Prevention of Nosocomial Infections

By: Ryan LauteAudience: Hospital Staff

What is a Nosocomial Infection?

• Infection that is acquired in a hospital or health care facility.

• Patient must have been admitted for other reason from newly acquired infection.

• He or she must also not show signs of active or incubating this new infection.

Why are These Infections Relevant to Me?

• Protecting yourself from infection.• Protecting patients from infection.• Enhancing quality of care.• Reducing unnecessary treatments.• Reduction of Cost.• Increase of patient satisfaction.

Examples of Nosocomial Infections

• Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP)

• Urinary tract infections (UTI)

• Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI)

What is VAP?

• (VAP) Stands for ventilator associated pneumonia.

• This nosocomial infection can be extremely prevalent in patients health care settings.

• (VAP) Can be prevented by taking the proper precautions and following hospital policy related to vent and trach care.

Causes of VAP

• Poor oral hygiene in patients undergoing mechanical ventilation.

• Drug resistant strains of bacteria.• Non-sterile vent equipment.• Poor hand hygiene.• Body positioning.

Prevention Methods for VAP

• Proper oral hygiene can help reduce VAP occurrences.

• Removal of endotracheal secretions.• Humidification device

implementation.• Silver coated endotracheal tube.• Subglottic continuous suctioning.• Prophylactic PEEP.

Catheter-Related Blood Stream Infections (CRBSI)

What is a CRBSI?

• Can also be called catheter-related sepsis.

• It is defined as the presence of bacteremia originating from an I.V catheter.

• CRBSI’s are one of the most common types of nosocomial infections.

Causes of CRBSI

• Non-aseptic technique during insertion of catheter.

• Non-aseptic technique during dressing change of catheter.

• Non proper skin disinfection around site on catheter.

Prevention Methods for CRBSI

• Maintaining aseptic technique during placement of catheter.

• Maintaining aseptic technique during changing of dressings.

• Proper choosing of catheter site.• Removal of non-essential catheters.

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

What is a UTI?

• A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in any part of your urinary system such as your kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra.

• Most infections involve the lower urinary tract that is the bladder and the urethra.

Causes of a UTI

• Occurs when bacteria enters the urinary tract and travels through the urethra.

• Non-aseptic technique when placing urinary catheters.

• Duration of urinary catheter when left in patient.

• Compromised immune systems.

Prevention Methods for UTIs

• Aseptic placement of urinary catheter.

• Implementation of proper hand hygiene before insertion of catheter.

• Anti-microbial or antiseptic should be considered for site disinfection.

• Removal of urinary catheter as soon as possible, when appropriate.

Proper Hand Hygiene

Why is Hand Hygiene is Important

• Prevents the spread of nosocomial infections.

• Prevents the growth of resistant bacteria.

• Prevents illness.• Prevents a longer hospital stay for

patients.• Cost effective.• http://www.cdc.gov/handhygiene/

Steps for Proper Hand Washing

When You Should Wash Your Hands

• After going to the toilet. • After blowing your nose. • After smoking. • After handling/patting animals. • Before, during and after preparing food. • When your hands are visibly dirty.

Quiz Yourself!

• True or False, Hand washing is a great way to prevent the spread of nosocomial infections?

• True or False, You should soap your hands for at least 20 seconds when washing?

• True or false, Before and after handling food I should wash my hands?

Were You Right?

• “True” or False, Hand washing is a great way to prevent the spread of nosocomial infections?

• “True” or False, You should soap your hands for at least 20 seconds when washing?

• “True” or false, Before and after handling food I should wash my hands?

Reference Page

• http://www.cdc.gov/handhygiene/• http://www.cdc.gov/handhygiene/Basics.html

• Di Filippo, A., Casini, A., & de Gaudio, A. (2011). Infection prevention in the intensive care unit: Review of

the recent literature on the management of invasive devices. Scandinavian Journal Of Infectious Diseases, 43(4), 243-250. doi:10.3109/00365548.2011.552070