It is crucial to know the practices for patient safety and infection control because it enables

us to prevent patient harm and infection control issues and aid in reducing medical errors.
The five best practices for patient safety and infection control that I have found are
handwashing, use of personal protective equipment, disinfection and sterilization,
respiratory hygiene, and safe injections

Hand washing is a type of self-medication that effectively prevents disease. It is also the
simplest and most effective method of preventing the transmission of organisms found on
the hands. It keeps germs out of our bodies. Hand washing is crucial for everyone because it
removes microorganisms from hands preventing the spread of infectious diseases, especially
for people with weakened immune systems. Hand washing is the least expensive method of
preventing the spread of infectious diseases. It saves costs and resources that would
otherwise be spent on health issues. Hand washing is a hygienic practice that is universally
recommended. It is highly recommended by all medical professionals and is extremely
effective in disease prevention. Simply put, handwashing saves lives by preventing the
spread of germs. As a nursing student, it is significant to understand the importance of
washing hands before and after contact with a patient because hands can easily get
contaminated during any interaction, and many infections spread through direct contact.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is special garments that you wear to protect yourself
from germs. The proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is one of the most
effective methods for securing both patients and healthcare providers from contagious
diseases. This method is significant, especially when there is no effective treatment for an
illness has been developed, such as COVID-19. Personal protective equipment (PPE) has a
critical impact on its ability to prevent communicable diseases. Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE) protects healthcare workers from highly pathogenic pathogens by
preventing them from coming into direct contact with the body fluids and respiratory
droplets. It also reduces the possibility of germs being touched, exposed to, and spread.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) aids in the prevention of germ transmission in the
hospital. This can help to keep people and healthcare workers safe from infections. When in
contact with blood or other bodily fluids, all hospital staff, patients, and visitors should wear
Personal Protective Equipment.

Disinfection is a process that removes microbial contamination from inanimate objects,

except bacterial spores. Sterilization is a process that uses physical or chemical methods to
destroy or eliminate all forms of microbial life in healthcare facilities. Disinfection and
sterilization are essential to prevent medical and surgical instruments from infecting patients
and healthcare workers with infectious pathogens, since not all patient care items
need to be sterilized, the Healthcare Guidelines should determine whether cleaning,
disinfection, or sterility is appropriate, primarily based on the intended use of the item. Lack
of proper sterilization and disinfection of medical devices increases the risk of infection due
to breaking host barriers. With proper sterility and disinfection, non-invasive and invasive
medical devices can be used safely. It also guarantees the safe transportation of
equipment that needs to be packed and assembled for sterilization or disinfection.

Respiratory hygiene is a form of infection prevention measure that seeks to control the
spread of respiratory pathogens via droplet or airborne routes. Respiratory hygiene and
cough etiquette are critical components in keeping yourself healthy and preventing others
from becoming ill. Respiratory hygiene, like hand hygiene, is one of the basic precautions to
prevent disease transmission. Respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette refer to a set of
practices aimed at preventing the spread of respiratory infections in healthcare settings,
particularly those where patients, staff members, and attendees gather. It is possible that a
respiratory infection will not be recognized right away. The strategies are primarily aimed at
patients who are diagnosed and usually accompany patients to the dental setting who may
have undiagnosed respiratory infections, but they also apply to anyone with signs and
symptoms of illness including dental health care personnel.

Safe injection processes are crucial to prevent the spread of infectious diseases from one
patient to another or between patients. It is the most secure method of protecting patients.
The advantages of safe injection include a reduction in the number of overdose deaths.
While significantly lowering the permeability of consumption of drugs on the street, provide
a safe, clean, and secure location for users to inject. A safe injection causes no harm to the
recipient, exposes the provider to no entirely preventable risks, and produces no waste that
is hazardous to society. Safe injection practices can lower the risk of harm to the patient or
other health care workers while also preventing the spread of bloodborne pathogens such as
Human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis c virus, and bacterial pathogens. Safe injection
allows for multiple contacts with health care staff, social workers, and other individuals who
can assist users in making better lifestyles, such as through drug treatment programs.
References:
Berman, A. PhD., RN., & Synder, S.J. EdD, RN., & Frandsen, G. EdD, RN (2008, 2012, 2016).
Koizer & Erb‘s Fundamentals of Nursing Concepts, Process, and Practice (10th ed.). Julie
Levin Alexander.
Palmore TN. Infection prevention and control in the health care setting. In: Bennett JE, Dolin
R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious
Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 298.
Siegel JD, Rhinehart E, Jackson M, Chiarello L, and the Healthcare Infection Control Practices
Advisory Committee. 2007 Guideline for isolation precautions: preventing transmission of
infectious agents in healthcare settings 2007:1–219.