Cross-Contamination Research Paper

The incidents and increased complications of diseases in hospitals continue to escalate. Cross-contamination is a concern because the spread of microorganism from room to room can rapidly become a big outbreak. Understanding the modes of prevention is vital for the success against bacteria; these responsibilities apply to everybody working and visiting a hospital. Using a good hand washing techniques, proper wear of personal protective equipment and sterilization of surgical equipments are the first line of defense in preventing cross-contamination in a hospital setting.
Effective hand washing is a key against the spread of bacteria; it is an easy technique to learn and can reduce the spread of infectious diseases among patients and staff. Healthcare workers should wash their hands before and after touching a patient, or performing a procedure. It is generally best to wash hands with soap and water; always avoid touching the sink. With a clean paper towel,
Sterilization is a process designed to destroy all possible forms of microorganisms, any surgical instruments that enter sterile tissue require sterilization before each use. There are different types of sterilization methods; the most reliable technique is using steam under pressure or hot air. Other sterilization methods include ethylene oxide a chemical agent, filtration, and ionizing radiation. It is important to maintain a sterile field; medical staff can use any amount of medical tools in any procedure. If the infected patient touches a sterile instrument or surface, that area becomes contaminated, and if another patient touches that surrounding could then develop an infection. In general, objects should be sterile, free of microorganisms after sterilization to prevent cross-contamination and management of sterile surgical instruments minimizes the