The perioperative nurse plays an important role in preventing the development of nosocomial infections. Concern over nosocomial infection is great. The National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (NNIS) system established in 1970 collects and reports data from participating hospitals. The hospitals remain confidential, the information is published for anyone to view. The most recent report is from January 1999 through June 2004.1
On January 22, 2003 the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) released a Sentinel Event Alert pertaining to infection control related sentinel events. This alert cited reports from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) indicating that approximately 90,000 patients out of nearly 2 million patients in hospitals who acquire infections die from a nosocomial infection.2
This study guide provides useful information that the perioperative nurse can use to help control infection within the surgical environment and decrease the risk of nosocomial infections.
OBJECTIVES
After completing this continuing education activity, the participant should be able to:
- Discuss the importance of infection control in the operating room.
- Identify factors that the perioperative nurse may control within the environment to help minimize the risk of nosocomial infections.
- Recognize the value of handwashing in control of infection.
- Determine actions the perioperative nurse may take to reduce the risk of nosocomial infections in his or her own institution.
Please note that CBSPD does not award CE credit for this particular course.
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