The home care setting is a challenging work environment for home health and hospice caregivers regarding patient safety. As well as being exposed to household hazards like reduced air quality, lead paint, and potentially harmful cleaning products. These already frail patients are put out in the open with infections and disease. Caregivers are normally not able to get rid of all household dangers. However, there are procedures that can be taken to diminish the risk of disease spread.
Contaminated surroundings are of great concern when it comes to preventing the spread of transferable disease in a home-like setting. A range of procedures used by caregivers themselves could possibly present a risk of infection. This includes the transportation of pathogens throughout direct and indirect contact with things like food, pets, and non-living household objects.
Where can unsanitary conditions be eliminated?
A main area of concern in the home care setting is the bathroom. Merely flushing the toilet can promote the spread of potentially hazardous microbes. Laundry is also a concern, along with handling foods and household kitchen appliances. Disinfection needs to be introduced into the home.
Infection Control Practices
Infection control begins with observation; in a home care environment this would rely on home care nurses to recognize and follow up on patients who demonstrate clinical signs and symptoms of infection. A nurse dealing with infection control is trained to obtain this information, go over evidence, and diagnose the patient based off of the gained knowledge. This is the only time a home care agency can begin working on prevention tactics. In most cases, home care nurses are told to use gowns, gloves and masks when handling patients who have an infection. However, this does more to guard for the caregiver than it does to protect other patients. Suitable prevention methods consist of using barrier safety measures; reusable utensils such as stethoscopes and blood pressure cuffs are to stay in the home of the impure patient. In addition home care nurses are to be instructed to care for their patients towards the end of the day when they have been with all other patients.
What is the Future of Infection and Disease Control?
Extra studies and reports are essential to progress knowledge about the risk factors of infections and disease extended from one patient to another. The effects of present infection prevention practices should also be reviewed and studied; taking example from hospital-based infection control professionals.
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