Antimicrobial Resistance: Public Health Issue and Role of Nurses in Prevention Antimicrobial Resistance: Public Health Issue and Role of Nurses in Prevention Antimicrobial resistance is a significant global issue with serious implications for human health. The microorganisms that were previously sensitive to antibiotic treatment are now capable of withstanding attacks by antimicrobial medicines. One of the main reasons that cause antimicrobial resistance is the misuse of antibiotics, which includes an inappropriate selection of antibiotic type, dose, route, or duration of the therapy. The widespread improper use of antibiotics for livestock growth promotion contributes the antimicrobial resistance as well. The legislation is imperative to prohibit in selling antimicrobial drugs without prescription or adding antibiotics to animal food for growth promotion.
Also mentioned, is the increased risk of localized hypothermia and risk for infection as wet gauze to the wound can cause vasoconstriction and in theory, also decrease leukocyte mobility and efficiency of phagocytes. Gauze fibers may also be retained in the wound bed further increasing risk of infection. Lastly, the author suggests that the use of wet to dry dressings are not cost effective since they are labor intensive, require secondary dressings to contain exudate, and usually require nursing care within the community. The article closes by saying that further research is needed to fully understand the impact that dressing selection has in wound healing but suggests that practitioners should question the continued use of wet to dry dressings. Currently, Greenville Hospital System’s policy for healing of wounds by second intention is best met with the use of wet to dry dressings.
A wound is a disorder in the normal anatomical structure and function of living tissue which may be caused by physical, chemical, microbiological or immunological injury. Globally wounds also represent a significant burden on the patients and health care professionals or givers. Wound infection is also significant in that they are the most common nosocomial infection (Orrett, 2002) . Infection of the wound is the successful invasion, and proliferation by one or more organisms anywhere within the body’s sterile tissues and sometimes accompanied with pus formation (Calvin, 1998).Wound infection may result to prolong hospital stay, delay wound healing, increases cost of health care and morbidity in surgical patients (Orrett, 2002).. Wound infection with multiple organisms may even result to multiple organ failure or death of the patient when it becomes chronic.
There is without doubt, that these factors have set a foundation to promote a safe hand hygiene practice without guessing when and where to decontaminate. The transmissions of microorganism from one patient to another via (through) the hands, or from patient’s hands that has been decontaminated may result in adverse clinical outcomes. Overviews of epidemiological evidence concluded that hand mediated transmissions is the major contributing factor in the current infection threats to these infection includes staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and multi-resistant Gram –negative organism (MRSA), such as Acinetobacter SPP and Vancomycin- resistant enterococci (VRE). There is also a imminent threat to
CDC Latest Guidelines for C. Diff Clostridium difficile (CDI) is a health care related illness, with symptoms of severe diarrhea that can lead to dehydration. Hospital acquired infections easily spread among patients because the hospital provides an environment where sick people live in close proximity and where different kinds of infectious disease are constantly present. Although anyone can catch a healthcare related infection, those taking antibiotics and older adults are at most risk for a CDI. CDI infections are preventable and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have put together guidelines to prevent outbreaks. Antibiotics should only be prescribed when there is a potential for effectiveness.
This can alleviate their stress about tests that might involve threatening diseases. Having all medications labeled in containers will reduce medication errors for patients. This will help health care providers to see what is in each container, syringe and vial at all times. This goal is a crucial one in keeping medication errors to a minimum (The Joint commission, 2011). A vital area need for infection control is ensuring hand hygiene guidelines are strictly followed.
Also I had the opportunities to work in a hospice and research clinic through my agency. Currently, I am working in an orthopedic unit where I take care of patients with total hip, knee, back and neck surgeries. In telemetry departments, I have taken care of patient cardiac catheterizations, pacemaker insertion and step-down open heart surgery patient. Moreover, I have taken care of patient with chronic conditions like congestive heart failure, chronic renal failure, chronic
The secondary cause is related to an existing infection or disease. Each of these are caused by different irritants that result in the same disruption of normal perfusion. The attacks on the lung lead to alveolar inflammation and edema that causes low ventilation and blood and fluid to be pushed into the capillaries. This leads to a stasis in the lung’s gas perfusion and creates a pressure that makes it harder for the individual to breath (Anatomical Chart Company, 2010, p. 100). The first signs and symptoms of any infection should immediately be put to the attention of the health care provider.
Bacterial infections can usually be treated with anti-biotics however some types of bacteria can form a protective spore which can make them more resistant to heat and chemicals. The requirements for optimum growth are is a temperature of 37c, water, food, time, oxygen/ no oxygen. Common illnesses caused by bacteria are Salmonella, tuberculosis, MRSA, bronchitis, ear infections and tonsillitis. Virus-tend to be smaller than bacteria and in order for the cells to reproduce they need to be in a living host. The common way of treating a virus is through immunization as anti-biotics will not be effective against viral infections.
They can also be classified from a contextual perspective, in terms of the medicines, time, place and people involved (Spath, 2011). Modal classification is the third type, which refers to the manner in which the error took place, for example, errors can occur by substitution, omission or repetition. Patients’ safety and medical errors represent a subject that has recently gained both public and scientific attention. This is due to the fact that numerous medical errors have occurred, and lately on a regular basis (Jox, Schneider, Borasio & Dietz, 2010). These errors are accompanied by an increased cost in treatment, in addition to a number of moral consequences.