Class 1 - Holistic care and Infection Prevention

holistic care

care that addresses the many dimensions that comprise the whole person

human dimensions

spiritual, emotional, social, physical, environmental, financial, intellectual

health

physical, mental and social wellbeing; person’s ability to carry out activities of daily living

morbidity

how frequently a disease occurs

mortality

the number of deaths resulting from a disease

acute illness

usually has a rapid onset of symptoms and lasts a short time

chronic illness

a broad term that encompasses a number of different physical and mental alterations in health with one or more of a set of characteristics

characteristics of a chronic illness

* causes permanent change
* causes/is caused by irreversible alterations in normal anatomy/physiology
* requires special patient education for rehabilitation
* requires a long period of care or support

illness behaviors

1. experiencing symptoms
2. assuming the sick role
3. assuming the dependent role
4. achieving recovery or rehabilitation

social determinants of health

the conditions in the environments in which people are born/live/learn/work/play/worship/age that affect a wide range of health, functioning and quality of life outcomes

culturally sensitive nursing

care is planned and implemented in a way that is sensitive to the needs of individuals/families/groups from diverse populations within society

aspects of culturally sensitive nursing

* develop awareness
* demonstrate knowledge and understanding
* accepting and respecting differences
* don’t assume
* resisting judgement
* being open and comfortable
* accepting responsibility

infection

resultant disease state from the presence of pathogens; our job as nurses is to break the chain of disease

first line defenses

skin and mucous membranes, inflammatory responses, normal flora

second line defenses

immune system and immune response

asepsis

preventing or breaking the chain of infection

medical asepsis

reduction of number and transfer of organisms

surgical asepsis

eliminates microbes, sterile technique

healthcare acquired infections (HAIs)

infections due to a pathogen in the healthcare environment, symptoms present 3 days after admission, often add an additional 19 days in the facility

nosocomial HAI infection

not present at the time of admission to the hospital

exogenous HAI infection

enters the body from the patients surrounding

endogenous HAI infection

immunocompromised person gets sick from a microbe already in their body

iatrogenic HAI infection

an infection following a surgical/medical procedure

common HAIs

* CAUTI
* ventilator-associated pneumonia
* central line-associated bloodstream infections
* MRSA
* VRE
* CRE
* C-DIFF

Accidental exposure procedure

1. wash exposed area immediately
2. report injury according to protocol
3. inform the agency of source and nature
4. consent to blood draw
5. obtain blood sample from client
6. attend counseling if needed