Healthcare-acquired infections, or HAIs, that have the potential to lead to sepsis are ubiquitous hazards in Texas hospitals and other types of medical facilities. A concerted effort must be undertaken to prevent HAIs in the first instance. There are a number of fundamental strategies demonstrated effective at lessening the risk of spread.
What is sepsis?
Sepsis is an infection that has spread to the bloodstream. As a result, an infection can spread throughout a person’s body. Sepsis can result in septic shock, a condition that is marked by organ failure and dangerously low blood pressure, Septic shock can result in death.
Preventing HAIs
The importance of preventing HAIs to prevent sepsis cannot be understated. There are a number of key strategies that are crucial to blocking this type of hospital negligence.
Healthcare workers must be vigilant in properly observing sterile processes when performing patient procedures and treatments. This includes such patient care tasks as inserting urinary catheters and changing wound dressings. Everyone that enters a patient’s room or touches a patient must wash their hands. This requirement exists even if a person is wearing gloves.
Thorough cleaning is vital. This includes patient rooms, common areas, and other areas in a hospital where people move through or congregate in any manner. All medical equipment must be properly washed. Equipment must also be sterilized, as appropriate.
Invasive procedures should be limited whenever possible. When necessary, an invasive procedure should be undertaken in the shortest amount of time reasonably possible.
Patient rooms should be well-ventilated. Whenever possible, patients should be provided private rooms. Patients must be closely monitored for any signs of infection. Early detection and treatment of HAIs is the best way of minimizing harm caused to a patient.
Preventing the spread of HAIs requires a united effort by all medical facility staff members. These include only medical personnel but administrators and other staffers as well.