Every medical procedure is accompanied by a risk of infection. Preventive measures in particular are key to avoiding postoperative wound infections. Since 1983, health authorities have published recommendations with behavioural guidelines, for example, what steps are important and when they should be taken.
Experts are currently discussing what amount of hand disinfectant should be used, and how long it should be left on for hygienic hand disinfection. According to a new study, the length of time the disinfectant is rubbed in determines its effectiveness. The size of the hands, or the amount used, however, are less significant.
Hand hygiene is still not sufficiently and consistently implemented. One possible reason is that medical personnel do not seem to be aware of how often they touch patients, and the surfaces inside and outside of the patient's environment. Such contacts can transmit microorganisms and create potential risks of infection.
In a stressful working day, healthcare professionals might forget to clean their hands every time it is necessary. By encouraging patients to remind nurses and doctors of their hand hygiene, compliance rates increase, which results in a decrease in infection rates. Although campaigns such as these may initially seem intimidating, they are bringing about a positive cultural change.
Chronic wounds cause pain and misery to millions of people around the world. Removing slough and biofilm through professional debridement is crucial for managing infected wounds and promoting healing. The monofilament device offers a very effective method for debridement and brings welcome pain relief to patients.
When wounds fail to close, medical assistance is needed. Here, measures to prevent biofilms from forming in the wound play a decisive role. Bacteria can lead to delayed wound healing – and this occurs much more frequently than previously assumed.
Before any surgery, there must be trust: Trust in the expertise and experience of doctors and OR staff, but also in the hospital's hygiene standards. Because even in routine procedures, wound infections - which can be avoided – unfortunately continue to occur.
