3 ways you can stop infections in your ED
Here are three steps to take to prevent hospital-acquired infections in your ED:
- Identify infections early on.
Obtain as much information as possible at triage, to determine prior to any testing if your patient is at risk of having an infectious process occurring, says Karen Smith, RN, MSN, director of nursing for the ED at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland.
Ask patients if they have a rash or skin lesions that appear to be draining, fever, diarrhea, recent exposure to someone with an infectious disease, travel outside of the United States, recent admission to the hospital, or recent antibiotic therapy, says Smith. "If any of the above questions result in a 'yes,' and the patient is symptomatic, they are placed in an isolation room," says Smith. "It is better to error on the side of caution."
- Communicate with others.
"The need to inform admitting units and support departments — lab, radiology, social work — is imperative," says Smith.
When MetroHealth's ED nurses give report to the next provider, nurse, or department, by telephone or at the patient's bedside, a review of the patient's chief complaint, course of treatment, and plan of care is always included. The person receiving report always is given the opportunity to ask and respond to questions. "We do not use a check-off process, but the nurse utilizes her electronic charting as a communication tool when giving patient report to the receiving nurse," says Smith. "If the clinical staff do not communicate the potential for infectious process, then exposure may occur."
- Keep nurses up to date.
Many multiple drug-resistant organisms are resistant to hand sanitizers and certain disinfecting solutions. "Educating and re-educating ED nurses about how to prevent transmission is imperative," warns Smith.
MetroHealth's clinical nurse specialist gives ED nurses inservices as needed or requested, such as caring for patients with Clostridium difficile. "Infection control clinicians also are key to this educational process," says Smith.
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