An Appraisal of Hospital-Acquired Infections and the Role of Nurses in Their Prevention at State Specialist Hospital, Bauchi
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Background of the Study
Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), also known as nosocomial infections, pose significant threats to patient safety, contributing to increased morbidity, prolonged hospital stays, and higher healthcare costs (WHO, 2024). These infections, caused by pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, are transmitted through direct contact, contaminated surfaces, and invasive medical procedures (Adebayo & Musa, 2023). Despite advancements in infection prevention and control (IPC) measures, HAIs remain prevalent in many Nigerian hospitals, including State Specialist Hospital, Bauchi.
Nurses play a pivotal role in preventing HAIs through adherence to IPC protocols such as hand hygiene, proper sterilization of equipment, and the implementation of isolation procedures for infected patients (Ogunyemi et al., 2024). As frontline healthcare providers, nurses are responsible for educating patients on hygiene, monitoring infection risks, and ensuring compliance with hospital safety standards. However, studies have shown that gaps in training, inadequate resources, and poor adherence to standard precautions contribute to the persistence of HAIs in healthcare facilities (Eze & Bello, 2023).
State Specialist Hospital, Bauchi, serves as a major referral center in northern Nigeria, handling a high volume of patients daily. Given the risk of HAIs in such settings, it is crucial to evaluate the effectiveness of nurses' preventive measures in controlling infection spread. This study seeks to assess the prevalence of HAIs in the hospital and examine the role of nurses in mitigating infection risks, with the goal of improving patient outcomes and hospital hygiene standards.
Statement of the Problem
Hospital-acquired infections remain a critical healthcare challenge in Nigeria, leading to increased patient mortality and a strain on hospital resources (WHO, 2024). Despite existing infection control guidelines, the burden of HAIs at State Specialist Hospital, Bauchi, remains largely undocumented, raising concerns about the effectiveness of preventive measures. Nurses, as key stakeholders in IPC, are expected to enforce hygiene practices and reduce infection risks. However, poor compliance with standard precautions, lack of protective equipment, and knowledge gaps among healthcare staff undermine these efforts (Okafor & Usman, 2023).
This study seeks to bridge the knowledge gap by evaluating the prevalence of HAIs at State Specialist Hospital, Bauchi, and assessing the role of nurses in their prevention. Identifying factors influencing infection control efforts will help in developing targeted strategies to reduce HAIs and improve healthcare safety.
Objectives of the Study
1. To assess the prevalence of hospital-acquired infections at State Specialist Hospital, Bauchi.
2. To evaluate the role of nurses in preventing hospital-acquired infections.
3. To identify factors affecting the effectiveness of infection prevention measures among nurses.
Research Questions
1. What is the prevalence of hospital-acquired infections at State Specialist Hospital, Bauchi?
2. How do nurses contribute to infection prevention in the hospital?
3. What challenges affect the implementation of infection prevention measures by nurses?
Research Hypotheses
1. There is a significant relationship between nurses’ adherence to infection control measures and the prevalence of HAIs.
2. Inadequate infection prevention training negatively impacts nurses' ability to control hospital-acquired infections.
3. Availability of protective resources significantly influences nurses' effectiveness in preventing infections.
Scope and Limitations of the Study
This study will focus on hospital-acquired infections at State Specialist Hospital, Bauchi, and the role of nurses in infection prevention. It will analyze IPC protocols, nurses' compliance levels, and barriers to effective infection control. The study will not include other healthcare workers such as doctors and laboratory technicians. Limitations may include variations in infection data collection and potential bias in self-reported adherence to IPC measures.
Definitions of Terms
• Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAIs): Infections that patients develop during hospital stays, unrelated to their original illness.
• Infection Prevention and Control (IPC): Strategies aimed at reducing infection transmission in healthcare settings.
• Hand Hygiene: The practice of washing hands with soap or using alcohol-based hand sanitizers to prevent infections.
• Sterilization: The process of eliminating all forms of microbial life on medical instruments to prevent disease transmission.
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