We are at the forefront of leading others in healthcare. Hand hygiene is not a new concept, but it is vital for good outcomes. The DNP must have a historical, biophysical and psychological knowledge (Zaccagnini, 2017). In 1847 there was an intervention trial in Vienna that demonstrated a decreased mortality rate when hospital staff washed their hands with an antiseptic (MMWR, 2002). This is a very early example of information nurses need to be aware of. This study was done long ago but the scientific information remains applicable. The DNP needs to be able to discern what information is relevant and what is not.
There needs to be collaboration regarding this specific problem. The CDC reports that in a 12-hour shift, a healthcare provider may need to wash their hands up to 100 times (Show, 2016). Healthcare providers often miss vital areas of their hands, such as in between the fingers and thumbs; many use gloves as a substitute and some don’t use enough aseptic products (Promotional, n.d.). This is a specific area the DNP could lead and collaborate with all disciplines to strive to get better compliance and make facilities safer for our patients.
References
Boyce, J.M., Pittet, D. (2002). Guideline for Hand Hygiene in Health-Care Settings. Morbidity & Mortality Report Weekly, 51, RR-16. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/rr/rr5116.pdf.
Promotional Materials | Hand Hygiene | CDC. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/handhygiene/campaign/promotional.html
Provider-Factsheet-508.pdf. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/handhygiene/pdfs/Provider-Factsheet-508.pdf
Show Me the Science | Hand Hygiene | CDC. (2016). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/handhygiene/science/index.html
Zaccagnini, M., Waud White, K. (2017). The Doctor of Nursing Practice Essentials. A New Model for Advanced Practice Nursing. (3rd ed). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett.