3 Factors That Contribute to Healthcare-Associated Infections

Going to the hospital is no picnic. Just ask anyone who has recently been admitted to a health care facility. Some people dislike hospitals so much that they resist going there as much as possible. They are only forced to do so at the last minute when efforts of self-treatment fail or when a simple disease like a cold has evolved into something more complex requiring a medical professional’s help. One of the reasons why they fear the hospital could be because of healthcare-associated infections–also known as hospital acquired infections–(HAIs) which often times can prove to be more fatal than the original illness.

 

Three years ago, HAIs became a leading cause of death, which probably also increased people’s anxiety about being admitted in the hospital. However, if you pin down the factors that contribute to HAIs, then it would be a lot easier to reduce the probability of it happening. Here are some of the major factors that increase the risk of Healthcare-Associated Infections.

 

Poor Hand Hygiene

 

Hand hygiene is crucial in the hospital especially since healthcare professionals are handling multiple patients at one time. The hands are the most common medium for pathogens to transfer from patient to patient–who are all confined within the same healthcare environment. Although proper hand hygiene must be observed in any hospital or other healthcare environments, it’s so easy to forget this practice especially when things become so hectic and there are more patients than hospital staff. One way to remedy this factor is to provide a brief refresher course on how to maintain proper hygiene–especially hand hygiene–at all times. The installation of hand sanitizer dispensers outside hospital room doors is also a great way to remind the staff to cleanse first before moving on to the next patient.

 

Nurse Understaffing

 

Nurse understaffing is a reality that exists in a lot of healthcare institutions today. Due to being understaffed, nurses are sometimes forced to go on multiple straight hour shifts, leaving them burned out and driven to the point of exhaustion. This in turns affects their performance at work and in the medical industry, this is a very dangerous thing. In fact articles likethis have explained the link between nurse understaffing and increase in HAIs. The article based its findings on a study published in JAMA Pediatrics. Looking at the problem, one of the best solutions would be to hire more people to lighten the load and help each nurse perform better. This is easier said than done as most hospitals are quicker in letting go of employees than hiring new ones. Some healthcare institutions are also struggling with budget cuts, forcing them to retrench employees further understaffing their workforce. It’s not easy for healthcare professionals to work straight shifts so what they can do is to take power naps in between. Even just a short nap can help rejuvenate them rather than having any sleep at all.

 

IV Infection

 

When people get admitted in the hospital, their immune systems are already compromised, making them even more vulnerable to HAI. Their condition could take a turn for the worse when bacterial infection sets in especially when it enters the bloodstream. IV infections can be deadly like the tragic incident that happened in Alabama. One of the ways that bloodstream infection can be prevented is through the use of iv access ports that   disinfect prior to line access to prevent contamination. By doing this, the probability for cross contamination in between rooms is greatly reduced.

 

Despite your fears about HAIs, don’t let these stop you from having a proper checkup. A simple cold could turn out to be more especially if you’re not getting any better for weeks. It’s still safe to get a healthcare professional’s advice.

Categories: factors, hais, hand hygiene, healthcare, healthcare institutions, healthcare professionals, hospital, Infections, nbsp, nbsp nurse, nurse understaffing

Warning: The Environment Could Give Your Child ADHD

The majority of the research to date seems to indicate that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is hereditary, but a new body of research is coming to light which appears to suggest that environmental factors could play a part, too.  Exposure to these risk factors during childhood could damage the wellness and wellbeing of certain individuals, who then are at increased risk of going on to develop ADHD in later life.

 

It is difficult to understand the factors that may contribute to ADHD, particularly as there is no accurate test to diagnose patients with this disorder. It may be, however, that following a healthy diet and lifestyle and avoiding certain toxins in the environment can help to reduce the symptoms of ADHD for children who are (or are thought to be) affected by the condition.

