General rules for the prevention of infection

Application of infection prevention and early detection measures, by the nurse, in an at-risk patient.

Objectives:

– Minimize the risk of developing a nosocomial infection. – Educate the patient and family on infection prevention measures.

Equipment:

– Equipment needed depending on the care to be applied.

Material:

– Material needed depending on the care to be applied. – Nursing records.

Procedure:

– Assess signs or symptoms of infection. – Assess the patient’s degree of vulnerability to infection. – Limit the number of visits if necessary. – Maintain aseptic standards in the patient. – Apply isolation precautions, if appropriate.

– Follow standard precautions. – Wash hands before and after each procedure. – Alcoholic hand disinfection. – Dress wounds with sterile technique and change dressings and bandages when wet or soiled. – Assess the condition of any wounds, drains or punctures. – Insert and care for catheters with sterile technique. – Keep drains and infusion systems in closed circuit. – Handle infusion systems as little as possible. – Encourage nutritional intake and necessary fluids. – Facilitate rest. – Help patients to perform a correct skin and mouth hygiene. – Properly dispose of wet and soiled bedding. – Dispose of feces and urine in appropriate receptacles. – Maintain the integrity of skin and mucous membranes. – Observe for changes in vitality level. – Instruct patient and family about signs and symptoms of infection and how to avoid infection. – Teach patients and family to wash hands before eating, after passing stool and after touching infectious material. – Use cleaning and disinfection measures for the patient’s furniture and room. – The patient’s toiletries should be individual. – Dispose of medical waste according to waste management.

Observations:

Report suspected nosocomial infections to the Preventive Medicine service.