title: Clinical challenges in isolation care.
abstract: In 2014, the authors published the results of a study investigating nurses' use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the care of a live simulated patient requiring contact and airborne precautions. The 24 participants were video-recorded as they donned and doffed PPE. Variations in practices that had the potential to cause contamination were noted. In this article, the authors comment on those variations, analyzing each element of proper PPE protocols and examining why the behaviors are a safety concern for the nurse and a potential risk for disease transmission in the hospital or other clinical area. The authors note that making use of reflective practice for complicated care situations such as infection control may help nurses improve decision making in isolation care.
authors: Elizabeth Beam is project coordinator of the Programs of Excellence Biopreparedness Grant, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) College of Nursing, Omaha. Shawn G. Gibbs is a professor at the UNMC College of Public Health. Angela L. Hewlett is an assistant professor, Peter C. Iwen is a professor, and Philip W. Smith is a professor at the UNMC College of Medicine. Suzanne L. Nuss is director of care transitions and nursing outcomes, the Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha. Contact author: Shawn G. Gibbs, sgibbs@unmc.edu. The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.
authors: Elizabeth
authors: E
authors: Beam
authors: Shawn G
authors: SG
authors: Gibbs
authors: Angela L
authors: AL
authors: Hewlett
authors: Peter C
authors: PC
authors: Iwen
authors: Suzanne L
authors: SL
authors: Nuss
authors: Philip W
authors: PW
authors: Smith
mesh_terms: D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003479:Curriculum; D004506:Education, Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D055819:Hospitals, Isolation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011482:Protective Devices; D014481:United States