Asepsis and infection

Reflective journal

While being in the healthcare environment, it has become apparent to me that hygiene is the most important activity that healthcare professionals should apply in all aspects of daily activities.  In the modern era, healthcare-associated infections are common in the healthcare system, and they pose significant consequences that affect health, social-wellbeing, and economy (Bonewit-West & Hunt, 2019).  This knowledge tells me that healthcare providers are required to apply clinical competence to reduce healthcare-associated infection.

 During clinical rotation, I have cared for a patient with acute CVA.  Mr. E.J, an 87-year-old retired teacher was admitted to the hospital due to cerebrovascular accident (CVA).  The patient developed a pressure ulcer (PU) in his sacral area because he could not move around and preferred to stay at his bed.  The condition of the patient has helped me learn more about health-care-associated infection, and aseptic techniques.  His condition was more challenging because the pressure ulcers or wound should be protected through dressing but despite these challenges, it was my role to main asepsis. 

            While dealing with the patient, I have learned that medical assistants or in other words healthcare workers should apply asepsis and infection control techniques to safeguard the well-being of the patient, and also to protect other healthcare providers from being exposed to infectious diseases (Bonewit-West & Hunt, 2019). While caring for patients, it is important to note that there are two types of microorganisms-non pathogens- harmless microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, virus, and others. The other type of microorganism is pathogens such as Salmonella Typhi, E Coli, and this means that they are harmful to the body (Bonewit-West & Hunt, 2019). To prevent pathogenic microorganisms from causing infections, healthcare workers should practice medical asepsis.

 While in the healthcare environment, and in specific while caring for Mr. E. J, I must say that the fundamental nursing care practice in the prevention and control of infection is hand hygiene.  From my personal experience, I can say that healthcare-related infections contribute to unintended consequences including morbidity and mortality, length of hospital stay, microorganism resistance, high financial costs, and more (Bonewit-West & Hunt, 2019). However, such events can be prevented by aseptic and infection control techniques such as hand hygiene. This is a low-cost action that has been recommended by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). From my experience, hand washing means using soap and water because soap has agents that remove dirt.  Note that hands contain microorganisms known as normal flora and they are found in the dermis. Hands also contain microorganisms known as transient flora which are found in the epidermis (Bonewit-West & Hunt, 2019).  Thus, it is advisable to use soap and water and rub the hands for 15 minutes to remove the flora.  I have also learned that antiseptic hand washing or the use of antimicrobial soap can help kill microorganisms and discourage the growth of bacteria. Alcohol-based hand rubs are also effective in reducing bacterial growth (Bonewit-West & Hunt, 2019).  My last take is that gloves play a great role in preventing healthcare providers and patients from infections.  For example, while taking care of the patient, I must wear clean disposable gloves to avoid infections from blood, feces, and other body substances.

            During invasive procedures, health care providers can use the Aseptic Non-Touch Technique as described by Clare & Rowley (2018). The authors assert that ANTT®b is an effective aseptic technique which means that the health care provider should avoid touching wounds.  Also, it means washing hands, and wearing gloves during clinical procedures.  The authors say that ANTT® should be viewed as a quality improvement tool that aims at making the practice better (Clare & Rowley, 2018). Thus, the health care system should implement ANTT® and ensure that health care providers practice safely and effectively.  ANTT® will protect the workers as well as the patients from infections.  During the procedure, medical assistants should identify the key parts of the equipment used to perform procedures and this will prevent harm.

Summary

            The most interesting experience while working in the healthcare environment is that as a medical assistant, I have a great impact on the life of others. This is because, all patients count on me for assistance and for this reason, and I should apply hygiene practice in my daily activities to reduce the risk of infection and illnesses.  For example, in my recent hospital case, I noticed that   Mr. E.J has a condition that could not allow him to apply hygiene practice. As a nurse, I provided proper hygiene care to ensure that the patients develop a positive experience, and more important to ensure that the patient is protected from infections.  Also, I have learned that people view caring using a different perspective. I view caring as understanding the patient, providing support and empathy, accepting the patient's condition, and choose to care.  I have gained a known knowledge that ANTT® practice framework is one of the best aseptic techniques to reduce infections.  ANTT® principles indicate that healthcare providers should understand the possible risk that they are likely to pose, should understand the standard of sepsis, and they should identify the key parts of clinical equipment, among other principles.   Finally, I have learned that hand wash is a simple act that ensures patient safety and quality of care.  However, I believe that more knowledge about ANTT® is needed so that health care workers can have a total adherence.

 

 

Reference

 

Clare, S., & Rowley, S. (2018). Implementing the Aseptic Non-Touch Technique (ANTT®) clinical practice

framework for aseptic technique: a pragmatic evaluation using a mixed-methods approach in two

London hospitals. Journal of infection prevention, 19(1), 6-15.

 

 Bonewit-West Kathy & Hunt Sue. (2019). Today's Medical Assistant - E-Book: Clinical & Administrative

Procedures. Elsevier Health Sciences