JCN supplement
2014,Vol 28, No 5
23
INFECTION PREVENTION
I
nfection can have a devastating
impact on patients’ health
and wellbeing and can even
be potentially life-threatening
(Swanson and Jeanes, 2011;
Nazarko, 2014a). Thus, healthcare
professionals have a duty to reduce
the risk of infection regardless of
cause and/or healthcare setting.
With the rise of antibacterial
resistant organisms — so-called
‘super-bugs’— this becomes more
crucial, as these put a strain on
NHS resources as well as negatively
affecting patients’ quality of life and
wellbeing (Stephen-Haynes, 2014).
With the current shift of
emphasis from secondary care to
the community setting (Department
of Health [DH], 2009), and with
more patients being treated closer
to home, healthcare professionals
need to focus on preventing
and controlling infection and
encouraging patients to self-care
and follow aseptic techniques. In
addition, the increase in the older
population means that there are
more patients with chronic, long-
term conditions, which make them
more vulnerable to infection (e.g.
those with diabetes, pressure ulcers,
Jackie Stephen-Haynes, professor and consultant
nurse in tissue viability, Birmingham City
University and Worcestershire Health and
Care Trust
Infection prevention and control in
a community setting
IN BRIEF
Infection prevention and control in the community setting can
be challenging.
Infection can not only have a negative impact on patient quality of
life, but can also be potentially life-threatening.
With more people with long-term/complex conditions being treated
in primary care, principles of infection prevention/control are as
important in the community setting as they are in the acute sector.
KEYWORDS:
Infection prevention
and control
Healthcare-associated
infection (HCAI)
Patient-centred care
Skin decontamination
Jackie Stephen-Haynes
THE SCIENCE — INFECTION
Microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi,
yeasts are all sources of infection which can live on
people, animals, in the environment, and in food
and water.
Healthcare-associated infections (HCAI) are no
longer the preserve of hospitals but occur in any
healthcare setting. This is due both to the changes
in where care is delivered and microbial behaviour
(Gould, 2005). One of the most commonly found HCAI in hospitals is
meticillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA), and there are now strains
of community-acquired MRSA.
Clostridium difficile
(pictured above) is
another example, belonging to the
Clostridia
group of anaerobic bacteria.
etc; Nazarko, 2014b), requiring care
at home.
Ensuring that infection prevention
and control measures in the
community are effective poses a
significant challenge. Previously,
community nurses may not have
had immediate access to infection
prevention and control staff (Lawrence
and May, 2003) and, while this has
improved, it is still variable.
What is important is that
healthcare professionals work with
patients and their family/carer(s) to
increase their awareness of infection
prevention and control and educate
and support them on the benefits of
maintaining hygiene and cleanliness
(Swanson and Jeanes, 2011).
Credit: TCjc2nd @wikicommons
‘...
with more patients being
treated closer to home, healthcare
professionals need to focus on
preventing and controlling infection
and encouraging patients to self-
care and follow aseptic techniques
’
