NR 449 Week 7 RUA Presentation

Student Name

Chamberlain University

NR-449 Evidence-Based Practice

Prof. Name

Date

AHR Quality Indicators: A Comprehensive Overview

Presented by: Aissatou Diallo, Alyssa Harrison, Ashley James, Safina Ortiz, and Maame Seiwaa

Problem Identification

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) remain a critical concern in modern healthcare systems. Key quality indicators identified in this research highlight the importance of infection prevention measures, including proper hand hygiene, appropriate utilization of personal protective equipment (PPE), and effective strategies to prevent infections. These indicators are essential not only for reducing HAIs but also for enhancing overall patient safety and clinical outcomes.

Failure to maintain stringent infection control protocols can lead to severe consequences, including increased patient morbidity and mortality. Moreover, lapses in infection prevention elevate healthcare costs and strain resources, affecting the sustainability of healthcare delivery systems. Addressing these indicators is vital for both patient well-being and the quality of nursing practice.

Impact on Nursing Practice

In nursing practice, adherence to infection control measures is paramount. Improper hand hygiene or incorrect PPE usage can directly impact patient safety, leading to preventable infections. Nurses play a pivotal role in implementing preventive strategies and ensuring compliance with hospital protocols. Proactive infection prevention not only safeguards patients but also enhances the reputation and efficiency of healthcare institutions.

The Research Process

Databases Utilized

The study involved an extensive review of multiple databases to gather evidence-based information:

Search Terms

The following terms guided the literature search:

• Evidence-Based Practice Research

• Quality Indicators

• Hand Hygiene and PPE

• Infection Control

Research Methodologies

A variety of methodologies were included to ensure comprehensive analysis:

• Observational studies

• Randomized controlled trials (RCTs)

• Surveys

• Video-reflexive ethnography

Research Findings

Study Overview

Key findings demonstrated that adherence to proper hand hygiene and PPE protocols significantly reduces infection rates. For instance, a randomized control trial by Kim, E.-Gyeong, & Jeong, I. S. (2019) reported that participants in the experimental group showed significantly higher accuracy in both hand hygiene (p < 0.001) and PPE donning/doffing (p < 0.001) than the control group.

Qualitative Evidence Validity

A large-scale survey across 183 U.S. hospitals involving 11,282 patients revealed that approximately 4% experienced at least one HCAI. Predominant microorganisms included Clostridium difficile, with surgical site infections (SSIs), pneumonia, and gastrointestinal infections being the most frequent. A previous study in the same patient cohort reported a 6% HCAI rate, with Staphylococcus aureus as the most common pathogen.

Quantitative Evidence Validity

Historical evidence from Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis demonstrated the critical role of hand hygiene in reducing maternal mortality. The prevention of pathogen transmission through proper handwashing and antiseptic techniques has long been established as a cornerstone of infection control. Early interventions, such as the use of chlorinated lime, significantly reduced infection incidence in clinical settings.

Practice Changes

For Patients

Patients can adopt the following strategies to reduce infection risk:

• Wear masks during hospitalization

• Maintain consistent hand hygiene practices

• Adhere to prescribed antibiotics and report infection signs promptly

• Stay up-to-date with vaccinations

• Allow environmental staff to maintain proper cleaning of hospital rooms

For Healthcare Providers

Healthcare staff should implement these infection prevention measures:

• Ensure proper PPE training and fit, including FFP2 masks

• Provide structured face-to-face training and hard-copy educational modules, ideally twice annually

Recommendations for Implementation

These measures aim to reinforce proper infection control practices, safeguard patient health, and improve clinical outcomes.

Conclusion

Proper handwashing and PPE usage are critical for infection prevention in healthcare environments. Implementing evidence-based infection control practices not only reduces HAI rates but also improves patient outcomes and strengthens nursing practices. Continuous education, surveillance, and adherence to established protocols remain essential components in maintaining high-quality care standards.

References

Alrubaiee, G. G., Baharom, A., Faisal, I., HayatibKadir, S., Daud, S. M., Basaleem, H. O. (2021). Implementation of an educational module on nosocomial infection control measures: A randomized hospital-based trial. BMC Nursing, 20(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-020-00587-2

Arianpoor, A., Zarifian, A. A., Askari, E. (2020). Infection prevention and control idea challenge contest: A fresh view on medical education and problem solving. Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13756-020-0688-y

Haque, M., Sartelli, M., McKimm, J., & Abu Bakar, M. (2018). Healthcare-associated infections: An overview. Infection and Drug Resistance, 11, 2321–2333. https://doi.org/10.2147/IDR.S177247

Neuwirth, M. M., Mattner, F., Otchwenah, R. (2020). Adherence to personal protective equipment use among healthcare workers caring for confirmed COVID-19 and alleged non-COVID-19 patients. Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13756-020-0688-y

NR 449 Week 7 RUA Presentation

Dequeker, S. (2019). Quality indicators for infection prevention and control in Belgian acute care hospitals. NSIH Symposium 2019. Retrieved from https://www.wiv-isp.be/nsih/download/symposium%202019/Sara%20Dequeker_Quality%20indicators.pdf

Shang, J., Needleman, J., Liu, J., Larson, E., & Stone, P. W. (2019). Nurse staffing and healthcare-associated infection, unit-level analysis. The Journal of Nursing Administration, 49(5), 260–265. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNA.0000000000000748

Reddy, S. C., Valderrama, A. L., Kuhar, D. T. (2019). Improving the use of personal protective equipment: Applying lessons learned. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 69(Supplement_3), S165-S170. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciz619