Capstone Project: Chlorhexidine Bath Or Shower Pre Operatively Prevent And Or Reduce The Incidence Of Surgical Site Infection



Abstract

Surgical Site Infections (SSIs) and Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs) are the type of infections which usually occur due to invasive procedures involved in the surgery and the cause is the invasion by the microbes present on the skin surface. Pre operative baths and showers with antiseptic and antimicrobial agents like chlorhexidine is an effective tool to control and prevent such infections. The fact has been established that chlorhexidine reduces the resident micro flora present on the skin surface which is the main cause of healthcare acquired infections.

Capstone Project: Chlorhexidine Bath Or Shower Pre Operatively Prevent And Or Reduce The Incidence Of Surgical Site Infection

Introduction

A healthcare system of any nation faces certain economic consequences which are usually caused by the infections particularly related to the healthcare system. These become the reasons for increased morbidity and mortality within the healthcare systems. The economic burden which is particularly associated in terms of increases in cost force the nation towards the adaption of new changes and gives birth to new initiatives. This advocates and compels to adopt the prevention practices to control infections and more researches are done so that the healthcare system can have a better understanding of the pathogens which are responsible for the infections within the healthcare system. Despite of numerous efforts a considerable amount of work has been done so far to overcome these issues, but still it requires extra efforts and demands more new approaches to deal with it.

Protection from hospital acquired infections is not only based on the proper allocation of resources and necessary means rather it also demand reasonable concerns from the healthcare providers so that the patient remains safe during the stay within the healthcare setting. The commitment demands proper allocation of responsibilities at every end as well as a constant effort to improvise the system on individual basis. Along with the identification of the cause the system also needs to identify the negative aspects prevailing with the system which are leading to the onset of these problems. A pre defined nursing approach holds great importance in this regard.

The infections related to the healthcare system especially those with comes in contact during the surgical operations is one of the major international health care concern. Millions of patients all over the world are infected by hospital acquired infections each year, and this is main cause of increase in mortality rate as well as heavy burden in terms of financial losses within the health care settings. Out of every 100 hospitalized patients at any time of the inspection, 7 in developed countries and 10 in the partially developing state will acquire at least one of the infections associated with health care setting (WHO, 2013).

The epidemic burden due to hospital acquired infections is very high particularly in low income and unstable countries as compared to the countries where resources are not an ...