Unit 8 H1n1

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Infection control refers to action devoted to policies and procedures that reduce the risk of spreading infections, reduce the occurrence of diseases caused by bacteria and viruses, parasite. The infectious diseases are normally spread by human to human, human to animal contact or by ingestion of food, droplet in the air, and contact with a surface that is the vehicle of the infective agent. H1N1, commonly known as the swine flu, a viral infection, was a cause of 2009 world-wide pandemic. The virus was first found in pigs, but a similar virus also found in humans. The virus spreads in a same manner as any other seasonal flu, mainly by droplets (small particles in the air) when an infected person coughs, sneezes or even talks, but also by touching …show more content…

The primary prevention is the best way to eliminate the potential for exposure. Since hand washing is the most effective mean of spread of infection, it would be my primary goal to increase the compliance of hand hygiene among healthcare workers, but also an extensive education of patients and family members on hand washing before and after touching the patient as well as afar any contact with any potentially contaminated materials (surface, body fluids or respiratory secretions). Mandatory education of patients, visitors and healthcare workers, across the system as well as cross department compliance practices are single best mean of preventing the spread of infection. For example, every patient and family member can be educated about hand hygiene, use of PPE-personal protective equipment (face mask, gowns and gloves). Although, the practices are already being utilized, I believe the compliance is poorly monitored. As a healthcare manager, a secondary preventive strategy that I propose to reduce the spread of epidemic would be making the rapid diagnostic test mandatory on all admissions, visitors and health care workers during the flu season. The rapid diagnostic tests provide the results in less than 15 minutes, are not invasive and fairly inexpensive when comparing to the cost of caring for the infected patient, working days lost and cost of complications