Preprocedure
If indicated, bathe patient with antimicrobial soap or antiseptic agent soap the night before surgery. Antimicrobial baths decrease the number of pathogens on the skin surface.- Administer antibiotic prophylaxis as ordered by provider. Prophylactic antibiotic administration helps reduce the pathogenic organisms.
- Follow skin preparation guidelines unless contraindicated. Skin preparation decreases the number of pathogens on the skin surface.
Postprocedure
Minimize patient's risk of infection by: - washing hands before and after providing care. Hand washing is the single best way to avoid spreading pathogens.
- wearing gloves to maintain asepsis when providing direct care. Gloves offer protection when handling wound dressings or carrying out various treatments.
- Identify risk factors predisposing patient to infection. A complete nursing assessment allows development of an individualized care plan.
- Monitor blood glucose levels and maintain under 200 mg/dL. High blood glucose levels increase the risk of infection.
- Follow the facility's infection control policy to minimize the risk of nosocomial infection.
- Maintain standard precautions. Wear gloves if you might come into contact with patient's blood and body secretions. Standard precautions protect you and patient from the transfer of microorganisms.
- Monitor temperature at least every 4 hours and record on graph paper. Report elevations immediately. Sustained temperature elevation after surgery may signal onset of wound infection or dehiscence.
- Monitor white blood cell (WBC) count, as ordered. Report elevations or depressions. Elevated total WBC count indicates infection. Markedly decreased WBC count may indicate decreased production resulting from extreme debilitation or severe lack of vitamins and amino acids. Any damage to bone marrow may suppress WBC formation.
Help patient wash hands before and after meals and after using bathroom, bedpan, or urinal. Hand washing prevents spread of pathogens to other objects and food.- Ensure adequate nutritional intake. Offer high-protein supplements, unless contraindicated. This helps stabilize weight, improves muscle tone and mass, and aids wound healing.
- Administer topical, oral, and parenteral antibiotics as ordered to eradicate pathogenic organisms.
- Teach patient about:
- good hand washing technique;
- factors that increase infection risk;
- signs and symptoms of infection.
Suggested NIC Interventions
Incision Site Care; Infection Control; Infection Protection; Teaching: Nutrition Therapy; Procedure/Treatment; Wound Care |