Infection Control Nurse

• Supervises the maintenance of the established protocols for infection prevention e.g.

isolation procedures, hand washing techniques used, the use of hand rub, change of

IV set, change of central line dressing, availability of supplies, terminal cleaning of a

unit, evaluation of equipment etc. in the hospital.

• Corrects and teaches staff whenever the need arises during rounds. eg unnecessary

use of gloves, improper handling of equipment, practice of aseptic precautions etc.

• Participates in the formal teaching programs during the orientation of new staff.
• Training the staff about the steps to be taken incase of an accidental

needle stick injury and the availability of hepatitis vaccination.

• Tracks down the source of an organism such as in the case of an outbreak of salmonella or MRSA infections. This includes environmental and personnel monitoring when appropriate
• Recollection of specimens from high-risk areas.
• Carries out surveillance through regular contact with all hospital departments,

particularly those providing patient care.

• Collects data-pertaining to c/s reports from microbiology department everyday.
• During ward rounds, should collect data related to dates and details -

a. Admission from home, nursing home etc.

b. Surgery

c. Culture sample and reports

d. Invasive procedures

• Keeps track of all patient with

a. Intravascular catheters

b. Urinary catheters

c. Medical/surgical wounds

d. Instrumentation of respiratory tract (ET tubes, tracheotomy tubes)

• The microbiology department in turn maintains patient wise, department wise and

data wise record of the culture and sensitivity reports. Following data is then

analyzed and interpreted together with the microbiologist.

• Thus able to establish:

a. An antibiotic susceptibility pattern

b. The rate of infection and the number of isolates grown

c. Intravenous line related infections

d. Wound sepsis rates

e. Urinary tract infection rates and

f. Respiratory tract infection rates

• Some of the information is then disseminated immediately, so that the required

precaution may be taken to prevent the spread of infection.

• Co-ordinates between different departments and the hospital and public health

Department.