infection control is a team effort.... the patient and the people who are providing patient care

GRASPING INFECTION CONTROL

 

 

Opinion: I wondered, and often, if health care workers had an appreciation of all the aspects of preventing infections from spreading patient to patient. Having seen a wide variety of health care settings, my feelings were that those who did not work, under close supervision, were not as likely to adhere to strict infection control practices as those who had close supervision of their infection control practices. I could only come to the conclusion that there was not an appreciation, a true appreciation for understanding what happens when a patient acquires an infection. Does the health care worker understand the many aspects of this situation? Does the health care worker know who is affected by this devastating illness (infection?) Does the health care worker realize, how this lack of infection control, affects the patient and family members? Does the health care worker realize fully the end result that this has on the hospital? And, does the health care worker have a true awareness of how their lives are affected by lack of infection control practices?

We can look at this from a financial standpoint and remember the old saying -- "In order to get someone to see they did wrong, hit them in the pocket. " Of course, this was directed mostly within the arena of malpractice suits. However, one example might be the patient who is in the hospital for a few days, then returns home; only to be readmitted, within a week, due to an infection. This time, the patient stays in the hospital for several weeks, thereby costing the hospital close to $100,000., in some cases, and other cases more. Would this make a difference in how health care workers focused on infection control? Would it be fair to tell a health care worker that there will be financial bonuses for them if the number of patients acquiring an infection decreases? Would the health care community agree or disagree, that telling health care workers they can’t get raises due to money going towards patients who are re-admitted for infections. Would this be an incentive to adhere to infection control practices? Would this be unethical? You can draw your own conclusions and decide for yourself. Often, I believe that this is the way to approach this frequently deadly scenario. The end result is if the hospital saves money, due to improved infection control techniques, then those contributing to this improvement should be rewarded. And, I ask, why not? There are many hospitals that give bonuses to Administrative staff. And, I ask, why can’t the front line staff who are providing direct care get rewarded. What is wrong with this picture. I will add, at this point, there are many health care workers who are focused on controlling transmission of those bugs from patient to patient. These are the health care professionals who need recognizing, for these are who we want to provide our care. These are the dedicated professionals, who, in spite of all the hindrances and obstacles, continue to provide excellent care.

My curious side wondered, and wondered often. Would the health care worker be more aware, of good infection control practices, if they or a loved one had the experience of being on the receiving end of negative delivery of patient care (lack of infection control techniques and practices?) During my days, of being a Nursing Instructor, I would tell my students to care for each and every patient as they would want care provided. Additionally, I would ask them to also provide care as they would want care provided for one of their loved ones