Role of Infection Control Nurse in a Hospital

Introduction about Infection Prevention and Control:

Infection control addresses factors related to the spread of infection within the healthcare settings (whether patient to patient, patient to staff & from staff to patient or among the staff) including various scientific measures, monitoring/investigation of demonstrated or suspected spread of infection within a healthcare setting. It is on this basis that common title being adopted is “Infection Prevention & Control” instead of Infection Control. The goal of a good Infection Prevention & Control Program should be to provide support to the hospital in minimizing the risk of infection to patients, hospital staff, physicians, students, volunteers and visitors. Considering that Nurse is in the constant touch with the patient and is also the important link between clinician and patient, the training program aims at creating large work force of empowered nurses, who can help in prevention and control of infection within the hospitals/ nursing homes and which is known to have huge potential in improving of clinical outcomes.

As per WHO, Infection prevention and control measures aim to ensure the protection of those who might be vulnerable to acquiring an infection both in the general community and while receiving care, in a range of settings. The basic principle of infection prevention and control is hygiene. 

Objective of Infection Control Nurse Post in a Hospital Set up:

1.      To provide Systematic Training to the health care workers in sciences relevant to infection control

2.      To enable the health care workers to be Aware about The Standard Practices of Infection Control 

3.      To facilitate key health care workers to take lead in the employed organization to Formulate Systematic Hospital Infection Control Program.

4.      To Enhance Managerial and Technical Skills in the field of infection Control.

5.      To Develop Critical Thinkers who creatively engage in nursing processes to improve healthcare outcomes.

Role and Responsibilities of an Infection Control Nurse:

v  Collection of data on daily basis for Urinary Tract Infection, Ventilator Associate Pneumonia, Surgical Site Infection, Central Line Associated Blood Stream Infection, Needle Stick Injury.

v  Incidence Reporting of bed sores, blood & body fluid exposures, Incidence of Phlebitis in IPD patient.

v  Collection of infection control data from OPD’s and minor procedures/investigations room.

v  Give presentation on infection control data in the Monthly HIC Committee meeting.

v  Collection of Surveillance data of all high-risk areas-OT, Labor room, ICU, NICU, PICU, and High Dependency Unit.

v  Monitoring and survey of Hand hygiene practices among all healthcare worker on duty time

v  Monitoring the care of Cannulation Site 

v  Monitoring the care of Urinary Bags & Catheters

v  Monitoring and survey of Handling of Sharps

v  Monitoring and survey of Bio Medical Waste Management

v  Monitoring and survey of Use of Personal Protective Equipment

v  Monitoring and survey of Linen management

v  Monitoring and survey of Sterilization & disinfection Practices throughout the hospital areas.

v  Implementation of Standard precautions Practices throughout the hospital areas.

v  Educate individuals and groups about the risk, prevention, transmission, and control of infection, disease-specific care, appropriate precautions, and appropriate assessments

v  To communicate with Staff / patient / relatives and give advice relating to Infection Prevention and Control as appropriate.

v  To assess and identify training needs and develop training packages to meet those needs.

v  Advice and support to all staff in the implementation of Hospital Infection Prevention and Control policies in their areas.

Written by:

Dr. Praveen Bajpai

Director of Ingenious Healthcare Consultants Pvt. Ltd.
Founder of Skill Sathi

MBA in Hospital administration, PG Diploma in Quality Accreditation, PG Diploma in Medico Legal System, M. Phil in Hospital Mgmt. from BITS Pilani, P.hD in Management, Certified NABH Auditor, Certified NABL Auditor, Certified Auditor for Clinical Audits, Green Belt in Six Sigma, Certified in Hospital Infection Control Practices, Certified trainer for International Patient Safety Goals, Certified Auditor for JCI 7th Edition Standards 

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