A charge nurse is teaching a group of staff members about hand hygiene. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching?

A. Indirect contact transmission occurs when a person touches a contaminated object or surface and then transfers the infectious agent to themselves by touching their own mucous membranes (such as mouth, nose, eyes) or broken skin. In this scenario, the client acquired the Staphylococcus aureus infection by touching a contaminated towel, which is an example of indirect contact transmission.
B. Airborne transmission involves the spread of infectious agents through droplet nuclei (small particles) that remain suspended in the air for long periods or are disseminated over long distances. Staphylococcus aureus infections are typically not transmitted through airborne routes unless they are associated with respiratory droplets, which is less common compared to other pathogens.
C. Droplet transmission occurs when respiratory droplets containing infectious pathogens (such as viruses or bacteria) are generated through activities like coughing, sneezing, or talking, and then deposited onto mucous membranes of nearby individuals. Staphylococcus aureus infections are not typically transmitted through droplet routes unless they are associated with respiratory colonization or infections.
D. Vector transmission involves the transfer of infectious agents from one host to another by a vector, such as mosquitoes, ticks, or other animals. Staphylococcus aureus infections are not transmitted through vectors; they primarily spread through direct or indirect contact with contaminated surfaces, equipment, or healthcare personnel.

A. This information highlights the importance of improving hand hygiene practices among healthcare workers. Low compliance rates indicate a need for education, reminders, and possibly changes in the healthcare facility's policies and procedures to encourage better adherence to hand hygiene protocols.
B. Hand hygiene is indeed one of the most critical measures to prevent the transmission of infections in healthcare settings. Proper hand hygiene (either washing with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rubs) helps reduce the spread of pathogens from person to person, from surfaces to patients, and vice versa.
C. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers (gels, foams, or rubs) are effective and convenient for hand hygiene in healthcare settings. They are recommended by healthcare authorities like the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and WHO (World Health Organization) as they quickly reduce the number of microbes on hands when soap and water are not readily available or practical.
D. This statistic underscores the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and the importance of preventive measures such as hand hygiene. Healthcare workers play a crucial role in reducing HAIs through proper hand hygiene practices.
E. Educating clients about hand hygiene is essential for infection prevention, especially in settings where clients can actively participate in their own care (e.g., hospitals, outpatient clinics, long-term care facilities). Clients should be encouraged to practice hand hygiene, particularly after using the restroom, before eating, and after touching surfaces that may harbor pathogens.