Use of personal protective equipment in nursing practice

A comprehensive understanding of infection prevention and control is essential for nurses when seeking to protect themselves, patients, colleagues and the general public from the transmission of infection. Personal protective equipment (PPE) - such as gloves, aprons and/or gowns, and eye protection - is an important aspect of infection prevention and control for all healthcare staff, including nurses. Its use requires effective assessment, an understanding of the suitability of various types of PPE in various clinical scenarios, and appropriate application. Understanding the role of PPE will enable nurses to use it appropriately and reduce unnecessary cost, while ensuring that the nurse-patient relationship remains central to care. This article defines PPE and its components, outlines when it should be used and details its optimal application.

[Infection control training for physicians to improve hand hygiene on surgical rounds : The more the better?]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

A high level of hand hygiene compliance is the best way to prevent postoperative wound infections and is therefore an important starting point for interventions. Despite different campaigns the hand hygiene compliance of physicians remains to be improved. The aim was to analyze the effect of tailored and innovative interventions on the hand hygiene compliance of physicians.

METHODS

At first the hand hygiene compliance of physicians was monitored during their ward rounds at three different wards. Afterwards two different interventions were performed and 6 weeks after each intervention the hand hygiene compliance was monitored again.

RESULTS

The hand hygiene compliance of the control group (no intervention) did not change throughout the study. The ward where a small intervention was used showed an increase of hand hygiene compliance. Tailored intervention, however, resulted in a significant improvement of hand hygiene compliance in the ward where it was used.

DISCUSSION AND PROSPECTS

Training concerning hand hygiene has to be improved to increase the prevention of infections. Tailored interventions with a high amount of practical relevance are suited to increase the compliance with preventive procedures (e.g. hand hygiene compliance). To improve the infection prevention for physicians in the long term, a firm knowledge about the indications for hand hygiene procedures is needed. This can be ensured by infection control training with a practical focus, small memory aids and permanent support from infection prevention professionals.