Eliminating Hospital Acquired Infection - Essay Example

"Eliminating Hospital Acquired Infection" is a wonderful example of a paper on the health system. In September 2003, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) launched a strategy that was aimed at speeding the movement of scientific discoveries in the field of medicine from the bench to the bedside, (NIH News, 2003). The whole strategy was branded the NIH Road Map for Medical Research, (NIH News, 2003). This was a strategy that would ensure that biomedical research would be made effective and hence improve the health care system by the innovation of new ways of treating diseases and understanding them. However due to the partnering of more than one body to ensure that the whole plan succeeds there are a number of issues that need to be addressed. This paper will look at the needs, perceptions, and reinforcements for partnering with an academic researcher and engaging in the active use of innovations. It will also look at the circumstances that would prompt changing of my programs, policies, or practice.

Hand Hygiene as a Method of Preventing Nosocomial Diseases

            Hand hygiene is one of the simplest yet effective ways of preventing cross-infections in hospitals, (Pittet, 2001). Skin protection is very necessary to ensure that satisfactory hand hygiene is observed. When working with an academic researcher it would be important to ensure that hand hygiene is observed to avoid cross-infection. This can be enhanced by the use of gloves when handling the patient to ensure that the pathogens are not transmitted from the patient to your hands. These pathogens are later transferred to your body or they can be transferred to another surface increasing cross-infection.

            If hands are suspected to be contaminated then disinfecting is important and it should be done immediately, (Pittet, 2001). So before any academic researcher is allowed to do his/her research in a given health institution it would be important to know how to observe hygiene to prevent the inconveniences that would be caused by any hitch or negligence. Pittet 2001, addresses some of the perceptions that lead to non-compliance and posing as risk factors for cross-infection. The main one is ignorance of the basic rules that need to be followed and disagreement with the laid protocols and guidelines, (Pittet, 2001).

            Circumstances that Would Lead to Change of Programs or Practice

            When working with academic researchers it is important to follow the laid guidelines and follow the accepted methods of health practice. The circumstances that can lead to change in the above would include; - legal intervention where the researcher is allowed to do against the set guidelines or protocols. However, medical ethics should be considered before arriving at such a conclusion.

Conclusion

            Observing hygiene in healthcare management and research can help to prevent many cross-infections and ensure that the practice to facilitate the increase in biomedical innovations is more successful. Academic researchers should be acquitted with the needed knowledge to observe the simple guidelines that can help them in their work.

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