How to Prevent HAIs in Healthcare Facilities

When patients enter a healthcare facility, they expect to get better, not worse. Sadly, about 1 in every 31 patients will contract a healthcare-associated infection (HAI).

What Is an HAI?

An HAI is an infection that develops as a result of medical care. HAIs are prevalent in hospitals, outpatient surgery centers, nursing homes, dialysis centers, and rehabilitation facilities.

Everyone is at risk of getting an HAI; however, some people are more susceptible than others, such as children, the elderly, those with medical conditions like diabetes, and those who are immunocompromised.

With more than 680,000 infections in the United States each year, the healthcare costs related to HAIs are in the billions. HAIs are not only a financial burden to the healthcare system but can also cause irreparable bodily harm and, in extreme cases, lead to death.

HAIs are often associated with surgical or medical procedures where devices such as catheters or ventilators are used. In order for an HAI to develop, bacteria must enter the body. This can happen through a wound, a medical device, or even through the lungs.

HAI Prevention

When it comes to HAIs, prevention is key. Both healthcare providers and patients are at risk of contracting an HAI. There are several ways to prevent an HAI:

Wash Hands Regularly

The easiest way to prevent HAIs and the spread of germs is by thoroughly washing hands throughout the day. Hands should be washed with warm water and hand soap for at least 20 seconds and then dried with paper towels. Studies show that paper towels are more hygienic than air dryers. Healthcare staff should also wash hands before drinking, eating, providing care, and between patient visits.

When soap and water are unavailable, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is the next best defense against HAIs.

Clean And Disinfect Surfaces

Between patients, every room in a facility and every hard surface in the room should be cleaned with a cleanser containing bleach. This helps to prevent the transmission of infections when new patients are admitted. Areas like breakrooms and nurses' stations should also be cleaned daily.

Soft surfaces like chair cushions and curtains need to be cleaned as well. Use a fabric-safe upholstery cleaner to remove germs without ruining the fabric.

Create An Infection-Control Policy

Sometimes, it is necessary to isolate patients with preexisting or underlying health conditions or those who are most at risk for contracting or passing along HAIs. This policy should outline when it's necessary to implement emergency measures and when patients should be placed in isolation to prevent contact with staff and other patients.

Additionally, all infectious waste should be disposed of right away in identifiable biohazard bags. This ensures that germs don't linger in the air and that infectious waste does not contaminate other trash or areas.

Identify Contagious Infections

Highly contagious infections should be identified as soon as possible, as most HAIs originate from these infections and spread quickly. Patients with diarrhea should be tested for Clostridium difficile (c. diff), and patients with respiratory issues should be tested for the flu. If a patient is diagnosed with such a condition, they should be isolated immediately, per the infection-control policy.

Additionally, staff members should know how to identify common infections to help prevent their spread. Facilities should provide ongoing education on infection control, including training on bloodborne pathogens and droplet-borne infections.

Provide PPE To Patients

Healthcare professionals should always use personal protective equipment (PPE), especially when interacting with patients, changing bed linens, or emptying the trash. And patients who are isolated should be given appropriate PPE, such as disposable gloves, shoe covers, face masks, and waterproof gowns.

Ask Patients To Wear Shoes

When walking around a healthcare facility, patients should be encouraged to wear shoes or nonslip socks, including in their patient room. This minimizes exposure to HAIs, as nurses often work in several different areas of a hospital, which can increase their risk of carrying pathogens from one room to another.

Whether patients (or staff) walk around barefoot or not, hospital floors should be thoroughly cleaned on a regular basis. Most require routine sweeping and mopping with appropriate floorcare chemicals. For deep cleaning, floor machines should be used as directed.

Change And Wash Linens Daily

Bed linens should not be left on patients' beds for extended periods of time. They should be properly cleaned and sanitized in laundry detergent and changed daily. Also, linens that fall on the floor should be laundered immediately.

Use soiled linen can liners to collect linens and prevent the spread of germs by discarding them into appropriate trash bins or other bins as soon as possible.

Keep Foods At Proper Temperatures

If food sits out in a patient's room for too long, it can spoil or go bad. Foodborne bacteria multiply rapidly if food is not kept at an appropriate temperature or if there are delays between food preparation and distribution.

Keep snacks and drinks in refrigerators at the proper temperature and check during each shift to make sure food safety protocols are being followed. Patients should also be encouraged to eat meals within 30 minutes of removal from chilled storage.

Stock Up With AP&T

American Paper & Twine is here to supply you with all the HAI-prevention products you need. From cleaners and disinfectants to PPE and hand soaps, visit ShopAPT.com for anti-HAI essentials.

AP&T also has infection control experts on staff available to consult with your EVS and housekeeping departments. We can help find the right solutions to keep patients and staff in your facility safe and healthy.

Contact AP&T today to speak with an expert.

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