I will be more conscious about infection prevention and control in hospitalized patients. This knowledge of asepsis will positively influence my future practice as a nurse. I am now aware of the importance of including frequent washing of hands, donning gloves when attending to patients, and isolation of patients with infectious illnesses. I learned about the importance of ensuring asepsis in preventing the spread of bacterial pneumonia in the hospital due to its negative health implications. Commitment to the evidence-based guidelines is imperative in lowering infection rates at the hospitals. This review made suggestions on utilizing reminders and studies to improve the adherence to the standard procedures for infection prevention and control. Furthermore, it was observed that there was a high prevalence of unnecessary urinary catheterization in most settings (Hinkle & Cheever, 2018). An analysis of hospitals’ acute settings in the United States found that only a handful of them had protocols aligned to the standard regulations on infection prevention by world health organizations (Metlay et al., 2019).

Healthcare personnel failed to utilize the available guidelines when inserting a catheter. One of such places is in the promotion of asepsis during urinary catheterization. The literature review identified several inconsistencies in the maintenance of infection prevention and asepsis in numerous hospital settings. Effective hand washing is one aspect of the standard infection prevention in hospitals. The literature review found that nurses inadequately implement hand washing before and after handling the patient in hospitals (Metlay et al., 2019). However, these solutions may be ineffective when the hands are visibly soiled, necessitating soap and water use. The use of alcohol-based solutions for cleaning the hands is also advocated. These guidelines state that soap and water should be applied at all times for the adequate elimination of infectious agents. Proper handwashing using the world health organization’s ten-step guidelines is proved to promote infection control and prevention of the hospitalized patients. Literature AnalysisĮffective infection prevention and control strategies have numerous advantages to patient care and the organization’s success. Therefore, proper environmental sanitation and infectious patients’ isolation are practical nursing mechanisms to curb patient X infections. Isolation of patients in enclosed rooms away from other patients effectively reduces the spread of the infections during the early stages of its infectivity (Hinkle & Cheever, 2018). Other infection control techniques include isolating the severely ill patients with highly infectious diseases from Patient X. Additionally, chemical solutions should be utilized in cleaning the patient’s body fluids on the floor. Surfaces where patients often come into contact should be continuously disinfected using chemical-based detergents. Secondly, practicing effective cleanliness of the environment is essential in eliminating infectious agents. Proper utilization of this equipment is required to stop the spread of infections in hospitals.

Maintaining adequate cleanliness of the reusable PPEs is also crucial in ensuring infection prevention (Metlay et al., 2019).

Surgical masks, gowns, and eyewear, including goggles, are worn to protect the healthcare practitioner in cases where there is a possibility of splashing the body fluids. The utilization of single-use disposable gloves effectively reduces the contamination of a nurse practitioner from the fluids from the patient. These techniques include wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves, gowns, eyewear, and masks when handling the patient. Firstly, the aseptic technique is used during the care of the patient. The nurses caring for Patient X are practicing several strategies to promote infection control and prevention. A chest x-ray imaging test performed on the patient shows lobar consolidation and airspace opacities. A blood sample has been taken for grouping and cross-matching, urine electrolytes and creatinine levels check-ups, and liver function tests (Metlay et al., 2019). The patient is also put on intravenous normal saline 500 milliliters every four hours. Suctioning secretions are also done after every hour using nebulization with albuterol every six hours to dilate the bronchus. She is now on oxygen therapy, receiving three litters via rebreathing face mask, intravenous ceftriaxone one gram once a day for seven days, and one gram of paracetamol every six hours for three days. The client is currently receiving intensive management for the promotion of adequate tissue perfusion and pain relief.

Infection control and medical asepsis