Senior Nursing Poster Session (Virtual)
Major
Nursing
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Dr. Jessica Nabor
Presentation Format
Poster Presentation
Abstract/Description
The emergence of a vastly expanding cosmetic industry introduces a new challenge to health care systems and infection control. An analysis of multiple research studies was conducted to explore best practice for dress code policy, particularly concerning artificial nails. Its importance to the health care setting includes potentially reducing the incidence of nosocomial infections, infection control, and increasing patient satisfaction. Current evidence suggests that nail decals harbor more gram-negative cocci and fungus than natural nails. Retrospectively, several national outbreaks of infection in NICUs and medical/surgical units have been linked to nurses who have worn artificial nails, and it resulted in the death or injury of over 40 patients. The CDC recognizes nail decals as potential hazards in infection control, and they recommend all health care workers do not wear them. Though most hospitals have already established “no artificial nails” policies, the prevalence of nail decals worn by health care workers in hospitals is still concerning.The aim of the revised nail policy is to promote staff compliance through positive reinforcement, goal setting, repetitive education, and leadership. The basis of the new policy is Florence Nightingale's Environmental Theory. Nightingale details the nurse’s responsibility of conditioning the client’s environment to optimize patients’ healing. Conditioning patients’ environment includes: proper ventilation, sanitation, and hygienic maintenance for health care workers and patients. Because health care workers with artificial nails cannot thoroughly eradicate microbes with handwashing, the artificial nails are a barrier to hygiene maintenance.Prohibiting medical personnel, who have direct contact with patients, is a simple and cost-effective measure to promote patient safety and manipulate patients' outcomes, as it pertains to fostering a clinical environment optimal for healing.
Key words: infection control, best practice, artificial nails, compliance, eradicate microbes, cost effective, healing
Spring Scholars Week 2020 Event
Evidence Based Best Practices in Clinical Healthcare (Posters)
Manipulating Patient Outcomes through Environmental Control: The Prohibition of Nail Decals
The emergence of a vastly expanding cosmetic industry introduces a new challenge to health care systems and infection control. An analysis of multiple research studies was conducted to explore best practice for dress code policy, particularly concerning artificial nails. Its importance to the health care setting includes potentially reducing the incidence of nosocomial infections, infection control, and increasing patient satisfaction. Current evidence suggests that nail decals harbor more gram-negative cocci and fungus than natural nails. Retrospectively, several national outbreaks of infection in NICUs and medical/surgical units have been linked to nurses who have worn artificial nails, and it resulted in the death or injury of over 40 patients. The CDC recognizes nail decals as potential hazards in infection control, and they recommend all health care workers do not wear them. Though most hospitals have already established “no artificial nails” policies, the prevalence of nail decals worn by health care workers in hospitals is still concerning.The aim of the revised nail policy is to promote staff compliance through positive reinforcement, goal setting, repetitive education, and leadership. The basis of the new policy is Florence Nightingale's Environmental Theory. Nightingale details the nurse’s responsibility of conditioning the client’s environment to optimize patients’ healing. Conditioning patients’ environment includes: proper ventilation, sanitation, and hygienic maintenance for health care workers and patients. Because health care workers with artificial nails cannot thoroughly eradicate microbes with handwashing, the artificial nails are a barrier to hygiene maintenance.Prohibiting medical personnel, who have direct contact with patients, is a simple and cost-effective measure to promote patient safety and manipulate patients' outcomes, as it pertains to fostering a clinical environment optimal for healing.
Key words: infection control, best practice, artificial nails, compliance, eradicate microbes, cost effective, healing