Impact of an Infection Control Initiative on Patient Outcomes

What We Do › Nursing › Other Resources › NIS Nursing: A Revolution in Progress › West NIS › Impact of an Infection Control Initiative on Patient Outcomes

by Olesya Malets

Significant strides have been made in the enhancement of our infection control program at L'viv Clinical Railway Hospital, and our partners at Millard Fillmore Health System, Buffalo, have been instrumental in ensuring our success.

In 1995, the surgical team from our hospital studied laparoscopy methods in the US. In 1996, we purchased our own equipment and established a laparoscopic unit. Our American colleagues helped our surgeons and nurses to implement this surgical intervention, resulting in a decrease in post-operative complications, reduced length of stay, and diminished pain. During a three-month period, 14 laparoscopic procedures were done. Nurses play an important role in the sterilization of laparoscopic instruments, contributing to the success of our infection control program.

In 1995-96 LCRH was involved in a Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH) project addressing transmission of blood-borne pathogens. By surveying staff working with blood, we obtained the information that we needed for our study. Medical staff contact with blood enhances the risk of infection by hepatitis B and C, and AIDS. The risk of infection can be effectively diminished if preventive measures are taken.

As a result of our program, contamination with blood-borne pathogens decreased by 25% when protective methods were used. The head nurses were leaders in this effort. The head nurses' role is expanding as the level of their education improves. All head nurses achieved the highest category level and are computer literate. Many of them continue to improve their knowledge at the nursing education center.

Infection control procedures initiated through our laparoscopy and blood-borne pathogen programs have decreased our overall infection rate and improved patient outcomes.

Olesya Malets is Head Nurse at L'viv Clinical Railway Hospital,
L'viv, Ukraine
tel/fax: +38 (0322) 33 30 88
e-mail: aiharailway@lrch.lviv.ua

« Go Back