 

Toxins during pregnancy may be a risk factor for children later developing ADHD. Pregnant women who are exposed, or expose their baby, to toxins such as tobacco, illicit drugs and alcohol may reduce the ability of vital nerve cells called neurons to function effectively. These produce neurotransmitters in the baby’s brain, and a reduction in these can increase the risk of the baby developing ADHD. Alongside a healthy diet, pregnant women should be careful not to expose their children to unhealthy environmental factors whilst still in the womb.

 

Processed food may also have a lot to answer for when it comes to ADHD. Children who eat a healthy, wholesome diet are much less likely to be hyperactive than those who eat an unhealthy, highly-processed diet. Health professionals have debated the link between diet and ADHD for a long time, and the FDA recently stepped in to look at this theory. They will be looking at whether Yellow No. 5 in particular (a food dye) can cause ADHD, as this has been banned in Britain and in other European countries already.

Categories: ADHD, Children, developing adhd, diet, environment, environmental factors, factors, healthy diet, Pregnant Women, risk, toxins

Emotional, Social, Physical: The Parts of Teen Mental Health

There are so many wellness issues facing teenagers today I don’t know where to start; you’ve got sexting, body image disorders, cyberbullying – no wonder teen mental health is so under threat! If you’re concerned about your teenager’s wellbeing, perhaps it’s time to consider therapy.

 

According to marriage and family therapist Esther Boykin, LMFT, co-owner of Group Therapy Associates, ‘Therapy is an excellent resource to help address [teen] issues, develop effective coping skills, and improve family relations. While I am an advocate for therapy as a way to prevent major crises as well as a solution for dealing with them, I know that often parents and teens struggle to decide if their problem is “big” enough for therapy. While nearly every issue can be helped by having the support and guidance that therapy can provide; it is not always a feasible option.’

 

So how do you determine whether or not your teen needs therapy? Boykin notes, ‘I find that most of us, whether we admit it or not, think of mental health either being crazy or not. The truth is that mental health, just like physical health, is a complex set of many factors. These factors can roughly be divided into three categories- psychological (or emotional) factors, social (or relational) factors, and biological (or physical) factors. You may even hear therapists and other mental health professionals refer to it as your bio-psycho-social functioning.’ Let’s take a look at what each set of factors looks like, so that you can assess whether or not your teen needs help.

 

1. Psychological/Emotional: This is probably the area of mental health that you think of first; your mood and ability to manage your emotions. Boykin explains, ‘Managing your feelings is not the same as stuffing or hiding them. In fact a healthy emotional state is one in which you feel a wide range of emotions, including so-called negative emotions such as anger, sadness and worry. Healthy individuals are able to identify their emotions and act in socially appropriate ways in response to them.’ Therapy and medications become appropriate avenues to pursue when your teenager has detrimental thought patterns, as occurs with anxiety, body image and self-esteem issues. If your teenager’s way of thinking has an overwhelming effect on their mood and behaviour, it needs to be addressed.

 

2. Social/Relational: There’s no denying we’re social creature, so it’s not hard to see how the way we relate to one another is vital in keeping us mentally healthy. When it comes to teenagers, developing and maintaining relationships is an important part of development. ‘Sometimes the social part of mental health is specific to one relationship in your life, such as getting along with your parents,’ Boykin comments. ‘But at other times, teenagers can struggle to make new friends or have difficulty maintaining a healthy relationship with peers…learning to establish healthy boundaries, resolve conflict, and maintain your identity within close relationships is all part of keeping yourself mentally healthy.’ The time to seek help is when your teenager’s relational problems become so overwhelming that it interferes with the management of day-to-day life.

 

3. Biological/Physical: We can overlook this component of mental health, but biology plays a role in many mental health disorders, hence medications can help with things like depression and anxiety. Plus, physical health problems can lead into mental health issues. Boykin explains, ‘Physical conditions such as obesity or severe asthma can change how you live your life possibly limiting your physical activity or your ability to engage with peers. These changes impact your social and emotional experiences.’ According to numerous studies, the most effective treatment for many physical disorders is a combination of talk therapy and pharmacology.

Categories: Body image, factors, health, mental, Mental Health, mentally healthy, physical, physical health, teen mental, Teenagers, therapy