Researchable Practice Issues Distribute Research Methods

Policy Assignment
Task:    Review policies, processes or procedures based on relevant research Recognise and identify researchable practice issues Distribute research findings hat indicates changes to colleagues

Title

Current policies in the focus of Infection control
To begin such an assignment the easiest and most practical way seemed to me is, to pick up a current problem. This also would have the benefit, if there are any changes indicated that such an assignment might help to improve quality and standards of nursing practice. The hospital wing currently faces multiple Staphylococcus infections of various severity and location. I tried now to investigate not so much how these infections occurred, rather more which factors are contributing and references back to
Consequently, the current policy of hand washing requires an adaption which must be based on current research. The importance of skin care Despite large amounts of such studies which confirm that alcohol based hand desinfectants achieve higher results in terms of infection prevention, a general sceptic is often notable, as well as common misbelieves. Most nurses still believe that alcohol-based hand rubs damage their skin more than hand-washing. However, alcohol-based preparations are much kinder to the skin than hand-washing agents because they are less harmful to the cutaneous barrier (as measured by transepidermal water loss) and dry the skin out less. Interestingly, the application of alcohols after hand washing can even reduce the irritation caused by the washing, probably by elimination of residual detergent monomers. (1) In a French study where1932 assessments were collected showed that traditional hand washing was a risk factor for dryness or irritation, while alcohol-based hand rubs caused no skin deterioration and had a protective effect even when used intensively.