Hand hygiene for nursing

The increased cases of deaths emanating from Hospital-acquired infections are preventable. Just like it is vital to demonstrate professionalism as a healthcare provider by keeping short hair and trimming of nails, hand washing is essential. Also, it is crucial for healthcare providers to educate patients about the importance of washing hands with soap and clean water. While in Cardiothoracic unit, some patients cannot be able to access hand sanitizer. A patient’s condition can be complicated since most patients in this unit require maximum care from nurses. Also, the increased cases of diseases are challenging to manage, and this exhibits economic consequences. Healthcare systems spend a lot while intervening the infections and the same applies to the patients (Harvestic et al.

For example, “an estimate of 30% of healthcare providers reported symptoms of dermatitis” (Awoke et al. Also, there is an increased case of skin rashes implying that the productivity of healthcare providers dwindled. Maintaining hand hygiene will be cheaper than managing Hospital-acquired infections, but unfortunately, many healthcare providers globally are a high risk of contracting Hospital-acquired infections. For instance, safety measures have been prioritized during diagnostic procedures. Qualified healthcare providers avoid the possibilities of mixing up the lab results with the aim of prescribing the ideal medication treatment for the patients (Harvestic et al. Still, 1 in 25 patients in the acute care setting will develop healthcare-associated infection given that the principal objective of a hospital stay is to attain improved patients’ outcomes (Harvestic, 2017).

The safety measures need to be maintained before, during and after the performance of surgery. Some hospitals have informed patients about the repercussions of failing to maintain hand hygiene, but still, the hospital-acquired infections cannot be curbed. Washing hands with soap and clean water kill germs which may cause infectious diseases. In 2018, the World Health Organization conducted a survey in Ethiopia regarding observance of hand hygiene. The study marked the beginning of rolling out infection prevention program. Harvestic suggests the need to provide patients with tools that encourage supervision of patients using hand hygiene products (2017). Today, the World Health Organization (WHO) has developed an observational tool which has helped nurses and patients in hospitals in knowing when and how to wash hands.

Body action is not the only way a patient or a nurse can acquire germs. After visiting a washroom, it is essential to wash hands. This needs to apply before and after eating. That said, some patients usually apply their favorite skin lotion after washing hands. It is a good thing that the patients or visitors know about preventing skin dryness. In other words, this assesses whether or not patients and healthcare providers within the unit are implementing best practices of maintaining hygiene (Awoke, 2018). Washing of hands will not be the safest way of preventing transmission of germs if the nails are long and dirty. The nails need to be cut by a razor blade or a nail cutter before proceeding to wash your hands.

Also, there is a need for patients and nurses to remove bungles or watches before washing. This makes the hands free, and the action will be 100% effective since the dirt in all parts of the hands will be removed (Perry, Potter, & Ostendorf, 2015). An observational tool is essential in a healthcare organization because it guarantees maximum effectiveness as far as observing hand hygiene is concerned. More research works should be conducted with the aim of formulating best practices enabling observance of hand hygiene for all the stakeholders in a specific medical institution. In that case, the hospital administration should invest in creating an education platform. Also, the hospitals must be fitted with functional sinks and water systems. There should also be a constant supply of clean water (Harvestick, 2017).