Understanding the Value of Proper Nursing Practices to Improved Recovery Procedures Among Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis Medication, Article Critique Example

Article Source:

Thompson ND, Novak RT, Datta D, Cotter S, Arduino MJ, Patel PR, Williams IT, Bialek SR. (2009). Hepatitis C virus transmission in hemodialysis units: importance of infection control practices and aseptic technique. National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. Sep;30(9):900-3.

Background of the Article

The hepatitis C virus is the most common type of virus that is labeled as blood-borne. Passed on through direct contact with blood veins from an infected person to another, the development of a chain of effect becomes an evident problem that needs to be dealt with especially in particular healthcare facilities that provide medical procedures that are related to blood-cleaning and purification such as that of hemodialysis. Understandably, it is essential to note that being able to contend with this growing problem about contamination and viral transmission among patients is an essential aspect of the practice of nursing as it does define the capacity and the competence of these health workers to improve the process by which patients undergoing particular medication procedures recover fast from their current health status.

• Purpose and Objective

The research of Thompson (2009) and his colleagues about the transmittal of HCV or the hepatitis C virus is focused upon examining the incident rise of transmission between the years 1998 to 2006 in healthcare facilities particularly found in Ohio, Wisconsin, Maryland and Virginia. The reason for these locations’ being chosen for the study is the fact that these states have received the most remarkable rate of outbreaks of HCV infections during the years indicated. Most of the outbreaks occurred in the hemodialysis units of the healthcare facilities examined. In relation to this, the research is focused on defining the different procedures that has lead to the transmission of HCV among infected patients and the practices that specifically made such transfer possible. It is expected by the researchers that once such practices have been well identified then the creation of resolutions could be given proper attention to hence improving the process by which nursing procedures are undertaken especially in critical areas such as the hemodialysis units.

• Methodology

Patients were reported to have been infected were tested for serologic marker of HCV infection. Through the use of the enzyme immunoassay, the HCV components have been saturated and identified hence have been noted for their existence. Through the application of medical analysis and development of the samples garnered from the patients, the situation has been remarked and specifically defined to have been impacted particular practices in the facilities that the patients have been admitted in. Among the most common areas of location is that of the hemodialysis units where most of the patients were brought into.

• Results and Discussions

In relation to the results that have been presented, it has been realized that there were particular practices seen to have affected the development of the situation. These practices include the following:

• Improper storage and administration of IV medications
• Failure to wipe down particular surfaces that are within the environmental background where the patients are situated.
• Utilization of mobile medication or supply cart from one room to another

From these reflective conditions, the researchers imposed that a consideration over the improvement of nursing practice through the application of the principles of the aseptic technique be duly and strictly observed in the healthcare facilities that handle cases that are related to hemodialysis and other procedures alike.

Reflections and Reactions

The article’s suggestions on the resolution for the problem that has been realized by the researchers of this study have a great impact on the process by which current nurses are considering their duties towards their clients and the reputation that they are protecting as healthcare professionals. Understandably, this study hopes to create a bridging effect in improving nursing procedures as well as creating more responsive aspects by which patient-recovery is aided in a specifically effective manner.

Implications of Research to Nursing Practice Development

Nurses are expected to provide assistance and protection to their patients. Helping them out to get through with the medical procedures that they are undergoing, nurses are supposed to make sure that the patients are able to recover fast through assertive conditions of developing options of getting better in line with efficient provision of health-related services. It could be realized that the role of nurses especially in assuring patient safety and developmental recovery is crucial stage of their responsibilities. This is specifically because of the fact that they administer particular procedures that involve direct insertion to the human systems with the utilization of medical paraphernalia that are used to operate the transition of fluids from one particular medical container towards the body of the patient or the connection of a wired hose connected from one part of the body of the patient to another. In short, nurses are supposed to make sure that such procedures are handled in line with the desire to keep specific focus on how the operation is able to keep the health status of the patient intact and protected from any possible infections that may occur.

Defining the Problem

In relation to the research that has been examined, it could be observed how the researchers pointed out that the role of nurses are crucial in the process of recovery that the patients take especially when undergoing specific procedures like that of hemodialysis. This process involves getting the blood out of the system of the patient’s body and letting it pass through a machine to filter the fluid and return it back into the system of the patient’s body. The line connecting the patient’s body to the machine and back plays a crucial part in either cleansing up or infecting the blood line of the patient. This is the reason why nurses are expected to make sure that the said procedure is intact and specifically away from the possible courses of infection that might endanger the health status of the patient. Doing so would involve several procedures that include safety precautions on the part of the nurses handling the patient’s safety during the time of the medication.

Suggested Solutions

It is strongly suggested through the research that the principles of aseptic technique be implicated so as to make sure that incidents of HCV outbreaks that happened in the states that were examined by the researchers be specifically avoided. What then are the aseptic techniques that are specifically given attention to by the researchers? Some of the said principles include the following points of consideration on the part of the nurses as they handle medical procedures directed to patients undergoing critical medical conditions:

1. Only sterile items are supposed to be used within the sterile field which includes hemodialysis units found in particular healthcare facilities around the country.
2. Sterile objects become unsterile when they get in contact with unsterile objects or elements in the environment.
3. Sterile objects are prone to becoming unsterile once they are exposed in a prolonged time within areas where airborne microorganisms.
4. Fluids flow on the direction of the gravity hence when they spill on the ground, they should be immediately cleansed to retain the sterility of the area and the environment around it.

These are only four among the primary principles of aseptic approach that the researchers suggest to be specifically observed hence creating a more refined indication on how nurses should consider their roles in the healthcare facilities that they are working and the patients that they are working for. Extending their competence and improving their performance through these aspects of consideration specifically increase their capacity to save lives rather than to endanger the safety of their patients.

Expected Impact of Resolutions Provided

It is expected that with the resolutions presented in the research nurses would be able to keep track on how they handle their roles effectively and how they manage to provide proper service to their patients. Saving lives is the primary mission of nurses. Not being able to do so make them less competent in their field of profession. Hence, making them realize on the simple yet crucial points of their responsibilities such as keeping everything sterile and away from airborne and blood borne diseases hence making sure that the recovery of the patients is to take the proper path of development. The aseptic procedures and principles are then expected to heighten the capacity of each nurse to perform well as they are expected to do so.

Conclusion

This research is considered to be an overall presentation of the practical procedures that nurses could take into consideration to assure their service’s quality to their patients especially during crucial stages of medication. Making the best out what the research presents is specifically seen to have a great impact on how nurses perform their duties at present. Notably, such operations are to effectively impact not only the performance of the healthcare providers but the trust that the patients have towards the said professionals in the field of medicine. Increasing the competence of the nurses duly increases the capacity of the healthcare facilities to provide what patients need and comply with what they are expected to comply with.