Nursing Practice Guidelines
Name of Student
Institution
I work in the oncology and hematology department. In this paper, I have chosen infection prevention in the oncology department as the nursing practice guideline I am discussing. Infection prevention and its control is one of the serious guidelines that nurses observe when treating clients. In my department, there is a standardized policy guideline regarding infection prevention. Comparing this policy guideline with some reputable organization and current research, I opine that it meets international standards as it agrees with the guidelines published by reliable sources as the American Cancer Association. The American Cancer Association (2013) emphasizes the vitality of observing infection control in the oncology units, owing to the low levels of the Absolute Neutrophil Counts of the patients. The same is echoed by the policy-guideline in my department, and the implementation and observance of the same are emphasized. Such ensures protection from infection to the patients, the staff, relatives and other stakeholders.
Infection prevention guidelines, like the topical antibiotic for prophylaxis in oncology clinics have at some instances been neglected (McHugh et al., 2011). Standardization of the infection prevention guidelines is a key milestone that supports their observance among the staff members (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2011). This view is also supported by Meyer and Cookson (2010), and a recommendation of the institution’s policy aligning with one of a reliable source is emphasized. Factors like a review of the policy after a certain period to tackle emerging issues like microbial resistance ought to be aligned in order to ensure that the health goals of the millennia are achieved fully. Considering all these factors, and the practice that I have observed in my department regarding infection prevention and control, I confidently argue that the infection-prevention guidelines in my department are in line with those of the American Cancer Association.
References
American Cancer Association. (2013). Precautions to help prevent infections during cancer treatment. Retrieved from HYPERLINK “https://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp” https://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp.
Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2011). Evidence based practice in nursing and healthcare. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.
Meyer, B., & Cookson, B. (2011). Does microbial resistance or the adaptation to biocides create hazards in infection prevention and control? Journal of Hospital Infection, 76(3), 200-205.
McHugh, M. S., Collins, J. C., Corrigan, M.A., Hill, K.D., & Humphreys, H. (2011). The role of topical antibiotics used as prophylaxis in surgical site infection prevention. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 66(4), 693-701.
