On an orthopedic unit, what is the most important step to protect clients from hospital-acquired infections?

On an orthopedic unit, what is the most important step to protect clients from hospital-acquired infections?

• A. Identify clients who are at risk.
• B. Review hygiene practices with all clients.
• C. Restrict visitors.
• D. Lobby for the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

Answer: (A)

Preventing hospital-acquired infections starts with identifying clients who are at risk. By recognizing which patients have risk factors—such as advanced age, diabetes or other chronic illnesses, malnutrition, compromised immunity, skin breakdown, or the presence of invasive devices like catheters or drains—the care team can tailor protective strategies to those individuals. In an orthopedic unit, this is especially important because implants and wounds create additional infection opportunities; targeted precautions for higher-risk patients help prevent infections where the consequence is most serious. Once at-risk patients are identified, you can implement focused measures such as strict aseptic technique for wound and line care, timely removal of unnecessary devices, optimized nutrition and glycemic control, closer monitoring for signs of infection, and appropriate use of isolation or contact precautions when indicated. While broad measures like reinforcing hand hygiene, restricting visitors, or promoting alcohol-based hand sanitizers are essential to overall infection control, identifying those at greatest risk allows these resources and precautions to have the strongest effect where they are most needed.

Preventing hospital-acquired infections starts with identifying clients who are at risk. By recognizing which patients have risk factors—such as advanced age, diabetes or other chronic illnesses, malnutrition, compromised immunity, skin breakdown, or the presence of invasive devices like catheters or drains—the care team can tailor protective strategies to those individuals. In an orthopedic unit, this is especially important because implants and wounds create additional infection opportunities; targeted precautions for higher-risk patients help prevent infections where the consequence is most serious.

Once at-risk patients are identified, you can implement focused measures such as strict aseptic technique for wound and line care, timely removal of unnecessary devices, optimized nutrition and glycemic control, closer monitoring for signs of infection, and appropriate use of isolation or contact precautions when indicated. While broad measures like reinforcing hand hygiene, restricting visitors, or promoting alcohol-based hand sanitizers are essential to overall infection control, identifying those at greatest risk allows these resources and precautions to have the strongest effect where they are most needed.