Patient Safety in Hospitals

Patient Safety has become a much used phrase in the medical world as of late, and hospitals and the powers that be are keen to make sure their institutions provide a safe and calming atmosphere for those that need medical care. In modern times, hospitals and hospital staff, including doctors, nurses, and surgeons, have made certain provisions in order to make sure patient safety is of upmost importance, and that those admitted to hospitals receive the greatest care and attention. One thing hospitals have been keen to prevent is central-line association blood stream infections. This type of infection can be extremely harmful if contracted, and the safety of the patient can be wholly reduced if the necessary procedures aren't put into place.
These procedures include taking five steps every time a central venous catheter is inserted - the first of which is hospital staff must wash their hands. After this, they must use full-barrier precautions, and then, clean the skin with chlorhexidine, before avoiding femoral lines, and removing unnecessary lines. Taking all these steps has consistently reduced this type of deadly health-care infection to zero, according to a study in more than 100 large and small hospitals. It's essentially down to keeping things clean and sterile, and being aware and high in concentration. Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are one of the most pressing issues facing our health services today.