Identifying and Intervening in Incorrect Protective Isolation Techniques for Burned Clients
Introduction
Protective isolation is a type of isolation that is used to protect patients from infection. It is especially important for burned patients, who are at high risk for infection.
Components of Protective Isolation Technique
Protective isolation technique includes the following components:
- Hand hygiene: All healthcare personnel must perform hand hygiene before and after entering the patient’s room.
- Personal protective equipment (PPE): All healthcare personnel must wear PPE, such as a gown, gloves, mask, and cap, when entering the patient’s room.
- Equipment: All equipment used in the patient’s room must be dedicated to that room and not used in other patient rooms.
- Environmental controls: The patient’s room should be cleaned and disinfected regularly.
Incorrect Components of Protective Isolation Technique
The following are some examples of incorrect components of protective isolation technique:
- Not performing hand hygiene before and after entering the patient’s room.
- Not wearing PPE when entering the patient’s room.
- Using equipment from the patient’s room in other patient rooms.
- Not cleaning and disinfecting the patient’s room regularly.
Nurse Manager Intervention
If the nurse manager observes the new nursing graduate planning to implement an incorrect component of protective isolation technique, the nurse manager should intervene immediately. The nurse manager should explain the correct component of protective isolation technique to the new nursing graduate and ensure that the new nursing graduate implements the correct technique.
Example
The nurse manager is observing the new nursing graduate caring for a burned client in protective isolation. The new nursing graduate plans to leave the patient’s room and then go to another patient’s room without performing hand hygiene. The nurse manager intervenes and explains to the new nursing graduate that they must perform hand hygiene before and after entering the patient’s room to prevent the spread of infection.
Conclusion
It is important for healthcare personnel to be aware of the correct components of protective isolation technique. The nurse manager plays a vital role in ensuring that healthcare personnel are following the correct procedures to protect patients from infection.
Additional Information
In addition to the above, the nurse manager should also educate the new nursing graduate on the importance of protective isolation for burned clients. Burned clients are at high risk for infection because their skin barrier has been compromised. Protective isolation helps to reduce the risk of infection by preventing the spread of germs.