff education on infection is greatly influenced by their educational
prevention backgrounds. Studies show that nurses' basic
education programs do not address infection
Experience-based learning is a well-established
and prevention in enough detail. To keep
pedagogical strategy that draws upon firsthand
infection prevention at the forefront of nursing
knowledge to yield valuable insights.
practice, it is therefore recommended that
Therefore, it is imperative that nursing
registered nurses and practical nurses complete
graduates receive strong support when infection
annual refresher courses on the topic. It's
prevention is presented to them as a theoretical
critical that unregulated care providers receive
idea during their education. It is essential to
more and more training in infection prevention
provide clear guidance on infection prevention
as they become more prevalent in the
guidelines and facility rules to newly licensed
healthcare industry. This will help to align the
Majed Mohammed Hammed Alkhalaf 334

whole workforce under a common infection modern medicine. Infection control duties for
prevention objective. nurses are varied and include everything from
giving care to closely monitoring illnesses and
5.3 Ongoing education for infection prevention
controlling epidemics. It is imperative that we
professionals
move away from the notion that infection rates
Several research works have highlighted the are purely coincidental and instead base our
influence of educational interventions on fight against infections on methodical clinical
isolation protocols and healthcare-associated techniques. Preventing recurrences requires an
infections (HCAIs), utilizing a range of understanding of the complex link between the
approaches based on various behavior change management of illnesses and their incidence.
theories. Effective educational initiatives are It's imperative that nurses combine their
starting to appear in settings other than regular passion with a persistent desire to reduce
classrooms. Simulation-based learning has infection rates. Success might not come right
demonstrated its effectiveness in strengthening away, but it is evident that we can change
infection control capabilities by replacing or things for the better in the interests of patients
supplementing real experiences with guided and healthcare professionals with wise,
ones that match real-world settings. Expanding unwavering determination. It is essential that
hands-on learning in all nursing domains for everyone maintain an unwavering commitment
infection control proficiency is imperative, as to practicing excellent hand hygiene in order to
highlighted by the UK's policy and the National stop diseases from spreading. The National
Audit Office's recommendations for a Patient Safety Agency (NPSA), which views
significant increase in student nurse hand hygiene as a critical first line of defense
placements. As a key tactic in the battle against against transmission, advocates policies that
healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs), concentrate on infection prevention and the
continuous professional development (CPD) is development of strategic measures to reduce
acknowledged as a wise technique that healthcare-associated infections. In addition,
guarantees nurses provide high-caliber, the advent of antibiotic-resistant organisms
competent care. The goal of continuing and makes it more difficult to contain healthcare-
periodic professional development, or CPD, is associated infections, emphasizing the urgent
to maintain and improve the professional need for strict infection surveillance and
performance, knowledge, and abilities required follow-up. Increased alertness must be
for competent, evidence-based practice. It combined with evidence-based nursing
includes both self-directed and formally taught practices and improved global infection
learning activities. Nursing staff must prevention and control education among
recognize that learning never ends and that it is nursing programs, since infections are
necessary to repeat courses on well-known becoming more and more linked to increased
subjects until a thorough comprehension and morbidity, mortality, and medical expenses. It
noticeable changes in practice are achieved. is the responsibility of nurses to prevent and
Every nurse and midwife is required by CPD to manage infections by being proactive and
keep up a Personal and Professional diligent in their activities.
Development Plan (PPDP), which must be
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