New E-book Helps Nurses Identify and Prevent Three Most Common HAIs

American Sentinel University’s free e-book, ‘Are You Prepared to Identify and Prevent the Three Infections That Make Up Two-Thirds of All Healthcare Associated Infections?’ is a go-to guide to help nurses minimize the occurrence of hospital-acquired infection (HAI) risk factors and details basic prevention measures that every nurse should know to help prevent infections. The e-book is available for download at http://www.americansentinel.edu/blog/2014/05/13/strong-nursing-leadership-is-essential-to-reducing-hais/

“As a nurse, it’s important to be sure to do all you can to prevent HAIs from happening to your patients and save your healthcare facility additional costs,” says Judy Burckhardt, PhD, MAEd, MSN, RN, dean, nursing programs at American Sentinel University. “This e-book is a great resource for nurses to review information about prevention of and interventions for HAIs.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognizes the important role that nurses play in minimizing the occurrence of HAIs and have included nursing-specific interventions in their guidelines. As a result, hospitals everywhere are adopting evidence-based policies to reduce HAI rates and many are adding certified infection preventionists to the staff.

“Nurses can use an evidence-based approach to recognize conditions that might cause HAIs as a complication or breakdown in care and select appropriate interventions,” says Burckhardt.

Burckhardt says the e-book helps nurses prepare for potential problems before they occur, which supports their patient-advocacy role. These methods build the foundation for nurses to increase their leadership skills to become nurse leaders.

‘Are You Prepared to Identify and Prevent the Three Infections that Make Up Two-Thirds of all Healthcare Associated Infections?’ is a must read for nurses who want to learn how to use an evidence-based approach to prevent infections from happening. The e-book profiles risk factors and prevention techniques for the three most common infection threats in healthcare facilities today:

-Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI)

-Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP)

-Central Line Associated Bloodstream Infection (CLABSI)

Burckhardt notes that strong nursing leadership – including at the executive level – is instrumental in reducing the incidence of HAIs.

The industry-wide focus on HAIs has expanded career opportunities for nurses who want to specialize or move into management. Hospitals are in need of infection preventionists as well as nurse executive leaders who can direct the policy making process. Higher education is the first step toward landing these rewarding jobs.

Source: American Sentinel University