Hospital Acquired Infections

By: Lexy Benge

Hospital acquired infections also known as nosocomial infections or health care
associated infections affect thousands of patients world wide. To be classified as a nosocomial
infection, the patient must have been admitted into a health care facility for other reasons that
have nothing to do with the new hospital acquired infection. As a matter of fact, statistics show
that 1 patient out of a total of 25 patients will have at least one hospital acquired infection. Some
of these infections include: central line associated blood stream infections, catheter associated
urinary tract infections, surgical site infections and ventilator associated pneumonia. Because of
these infections, health care costs are much higher than what they should be. They are also the
most common complication of hospital visits and the leading cause of preventable deaths among
the United States. If we stick to an effective solution, I believe we can reduce the frequency of
this ongoing problem
So far, implementing prevention practices has resulted in a financial benefit of $25 billion
to $35 billion in health care cost savings. If we continue these safe practices, I believe we can
increase the financial benefit and save lives. There are four different techniques that can be used
to prevent nosocomial infections. According to statistics cutting down on RBC transfusions can
slash infection rates up to 20%. Rates of hospital acquired infections were much lower in patients
who were in clinical trials that restricted blood transfusions. Another wise solution includes
embracing the latest technology. Hospitals around the country that use ultraviolet light have
reduced the bacteria C. Diff by 70% percent and the bacteria that causes MRSA by 35%.
Organizations can use these portable machines to disinfect facilities and clinicians after treating
patients. Another way to prevent hospital acquired infections is by considering the use of copper

surfaces. Using copper surfaces for many tools in the hospital could reduce infection by up to
60%. According to researcher Michael Schmidt copper "literally steals the electricity inside the
microbes, rendering them inactive," If hospitals used this preventive measure, they wouldnt
even have to change their cleaning strategies. Copper surfaces reduce the colonization of multi
drug resistant microbes. The final way to lessen hospital acquired infections is to educate doctors
and patients better on hand hygiene. Hand washing is something that is often overlooked way too
often and can result in catastrophe. We cant get rid of every single dangerous microorganism but
we can stop spreading them.
I think the most effective measure to prevent hospital acquired infections would be to
encourage hand hygiene to patients and doctors. By washing your hands, you can save yourself
from sickness and other people as well. This isnt just limited to preventing hospital acquired
infections. Its a very simple 20 second process and when its done correctly, it can make all the
difference in the world. Hand hygiene doesnt cost any extra money and we can benefit from it
so easily. According to a report from the National Health Foundation, when California hospitals
participated in peer to peer learning about the Patient Safety First Initiative, ventilator associated
pneumonia decreased by 57%, catheter associated urinary tract infections by 24%, and sepsis
mortality rates from 22.58 out of 100 to 16.62 out of 100 within three years. Imagine if we had
this kind of success all over the world.
A weakness that affects us today with hand hygiene is that so many people are so
unaware of how important it is. Many people also dont use it. I am guilty of not using correct
hand hygiene enough myself. To make it more effective, we could put up informational posters
and make hand hygiene brochures available to exemplify the importance of it. In every bathroom
instead of just a few, we could put directions on how to effectively wash your hands above the

sink. If we wanted to really take it to another level, some type of administration could stand at
the doorway of each bathroom to make sure that everyone performs hand hygiene to the full
extent. Health care facilities should consider providing more in depth and detailed infection
control policies to help staff learn the microbiological aspects of the bacterium, risk factors,
treatment and diagnosis.
My critical thinking thought process is going to have a much bigger affect on me in my
career than what I expected. My mother always told me that the best nurses werent the straight
A students, but those who could think outside of the box. Now that Ive written this paper I see
what she means. Math and science are involved in nursing but problem solving skills are much
more important. Sometimes we dont always get a straight forward answer but instead are given
two right answers. When you are a nurse you have to pick the rightest answer.

Citations
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CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention,15Oct.2015.Web.02Nov.
2015
3. "HospitalAcquiredInfections.":PracticeEssentials,Background,

Pathophysiology.N.p.,n.d.Web.02Nov.2015.
4. "1in25PatientsEndUpwithHospitalAcquiredInfections."

Mercola.com.N.p.,n.d.Web.02Nov.2015
5. "InU.S.,HospitalacquiredInfectionsRunRampant."CBSNews.CBS

Interactive,n.d.Web.02Nov.2015.