Infection control is a critical component of every aspect of healthcare. Whether a patient visits a doctor’s office, undergoes outpatient surgery, or has an extensive hospital stay, infection control is an essential part of ensuring that the patient avoids contracting an infectious disease.
Need to Learn New Technology
Technology makes a difference in healthcare every day; some innovations are simple, and others are more complex. Fairly recent technological breakthroughs in this area include using UV light to kill germs, testing for diseases using noninvasive methods, installing antimicrobial surfaces in healthcare facilities, and creating antimicrobial implantable devices for people who need them.
Even when infection-control measures are in place in a healthcare environment, problems may continue to arise. In some cases, it may be difficult to figure out the cause. A real-time location system is a valuable technological asset that can be implemented to provide instant tracking of healthcare staff, patients, and equipment, as well as help optimize the results of infection control and prevention programs and staff training.
Need for More Technicians
Infection control is part of the job for every person in every healthcare setting. However, certain positions are on the front line of the ongoing effort to combat infection. Sterile processing technicians are a perfect example because effective sterile processing is crucial for hospitals to reduce infections and provide exceptional patient care.
Surgical technologists are another example. In an operating room, each person is essential to the surgical procedure. Every member of the team has specific duties, and infection control is an important part of that. Surgical technologists, also known as scrub techs, assist the entire team by managing the sterile field. In other words, the scrub techs follow the proper safety protocols to prevent infection during the operation.
Need for All Healthcare Personnel to Continue Education
Continuing education is essential in many fields, including healthcare. Continuing education geared toward infection control ensures that healthcare providers remain current about a wide range of infectious diseases, including how to recognize signs and symptoms, the treatment options, and preventative measures.
This is critically important: each year in the United States, at least two million people become infected with bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics, and at least 23,000 people die each year as a direct result of these infections. That’s why it’s essential for all healthcare workers to understand proper infection control procedures and use them every day.
We’re Here to Help
At 365 Healthcare Staffing Services, we specialize in the recruitment and placement of healthcare professionals in per diem, travel, and permanent assignments in healthcare facilities across the country. Infection control is a priority in all of them, so if you’re ready to put your skills to work, we’re ready to help you do that. Give us a call at 310.436.3650. Let’s get started!
