264. Hair Care and Healthcare Associated Infections

The Ashley O Show: Nursing Beyond the Bedside

As we enter into a new season here on the podcast, I want to play with a new structure that reconnects back to the nursing experience, and tactical advice you can use in your practice right away. Today, we are diving into two very different, but in some ways related topics: hair care for your patients, and the prevention of HAIs. Buckle in because this is a fun one!
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The Ashley O Show community is a space where nurses and caregivers come together to understand that their identity extends beyond the humans that they care for. If that's you, then join us on a mission to change conversations and redefine ideas over on IG @ashleyoshow! As always, message me with any feedback, comments, or questions on Instagram, or shoot me an email at [e-mail].
Time stamps:
The Nomad Journey (00:01:00) Ashley discusses her and her husband's digital nomad lifestyle and their upcoming move to Georgia.

Importance of Sharing Stories (00:03:49) Ashley emphasizes the value of nurses sharing their stories and experiences to build a supportive community and transfer knowledge.

Hair Care for Patients (00:06:45) Ashley shares her experience and importance of providing proper hair care for patients, particularly in the ICU, to help them feel like humans and address their needs beyond appearances.

Taking care of patients' hair in the ICU (00:07:48) Ashley discusses the importance of taking care of patients' hair in the ICU and how it can make them feel more human and comfortable.

The impact of small acts of kindness on mental health (00:10:57) Ashley emphasizes the significance of small acts of kindness, such as combing patients' hair and braiding it, in improving their mental health and overall well-being.

The potential consequences of neglecting hair and scalp care (00:12:01) Ashley shares a story about a patient with long hair in the ICU who developed a pressure injury on his scalp due to neglecting his hair care, highlighting the potential risks and consequences of not paying attention to hair and scalp hygiene.

Hand Hygiene Reminder (00:16:55) Importance of hand hygiene, the ease of getting complacent, and the impact of washing hands with soap and water.

Environmental Care (00:20:59) The responsibility of keeping the patient's room clean, maintaining a clean environment, and preventing the spread of infection.

Maintaining Sterile Technique (00:21:54) The importance of sterile technique during procedures such as catheter insertions, dressing changes, and trach care, and the responsibility of all healthcare team members to maintain sterile field.

Nurse Patient Ratios and Infections (00:23:47) Ashley discusses how appropriate nurse patient ratios can significantly reduce hospital-acquired infections, with evidence from studies and examples from California.

Workload and Nurse Burnout (00:24:56) Ashley explains a study that shows a correlation between increasing nurse workload and higher rates of urinary tract infections and surgical site infections, emphasizing the impact of overworked and burnt out nurses.

Cost Savings and System Improvement (00:26:08) Ashley highlights the potential savings and improvement in the healthcare system if the number of burnt out nurses is reduced, with a specific example from the Pennsylvania hospital system.