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The importance of infection control in nursing:

When working in the career of nursing, the number one most important thing the nurse needs to learn before administering care to a patient, is proper infection control. In part of providing a healing, positive environment for a nurses patient, the nurse must also be aware of maintaining a safe, sanitary environment for not only their patient, but for themselves. Potter & Perry (2008, p. 785) recite the six points of the chain of infection, being “an infectious agent (pathogen), a reservoir (source for pathogen growth), a portal of exit from the reservoir, a mode of transmission, a portal of entry to a host, and a susceptible host”.

The simplest, easiest, and most effective way of breaking any point of the chain of infection would be hand-washing. Now I know, it seems simple, but is commonly looked by and forgotten. Breaking the chain of infection can be as simple as hand-washing but as effective as stopping and killing the spread of numerous deadly diseases, viruses, and infections. There are many other ways a nurse can protect themselves as well as their patient, and it is by wearing their appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment) and wearing it properly. Some items of PPE are gloves, masks, goggles, and gowns. Each one of these protective equipment pieces can deflect and kill the spread of numerous ailments.

Along with hand-washing and wearing appropriate PPE, the nurse must also be willing to explain and teach her patient about proper infection control, and even teach any visitors of the patient the importance of infection control. Teaching these simple yet imperative skills can help keep patients out of hospitals and clinics, and in the long run save patients lives.

Potter, P. A., & Perry, A. G. (2006). Canadian fundamentals of nursing. Toronto, ON: Elsevier
Canada.